1940 is the first mention of a "Dubl-Duti Package Delivery Unit" in Chevrolet literature.  I called them milk trucks.  Many years earlier, GMC made a Milk Truck that would roll 20' after the driver applied the parking brake to mimic old Dobbin, who would move to the next house as milk was being delivered.  When I was in Pontiac Mich., the home of GMC,  in 1956, I noticed they were still using horses to deliver milk.

        The 1940 - 46 Dubl-Duti used the manifold and updraft carburetor from the COE.  Unfortunately it was notorious for poor mileage.  The tall rear end ratios,  stop & go driving and aerodynamics like a brick, exacerbated the situation.  Many "dog houses" were modified to improve the carburetion.
  By 41 they were well established and the 47 - 62 vans had 2 very large front windshields, later used in the Ultra-Van motor homes.

     It was probably felt that a 1941  Art Deco   COE Panel  would be attracting the same buyers as the Dubl-Duti and was there fore not produced.
 
 

1947 - 63 Dubl-Duti with large front windshield.
 
 

    Prior to 1940, Chevrolet offered Delivery Vans (Dubl-Duti Package Delivery), most made by outside  body builders.

 Above  is  from the Silver Book.
 
 

    Ever wish you could walk back in history just to ask a few questions of the original designer of your vehicle?  I had that rare opportunity yesterday.  (It's 2002)     I was in Washington DC watching the Solar electric race.  The Electric Auto Club members arranged to visit the Boyertown Museum that had a large collection of electric vehicles.  John Montville, of the Antique Truck Club of America told me about 10 years ago that the van,  pictured below,  was made by  Boyertown body so I had a copy of the picture when I walked into the museum.  One of the curators made the mistake of asking me if I had any questions.
    I was introduced to 93 year old Paul Hafer who ran the business from 1924 - 1983.  He started making the forward control delivery van body in 1934 on a Diamond T  as they were the only company that offered a  forward control chassis.  
    The body pictured below was made from a Flat face cowl chassis by moving the steering box ahead of the axle.  GM objected to Boyertown altering the Chevrolet & GMC chassis to forward control.  Studebaker, Ford, International Harvester  and Dodge, did not.  He estimates there were 100 of these type of vans made that year on all makes of chassis.  
    
The 38 GMC Dubl-Duti (above left)  gives me hope that there's a 37 Chev Dubl-Duti with my name on it somewhere.
 
 
 
 

    Montpelier also offered vans in two sizes for 37 Chev chassis.

 
 
 

 I recently received  information about Montpelier production and proto types  from James H. Schwartz.
>
>"P.S. Its my understanding, that my father Harry A Schwartz and the
>Montpelier Manufacturing Company of Montpelier, Ohio designed the first
>COE forward control for Dodge in 1936 or 1937. During WW2 He (Montpelier)
>and several other companies built the "Deuce and half" cargo bodies for
>GMC - Studebaker and REO. The company (Montpelier) received the coveted Army
>& Navy E award for their effort. Post war they were a leader in the
>forward control (COE) truck body industry including consulting engineering
>for GMC, Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge. The Company was sold to White Motor in
>1959.
>A R Cosgrove was a force to be reckoned with because I believe, He worked for Chevrolet
>Commercial Truck Department:
>Chevrolet was caught "flat footed" in 1937. (Dodge, Studebaker, Ford, IH and others offered COEs in 37.)
> Montpelier with Chevrolet's  cooperation developed the proto type.
> The understanding was, The "Big Three" could have the COE as we know it today and the small body builders >could have a "niche" in the forward control and Milk bodies and Chevrolet would build the chassis.
> During the depression years "Montpelier" did not have manufacturing capacity to compete directly with the "Big >three" and others.
> The arrangement held pretty much held until the late fifties when Chevrolet started promoting "Step-van" [Union >Body] My Father, as I remember, shrugged it off but was not a "happy camper"  The handwriting was on the wall.
> Montpelier developed a small "PDQ" Econo-Van which White Motor Company  acquired in 1959 including >"Montpelier, Fine Motor Vehicle Bodies."
> The "PDQ"  and  other Montpelier bodies were successfully marketed by White until the fire on July 1965. My >Father was heard to say "My life's work as gone up in smoke" He died in 1982 with out any comment on pre 39 >COE's.
Jim S"
    My thanx to James H. Schwartz for the above information.
1959 Montpelier van

 
 
 
 

 Sorry, Still under construction!!