One of the most popular decades to make fun of is the 1970s. I do it, too, I can’t lie. The clothing was over the top, and don’t get me started on disco as I was in rock bands back then. In the late 70s, Dodge introduced a line of trucks and vans called “Adult Toys” and this 1978 Dodge Macho Power Wagon is listed here on eBay in Springfield, Oregon. The current bid is $7,500, but the reserve isn’t met.
Ok, back to complaining about the 1970s. Just kidding, it was a great decade for me but what did I know, I was just a dumb teenager barely able to legally drive by the end of the decade. I started driving around age 13 but we lived on two acres and my dad had Volkswagen Beetles that he modified into Baja-type Bugs. What I wouldn’t have given for a new Macho Power Wagon back then.
Now that I can afford one, at least more than I could as a teenager, I’m wondering more than ever why I don’t have one. Hopefully a person doesn’t actually have to be macho to own one, because then I’d be out of luck. Dodge made the graphics-heavy Macho Power Wagon from the late 70s into 1980 and partially 1981. This Canyon Red Sunfire Metallic example looks pretty solid other than some rust on the lower portion of the fender on each side, which shouldn’t be a huge chore to fix. The seller says it’s solid otherwise.
Black bucket seats would have been standard in 1977 and 1978 and any good upholstery shop should be able to get this one looking fine again in no time. The seller says that the original but rough driver’s seat is included. The floors do look solid other than some heavy surface rust. This truck would be a show-stopper in perfect condition. Dodge showed a modern Macho Power Ram concept in 2016 but it has one glaring error in judgment: it has four doors! Nothing says macho like a family pickup.
A 318 would have been available but the VIN decodes to this truck originally having a 360-cu.in. OHV V8. The seller says that this 360 V8 is rebuilt, as is the transmission and transfer case. Unfortunately, the engine and transmission aren’t original to the truck. It runs “amazing well” and everything works as it should other than the gas gauge. I really like these pickups, have any of you owned one?
Why do you at Barn Finds continue to post dealer sales cars and trucks – like they need the money ?
Barn Finds is just pointing out where they are. They get tipped off by readers no matter who is selling. You shouldn’t begrudge someone trying to make a living buying/selling cars/trucks. It isn’t that easy, as the trouble with selling used cars is that people usually already have a used car.
Let’s see if it stays…….
Why do you at Barn Finds continue to post dealer sales cars and trucks – like they need the money ?
Because they often are good examples of vehicles we have not seen in a while or never have seen? Because it is enjoyable to learn about these models and their factory specs? Because not everyone is a private seller? Should I keep going?
If it bothers you, sir, browse elsewhere, but please do not indict the author/site for giving most of us exactly what we want, regardless of the source.
I didn’t have the Macho, but a long box Power Wagon. Pretty basic, but a dependable truck with 318/auto. I put a set of aggressive tires (not oversize, 235/75R15) on it and it would’ve climbed the wall if only the paint would stick. I love the bird bath hoods.
Mucho-Macho if it had the 4spd stik 😎 🤜
No Macho in my past(?) Scotty, but a great friend of mine had a new 77 Power Wagon SWB 360 just like this one. Duals and Cherry Bombs, I was so jealous. Once again, thanks for the memories!
My uncle Wayne had a Macho only all the colors were lighter as in browns and tan and my other uncle Dean had a black and gold Warlock 4X4. Both were 360 auto and had factory roll bars in the beds. Would love to have either one. Uncle Wayne’s was the only truck at the time that could climb Red Creek Reservoir dam. It had 4″ exhaust and Cherry Bombs. We were fishing on the other side of the reservoir and could hear a distant wah-ahh-ahh for about 10 minutes and all of a sudden my uncle is standing on the hood of his Macho jumping up and down and yelling across the reservoir. Don’t remember seeing anybody so happy as he was the day he conquered the dam. Lot of people tried, a lot of trucks died. Many sad days in the lives of those of us who lived up there in Fruitland. Will never forget what that looked like as long as I live.
Jumping up and down on the hood,man that’s really cool..
