This isn’t your father’s Oldsmobile. Or Dodge. SUVs are more than all the rage now; they’re the quintessential commuter vehicle, and this one is meant for folks who are a bit on the rugged side. This 1964 Dodge D100 Town Wagon can be found posted here on craigslist just southeast of downtown Portland, Oregon, and the seller is asking $10,500 or best offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Curvette for the top Town Wagon tip!
And by rugged, I don’t mean harsh or crass, of course, I mean those folks who prefer an analog driving experience, and this truck is shown under the word analog if you look it up in the dictionary, or it should be. Don’t even think about heated and cooled latte holders or power-massaging calf-hide seats; this truck doesn’t have power steering or power brakes. Not to mention, there are no back seats for phone-staring teenage passengers to be coddled, while not looking out through the side windows at the world, thinking about the future, dreaming of what they may do with their lives after school is over. There is not only no Bluetooth or onboard wifi, but there is also no radio at all, but really, does anyone listen to a radio anymore? (other than me?)
Forget the air-conditioning; this truck doesn’t even have heat at the moment. The seller disconnected the heater core because it was leaking. Oh yeah, there’s also no warranty, so if something goes out, you either fix it yourself or disconnect it. Yet at the same time, this ’64 Town Wagon is incredibly desirable, at least in the dream world that most of us live in. We dream about a vehicle like this, back from “the good ol’ days,” at least until it comes right down to driving one every single day. I still dream about it, and at the same time, I’m as spoiled as almost everyone else is by modern vehicles and all their tech-heavy and often glitchy systems.
Fishing or camping duties are what I’d use this rig for. I would hate to haul tree limbs and other messy stuff back here; it’s too nice. I love the tone of the wood paneling on the doors; that’s the stuff I grew up with, that honey-colored wood. Another dream world that I’m living in, as much as I dream about owning and driving a vehicle like this Dodge. The Town Wagon was the one buyers bought if they wanted side windows and the ability to haul passengers with either two or three bench seats behind the two front seats, otherwise they bought a Town Panel. Dodge offered them from 1954 through 1966, and they’re decidedly 1950s-looking to me, another trait that I like. We saw a similar ’64 Town Wagon here on Barn Finds almost five years ago, and I think I like them even more now.
The floor shifter is mostly hidden in the interior photos, but I zoomed in on the photo of the rear cargo area here, and it shows the floor-mounted shift lever. Another feature that a lot of modern drivers don’t care about or want, even on their fun weekend vehicles. I use the term “driver” loosely, because when you’re piloting a vehicle like this Town Wagon, you’re driving, not just using one finger to steer, or no fingers in some vehicles. You almost need to evolve a third arm to drive this Town Wagon, which is part of its charm. The seats aren’t original, of course, but they look nice, and I’m sure they were a nice comfort upgrade.
The engine looks clean, but I’d clean it up even more by losing the red hose and repainting the valve colors to a factory color. Otherwise, this 318-cu.in. OHV V8 looks super nice. It would have had 200 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque when new, and was backed by an NP-435 4-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels only on this D-series. The seller says there is a patch on the passenger floor from a few years ago, but not much in the way of serious rust otherwise. It runs and drives well, and they just took it on a 450-mile weekend trip with no issues. Oh yeah, the tires are fairly new as well. I really like this Town Wagon. Are any of you into analog vehicles, or do you like all of the modern conveniences? I like both, but 20 years from now, I’ll still dream more about this analog era than I’ll dream about my phone connecting to the media player in my new car.
I don’t know…… No warranty??? I’m not sure about this. I completely agree about the “analog” driving experience. Manual brakes manual steering, manual transmission. Just feeling the gears as you shift, feeling the road as you steer. Standing on the brake pedal with all your might when a latte drinking phone fumbling Knucklehead does the “Jersey Slide” cutting across 4 lanes with no turn signal on. ( Trivia question, why do NY and NJ drivers NOT use their turn signals??? Because it will give away their next move 😆 ***insert rimshot here***). Overall this looks like a rather rare ( not many left) solid old workhorse. I’d be tempted to paint it, fix it up, but then again, how it sits right now is just fine. A tip of the hat to Curvette for finding this old workhorse and to Scotty for the write up too. I enjoyed it.
Analog in the best definition as in Armstrong steering and Saucer brakes-the driver’s eyes were big as Saucers when he hit the brakes and it kept sliiiiding along….
Price is a bit much IMHO but a great find-nice going, Curvette.
