My new Baby !!!!

To G-Man - THANKS!

I've been lurking on this board for a while now. Last week you posted a craigslist ad from Madison, WI (I'm in Milwaukee). Here's what I came home with!! Absolutely love this van. It has the "A" code for the big six, new brakes, purrs like a kitten, has 3 rust holes in the driver's side rocker, and a folding drivers seat. It was a Mountain States Telephone van from Conrad, Montana according to the "OWNERCARD". Original paint (matching bumper) - you can see where the company logo was removed on each side just behind the doors, and along the lower edge of the windows. It is paneled on the driver's side, windows on the passenger side. Original wheels and hubcaps inside. Undercarriage is pretty nice and will be easy to clean up. 9" rearend. This old girl is amazingly unmolested, even the seat fabric is original / worktruck = no armrest for the passenger!!!! I'm wondering if the roof vent came with the truck because it is the same green paint and looks like it is "part of" the truck.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to doing a complete resto. Have done this before, but this van is amazingly simple.

Oh, I need a winshield if anyone has a line on one.

Thanks to all.

Rick
Milwaukee

Welcome to whats got to be the best old van forum on the Web!

RickWWW, Welcome to the site!!!! Glad I was able to help you find your early.
That folding seat is rare so keep it, Most Ma Bell vans have those vents, They normially are pretty heavy duty

Tim here on the forums may have one, if not my friend owns a glass shop and can get them

Rick,welcome to the site and congrats on your van.Looks like you got a winner.

Hi Ma'am, I'm from the Telephone Co. may I come in? I'm here to check your receiver....... Bow, chicka bow, bow

Welcome to the site Rick. Looks like you found a beauty.
Will follow your resto closely. What are you plans ?

mike

Nice score! Thats what we refer to as a "display" van. My 64 used to be like that til I changed to solid side doors and welded metal over the windows. I wanted a regular no window van but the vehice itself was rust free so I just eliminated the windows and went with it. Now you cant even tell the difference. Anyhow,Don Renner is near you and has lots of parts and info on these. He used to sponsor a meet every year at his place near Lake Lilly/Geneva area. I ve got a lot of stuff also if I can be of help.

Could not decide on a window or panel van, so it looks like I got both!! Will clean up the body and put a nice clear coat black on it. Will black out the windows. No front bumper, chrome the headlight surrounds and grill. Wood floor. Set of American Racing Torq-Thrust wheels - 5 spoke black with polished rims. Will pull the engine and freshen it up. Split headers for dual exhaust (out the back or sides / undecided). Not sure about the mirrors.

Any/all help comments/suggestions appreciated.

Questions:

1. How big can I go with the rims?
2. Why was it called a display van?

Thanks,
Rick

Not sure why they are call display van, but the purpose of the windows on one side was to see better and no windows on the other was for shelfing for equipment and parts

that is the best feeling having the stork drop off the baby!! and it just gets more fun from there. every month seems someone tries to buy my van. they are the best! welcome and congrats!!!

The only way I can remember the term 'display'(because I've wondered also),is like a 'display case'.Glass in front and solid in the back.But you do have great visibility.By the way,my gf was born in West Allis,small world.

Congrats on your new find. I should have a windshield for you I'll check tonight. I'm down here near Union Grove not far from the drag strip, let me know if you still need it.