I hope I didn’t offend anyone from Texas, doing donuts firing pistols in the air, with scantily clad women hanging on to the rollbar in the box,,,that actually sounds like fun. A “Macho” is as good as a “Honcho”, at least Dodge didn’t emblazon that on the side for all to see. In the 60s and early 70s, Dodge had an identity issue. Old farmers bought Dodges when Studebakers and IHs went out. Then the diesel came out, won many over, and eventually the RAM, and skyrocketed them to 1st place. These were the last of what I’d call “traditional” pickups, ones that actually worked, not cars with a box. Most, if not all are rusted to the point of unsafe road travel, but many still have their spot next to the shed, with an old bucket seat, ( as shown) and no floor, ready to plow the drive. In its current form, it looks like it’s using gas standing still. I say, the truck is solid enough, ditch the V8, and a slanty would make this usable. Nice find, but we don’t need 8mpg V8 pickups anymore.
Can’t decide to laugh at the writer or cry over the the fact it’s too far for me to go look at it. Fine example of dodge hey days. Lil red express, the warlock the power wagon. The 70s were goofy I miss them. Trucks were trucks not the family sedan.
Dodge and Ford made some great graphics packages for trucks during this era. It seems a million miles away from the dominate white – gray – silver – black palette we have today.
Dodge and Ford made some great graphics packages for trucks during this era. It seems a million miles away from the dominate white – gray – silver – black palette we have today.
We poke fun at those graphics packages like this and Ford’s Free Wheeling packages, but they for sure were eye-catching. I wonder if there still is a latent sub-current of people who want brighter colors. I’m thinking about the nostalgia-themed “Heritage” package on new Broncos and Bronco Sports. I do seem them, with their bright Robin’s Egg Blue paint.
Simon and Simon.
Great looking truck. Some blood, sweat and tears would make it real show stopper.
Always dug these Dodges, particularly the ‘77-78 with this grille. The styling on these is clearly related to the ‘71-72 Satellite/Roadrunner.
Believe this originally had yellow wagon wheels with chrome center caps to make sure you didn’t miss it. Bet those center caps are Mopar unobtanium.
You are just keep posting what your posting because your readers enjoy seeing these vehicles no matter whose selling them. I for one being a retired guy recovering from cancer surgery look forward to your mailing because it’s one of the things in my day that releases my mind from dwelling on near death. Thank you for that! I had a 1975 Dodge power wagon shortbed 4×4. I was in my senior year of high school and had so much fun with that truck! I was working nights and weekends at a full service gas station all through highschool and everything I made went in the gas tank and to keep it running, tires, etc. but I loved that truck so much. Mine was a 318 4 speed granny low. It went up on the power line tram roads as good as any of my buddies trucks that were lifted shortbeds. Wish I had just saved that truck for these years I’m living now, I’d love to have it right now to work on and love again.
I had a 1975 Dodge Powerwagon, stepside shortbed with a 318 that was bought new by me. Had a lot of problems with the truck all it’s life. What sent me over the edge to get rid of it was the factory sealed automatic(no lock out) hubs failing. The cost to fix it was beyond me at the time…it was a nice looking truck though and certainly made some memories in it! I should have kept my ’71!!
I will defend the dealer just because they are multi car sellers and usually have a little integrity I hope . Private sellers are a one shot kind of thing and some are straight and some are KOOKS !! All good
Another Mark Worman vehicle from Graveyard Cars.
I had a ’76 short bed 4×4 AWD 440cid. I loved the truck and it loved gas stations.
I like the cars in the background much, much better.
Forgot about these. I’m the original owner of a stock 1978 SWB 4×4 D150 4 speed stick 360ci with factory dashboard tachometer (been told that tach is rare)!
Picked it up from the Woodland Ca. Dealer on Jan 18, 1979. Still use it on our property weekly. I like the Macho look and may give it that look in the future! Thanks for showing it!
My brother bought one of these in 1983. Same color and all except his had the 440. He lifted it and put 38.5 monster mudders on it. I didn’t like riding in it at all, I had F150’s at the time and they rode so much better and no where near as squirrely. In the spring of 1987 he came by the house to pick me up and I said I didn’t want to go anywhere that night and I was so fortunate to have done that as later that night he ran off the road and hit a culvert. I saw no way for a passenger to have survived that crash, as it was, Dennis had a broken ankle, broken wrist and a bunch deep cuts. So lucky to have survived that time period
Auction update: this one sold for $15,000!