Welcome back, Scotty G.
LMAO! I think some of those drivers migrated out west. I’ve seen bumper stickers saying: “Horn busted; watch for finger.”
Growing up in and around NYC, I can confirm that a turn signal is more a sign of accomplishment rather than intention.
I love it I’d paint it not sure what color. I’d drive it as much as possible. I’d probably restore it. These vehicles make my heart melt. I once had a 49 dodge pickup. Also had. 59’ four door rambler American.
I like this truck. I haven’t the foggiest idea what I’d do with it, other than drive it around and have some fun with it but I sure wouldn’t kick it off my driveway, or out of my garage.
Obviously an engine swap as the one that would’ve come out would have to be a Poly head. Considerably heavier than the one that’s in the bay now. These newer versions are okay but they had a tendency to eat up the rockers and shafts. At least I always replaced them when I had one in the shop. Get the rockers off a 340 Six Pack and they were much better.
The NP 435 will work for a long time and never complain. We had four trucks on the ranch with them plus I had a couple of my own. Very few problems.
The paint is too far gone to just polish out and keep driving. A trip to the hardware store to buy some single stage urethane; prep and spray it on, and continue driving. Oh yes, I’d have to paint it a different color as my Better-Half would object. She hates green and frowned at me when I told her I was painting my ’47 Ford pickup the same ugly green it was when it left the factory…
“It runs and drives well, and they just took it on a 450-mile weekend trip with no issues.”
I’m sure the truck had no issues, but I for one would have major issues. Driving 10 hours in one weekend would beat me to death.
These wind so far around the ugly meter that they are attractive. The marketing team probably had to stick to radio ads, to sell them.
Buy it, drive it, ‘nough said!
On YouTube, Jay Leno has an episode featuring one of these – even a test drive. Search for:
“Jay Leno 66 Dodge Town Wagon”
Thanks!
Thanks, found it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSzXU7WLq7Y
Yes, not everything needs to restored.
Steve R
I think I grew a beard just looking at it!
This is AWESOME! I had a similar panel van in NC back in the early 90’s with no hear OR air conditioning! It got so hot in the summer you could bake bread in it!
All kidding aside if this was on the East Coast I would give serious consideration to making an offer; put in after market heat/AC; some suspension work and keep it the way it is! This is a rare and beautiful truck that deserves to be driven!
As for that 400+ mile trip he just took – I’d need an extra 20 miles to the chiropractor because these trucks do NOT drive well in their current configuration henceforth my comment about modifying the suspension!
Excellent find!
I owned and at one point drove a 53 Ford F100 panel delivery truck daily, and it was hot in summer with no AC. One good thing was the plenty of leg room versus the pickup. The single seats had good springs and were actually pretty comfortable if bouncy. I drove it 500 miles and return from Philadelphia to Detroit without too much discomfort though it was 95 degrees. As long as you are moving the cowl vent and wing windows help.
Gotta give it to Dodge for making a 1954 vehicle up until 1966. Only change I can see is along the way they switched to overhead pedals. With the debut of the A100 in ’64 these were on borrowed time. I think the Forestry Service used these in 4WD form. When I worked in the gas station in ’74-’76, there was a regular customer that had one of these, and that was one of the very few I ever saw. It would be neat if we could buy something like this now.
Nice truck. I love the fact that it has glass all around. I have a 53 F100 panel truck with no glass. Really difficult to see targets when backing up. Your head needs to be on a swivel…
Wow, I posted above before I read that you had the same panel delivery. Yes, when I was driving it daily in early 90s I backed into two cars! Paid to fix them. That is when it was saved for other times not daily.
Ha! I can always tell when the author gets back from a road trip, it takes a few posts for him to calm down. As a truck driver, I wouldn’t have made a dime if I thought that way. Driving is one of the most frustrating things we do in life, and multiply that times 8 million, bound to be problems. It’s why I stay home now.
These were a knee jerk reaction to the incredibly popular Chevy/GMC Suburban/Carryall, but for some reason, never made it. They had some success as 4x4s in a forestry setting, but not many of these. Splitting hairs really, which was tougher, Dodge had a lot of military might behind this truck, but not in the civilian sector. Great find.
You know ( early morn affirmation) if you are reading this, on this site, I think the author resonates most of our feelings. His sentiments of our past are burned in deep, and just from what we experienced, and what younger people don’t today, it’s natural to feel a bit lost. I “vorch” about this and that, but this site and what’s featured, are a piece of that past we can hang onto. Thanks SG
Well-written as always, SG.
