Does anyone here have any photos of the Panella Trucking panel that drag raced years ago? Especially any that might even hint to the interior layout. If so, please give me a call at nine-o-nine 882-8489. Hopefully, thanx in advance!
I just searched for Panella and got 4 pages of hits. I know I posted one or two pix myself, but can't find them now.
I believe it was a Anglia panel. He had a Willys PU and a Anglia sedan also, all painted candy red. I don't have any pictures though. Pat
Note that Bill (@slixauto) Ganahl, Donny (@donovandagger) Welch, and the team at South City Rod & Custom are currently restoring Bob Panella's '35 Willys Panel:
Only recall their Anglia, there were a lot of Thames panels in 60's/70's drag scene. One of my favorites from the period.
Note that Bill (@slixauto) Ganahl, Donny (@donovandagger) Welch, and the team at South City Rod & Custom are currently restoring Bob Panella's '35 Willys Panel: Right! That's who needs them. I thought someone here might help them.
Bob didn't race that Willys Panel Delivery. It is a Stock restoration. South City fixed some of the body work,, a different shop did the interior wood and i believe Bob's own shop is doing the finish work. South City is restoring Bob's Anglia "El Padrone" right now, and then I believe they're going to start on his Opel GT that came after the Anglia. Bob also raced a '33 Willys for a short time in 1965. The Willys Pickup and the Anglia were probably Bob's most famous of all his race cars.
I worked with a guy many years ago that showed me a photo of the new white Willys panel that his dad bought for his plumbing business.
I don't have anything to add to the Anglia panel question , But I will say this. I have met Bob Panella at the Hot Rod Reunion and the GNRS. This guy is the real deal hot rodder , totally happy to shoot the shit with anybody who wants to talk hot rods past, present , whatever... He loves Drag racing .period.
I know I have posted a BUNCH of photos of the Anglia panel Thames of Panella in this thread https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/thames-panel-truck-gassers.1018345/ And some of the Anglia gasser in this thread https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/a-history-of-the-anglia-gasser.1032250/ But you will have to look through all the pages to find them OR use this search https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/search/254805089/?q=panella&o=relevance
I'm thinking that white Willys Panel trucks were a popular choice for small business owners in the '30s. Searching for pics of 1933-1936 Willys Panel trucks resulted in several examples of white (or light gray) Willys work vehicles ... including locksmiths, florists, bakeries, etc. (but no plumbers ) ... here's the pic I used to "photochop" the Panella Trucking logo onto:
Stan Back - We've established that the '35 Willys Panel that South City Rod & Custom is helping to restore for Bob Panella Sr. wasn't one of his drag cars ... but rather a "stocker" complete with the original wire wheels. Did you ever figure out which Panella drag car South City is requesting vintage photos of (especially pics of the interior layout)? HEMI32
@gnichols I think i found the ones your lookig for in my Thames panel gasser thread. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/thames-panel-truck-gassers.1018345/ But it's Ralph Panella not Bob and its not a gaser.
As I stated earlier South City is in process of restoring "El Padrone". Here it is in the shop at South City. It was made into a street rod years ago and is now being brought back to as raced.
Yep I think those are my shots. I was lucky enough to spend the day there at their Trucking Co. and got the full tour of his collection (insanely cool cars and boats) and got to ride on one of his big ride-on trains at the house. A trip to a winery was in there too around lunch time. I had a great time.
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