Just spotted this one in Somerset, KY.
1949 FORD PANAL TRUCK in Somerset, KY #3700146 - Go LSN - Local Sales Network

 

Aren't all trucks "panal" sometimes??

 

Hey, I didn't say they knew how to spell.... but it sure is a nice looking truck.

 

Paging Raytasch, paging Ray.... your wife's new truck is here!

 

No, No, No! I've never seen the draw to the panels as a driver. I had the privilege of driving a late '50s Ford panel, slabside, once in a while back in the early '60s and I absolutely hated to drive it. Perhaps it was the worthless mirrors they sported or the soft suspension . The bad memories linger still. No panels for the wife or for me.

 

Well, I'm just the opposite Ray. I drove a panel of my buddy's in the early 70's which we nicknamed the Mudshark truck, after the Mothers of Invention album, Live at the Filmore East. I've been wanting a Mudshark truck ever since...

Man, this one is a really nice looking truck.

 

Real men drive Panel trucks!

 

I live in Somerset where the panel is located, I have never seen it. They have a Cruise in once a month with over a 1000 vehicles and I have never seen it there. If anyone is interested I will try to find it.

 

Driving a panel truck is like driving any other normal vehicle with a 5 gallon bucket on your head that has a 10" slit cut into the front of it. You really have to depend on your side mirrors.

 

Reminds me of an episode of The Simpsons where Homer had a bucket stuck over his head and Bart drilled out two holes so he could see. I couldn't stop laughing when they showed him trying to drive home with it on.....

 

OK, we've had comments about driving a panel. You're spot on, BobJ. Looking back at my bad experience with the slabside panel, it was probably nothing that could not have been fixed with some suspension upgrades and larger mirrors. Perhaps the tires were 'flat' but it had an awful lot of body roll and just did not steer or handle well at all. Combine that with heavy traffic and it left a bad impression. I avoided that thing like the plague.
And, I've driven many vehicle configurations, sports cars, pickups, vans, box trucks, small and large motorhomes, and pulled various size trailers, so I am well aware how vehicles handle and the need for good mirrors. So, I'll leave the panels for you guys who like them.

 

That's a sweet looking truck. Just a little rich for my blood.

My only problem with a panel is that blind spot over the right shoulder. I have the same problem with the deuce and a half when the cargo cover is on. You have to properly position yourself in intersections, to be able to see what's coming on your right.