It’s nice to see a Town Wagon that’s still on the road.
I grew up near a government facility run by the Atomic Energy Commission and a number of these, along with other Dodge products, passed through their fleet. They were, of course, painted an “attractive” gray color, though.
Their Town Wagons were dash-shifted automatics, if I recall, with the Poly 318.
In my youth I wouldn’t have blinked at a 450 mile trip in one of these. Used, analog trucks were very common around the time I got my license.
It’s too far away for me but I hope it goes to a good home.
Scotty, I still listen to the radio. Other people must listen too. Otherwise they wouldn’t broadcast. I hope it stays that way. Of course the younger folks connect their playlist to their vehicles audio system. So all that you really need is a Bluetooth speaker. This is another great BF find from Curvette and a good write up by SG. And of course the vehicle resides in the land of milk and honey for collector cars: the Pacific Northwest. GLWTS.
I still listen to the radio too. We have two oldies stations here in Tucson and I love to crank it up and sing along. These days I can’t hold a tune for beans, especially with the windows down at speed but it’s still a blast.
I radio is turned down so low in my suv I can hardly hear it,my 66 ‘ Mustang get a sports talk station and 2 Spanish stations,I listen to the engine and exhaust.
Mine! Mine! Mine!
Or rather, it would be if I already didn’t have enough vehicles I don’t use!
Love it!
👍🏻💪🏻😎
For the MOPAR guys-
Is that a Poly 318?
No. Appears to be a later LA 318. A good engine but a definite downgrade from the year correct torque monster poly.
Now here’s a real “goin’ to town” vehicle! Buy it, and scare the beta males driving their Lexus SUV’s and staring at their IPhone’s!
Ouch.. that hurt. I have a Lexus RX350 (but no IPhone) and beta I’m definitely not. Which is why it’s going away in favor of an early ’70s 4×4 Chevy K10 and probably an FJ Cruiser as my backup for backwoods travel in AZ. That Lexus is a heck of a lot of fun though.. for an SUV they’re fast and nimble and I can occasionally ease 23mpg out of it around town and over 30 on the highway, providing I don’t get too heavy footed coming off the line too often. I still tend to like to race folks on occasion when I get a chance too, yes it’s dumb and maybe dangerous but it’s a lot of fun too. I’ve met guys at the next light (usually after loosing) and they have a big smile on their face and gave me a thumbs up. Oh.. and the fast fun factor is going to be another motorcycle instead of a car for now.
Very cool truck with an updated drivetrain… My preference though is give it a good, not perfect paint job… a decent acrylic enamel! Some love the patina look… I say…” She’s got good innards, why not make her looks like she performs?”
It would be really nice if it had the original seats. Or seat.
Hi all – seller here! Thanks for the nice comments. I do have an original front seat frame(s) for the truck, but are in pretty rough shape. A little welding work needed & upholstery. Also have other spares including another 8-3/4 diff (non-post) with 3.55-1 gears.
Cheers,
Tom B
Thanks for the comment, Tom_B! This is easily one of the coolest trucks I’ve ever seen, best of luck on the sale. I wish I could grab it.
Very cool vehicle. Since I have a ’71 FJ40 I’m into the analog driving experience also. Back in 1971 a buddies brother and I headed to New Jersey (from the Chicago area) to pick up my buddy from Lakehurst Naval Air Station where he had just competed his basic training. Several people warned me about ‘Jersey drivers” and I didn’t figure that they couldn’t be any worse than than I had experienced in the inner city. BUT WAS I WRONG! Within the first 20 minutes of hitting the Jersey line I was passed on the shoulder (2 lane road) gravel flying everywhere. (And I have NEVER driven below the speed limit!) A few minutes later coming up on a 90 degree left a pickup truck with a slide in camper coming the other way did a beautiful 4 wheel power slide using both lanes! I was like “YOU HAVECTO BE KIDDING ME! ” That evening we went to Seaside for some fun on the boardwalk. When we got back to my car it had a parking ticket on it. I was parked right under the sign that spelled out the hours required to feed the meter and I was (according to the sign) NOT required to feed it. At that point was so over New Jersey, I figured I would never return. So I tore up the ticket and littered the pavement with it. (which is something that I normally would never do!)
I’ve always liked this generation of Dodge, though it was definitely dated by the 60s. But the original Power Wagon, out did it, they were around through 68 lol