1937 Ford Panel Truck Transformed into a Slick Harley Hauler

Ford panel truck has a unique loading system, beefier suspension and a stronger engine than stock.

While flipping through the Ford trucks listed for sale on ClassicCars.com, we came across this cool 1937 half-ton panel truck. While this would be considered a van by modern standards, this classic work vehicle has been transformed into one of the coolest motorcycle haulers we have seen. Not only have the drivetrain, chassis and suspension been modified to handle the extra weight, but a track system installed in the floor make it easy to slide a Harley-Davidson right up between the front seats for transport.

Here is a closer look at the features of this slick 1937 Ford panel truck, inside and out.

1937 Ford Panel Truck

Unfortunately, the listing is pretty short on details, but the ad does explain the basics of this 1937 Ford panel truck.

“This 1937 Ford 2 door half-ton panel truck for sale is a converted Harley hauler. Equipped with a Chevy 350 small block V-8 crate motor, air shocks, and custom steel frame. It includes power door locks, alarm, and power windows. The yellow exterior has some minor dents and scratches. The interior is finished with a black/yellow leatherette in good condition. Motorcycle sold separately.”

The specifications portion of the listing adds that this antique Ford is equipped with an automatic transmission. Also, it is priced at $40,000, which is no small chunk of change, but we imagine that it cost more than that to build this unique hauler.

Chevy Engine

The least attractive aspect of this 1937 Ford panel truck is the fact that it is powered by a 350-cubic inch Chevy V8. We imagine that the builder picked that engine because it is cheap to buy, cheap to maintain and cheap to repair. There is also an endless aftermarket, so if it is short on power, it is cheap to modify as well. We imagine that it does a fine job of moving this antique panel truck, but we would rather see a small block Ford under the hood.

Fortunately, it shouldn’t be too hard to yank out the small block Chevy and sell it to someone with a Camaro. The new owner can then use that money to buy a new small block Ford V8. Whoever does that will likely swap transmissions, too, so sell the Chevy engine and transmission and use the proceeds to buy a proper drivetrain.

Beefy Chassis and Suspension

This 1937 Ford is a half-ton panel truck, so we believe that it would have handled the weight of the average Harley-Davidson motorcycle. However, with the added weight of the loading track system and the heavy V8 engine and transmission combo, it was all likely too much for the original chassis and suspension.

This antique hauler is underpinned by a custom frame, featuring air shocks and heavy duty springs. Based on the images here, it might have a few leaks around the front end, but a proper Harley hauler should leave some fluid behind.

Good Looking Exterior

The listing states that this 1937 Ford has some dents and dings on the body, some of which are clearly visible in the pictures. While most people paying this kind of money would rather have a perfectly clean body, the issues don’t appear to be major. A good body shop could have the dents gone and fresh paint would transform this hauler into a show vehicle.

Aside from the few dents, this 1937 Ford looks great. The chrome all around the exterior looks good, the body looks relatively straight without any obvious filler and the modern wheels fit the classic look perfectly. The large graphic on the side might not be your thing, but for anyone hauling a Harley, the logo might be a keeper.

Functional Interior

The most important aspect of this Ford panel truck is the unique track system mounted in the floor. The system begins with a built-in ramp that extends down to the ground. There is a carrier of sorts that grips the front wheel of the motorcycle and a winch pulls the carrier into the cabin via a track system. When the bike comes to rest in its locked position, the front wheel is up between the front seats.

To make room for the front of the motorcycle, this antique Ford has two tall, thin bucket seats. There is also a Vintage Air control panel in the dash and a compressor under the hood, so it appears as though this classic Ford panel truck has a late model climate control system. Finally, the front and rear inner door panels are wrapped in leather while the sides of the cargo area are lined with wood and diamond plate.

If you are looking for an antique Ford pickup to haul your Harley-Davidson, it doesn’t get much cooler than this.

Photos: ClassicCars.com

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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