Adventurer Package: 1976 Dodge Power Wagon

The market for short-bed pickup trucks is a funny one, as there’s lots of demand but also a fair amount of restraint as you don’t have to look too hard to find a decent deal. That may be why this 1976 Dodge Power Wagon Adventurer hasn’t been snatched up yet, as the seller is asking $8,000 for a barn find an example that does run but may have some internal issues; fortunately, a spare 440 that’s known to run will come with the truck, already secured in the bed. Find the Dodge here on craigslist and located in Lincoln, Nebraska.

I have been selling pickups for my uncle in north Georgia for some time now, as those seem to the most dependable vehicles for generating sales from his massive collection. We’ve sold quite a few, all short beds, and for market-correct prices. But it doesn’t take long before someone wanders up and starts talking about how they saw one go to Barrett-Jackson and sell for $30,000 or more. Sure, that’s possible – once it’s fully restored and has a restomod-style engine swap. The reality is we live in a land of plenty when it comes to short-bed pickup trucks, and the asking price here may be a bit ambitious for the work needed to make it into a runner.

The problem with the Barrett-Jackson reference is that it can lead to sellers asking crazy money for projects under the guise of the potential payday that will come with it once fully restored. It’s certainly possible, and this Dodge may even have some room left in the budget for improvements after it’s freshened up with a good engine, restored interior, and some clear coat sprayed over the patina’d exterior. But you can probably find a cheaper D100 short bed if you hold out a bit while acknowledging it may not be as rust-free as this truck or have left the factory wearing an awesome shade of orange paint. The other thing I like? The factory-issued bucket seats. You don’t see that option all that often.

The seller discloses that he believes the installed engine has bearing noise, so there’s the reason for the replacement 440 (which is still than most sellers will give you when a project may have engine issues.) The truck is also equipped with air conditioning and dual gas tanks, so the factory options list is fairly robust. With all that in mind, and assuming it’s as rust-free as the seller claims, he’s likely not all that far off in his asking price, and if you’ve been looking for one with these options and colors, it could prove difficult to replicate. What do you think – is this Power Wagon a diamond in the rough?