What Is a Panel Van?
Panel vans are motor vehicles that are distinguished by a body that does not have windows on the sides or the rear of the design. Often used for the transportation of goods for short distances, vans of this type have been used over the years by florists, plumbers, electricians, and office supply businesses. The panel van usually has a load capacity that is similar to that of a standard sized pickup truck, but has the advantage of being enclosed, preventing inclement weather from damaging any goods during transport. The panel van has its origins in the early years of the automotive industry. While there is some controversy over who manufactured the first van of this type, there is common agreement that the basic design was well established by the end of the 1920’s. By that point, the panel van was not only used for transporting commercial goods, but also used by many law enforcement agencies as a means of transporting criminals from a jail to a courthouse, or even as a means of transpor
