Different views of a similar 1947 Ford Sedan Delivery

History of the Sedan Delivery

A sedan delivery is a kind of sedan/cargo van contraption used back before the
cargo van had been invented.They hauled everything from plumbing tools to
dead bodies (note the lingering influence on modern hearses), and sometimes
even featured just one seat to allow more room for getting the job done.

Delivery sedans were popular from the 1920’s all the way up into the 60’s, and
eventually morphed into the modern station wagon we all know and love.

As vans replaced them, delivery sedans went out of fashion and the concept
became impractical. Compact sedan deliveries were later created by Ford and
Chevy in the ’70’s; that’s the Pinto and Vega respectively. These are better
known today as hatchbacks.

Since sedan deliveries are practically extinct in today’s production model lineup,
these cars are hotly sought after by collectors. They were used for hauling,
though, so restoration of these beauties can require extensive work.