The Power Wagon is just one of several vehicles inspired by automakers’ war experiences, but it is the first medium-duty truck to be made in a civilian version. It arrived in 1946, following Dodge’s WC series. It took a year or so for Dodge to settle on the name “Power Wagon”, with the company cycling through names like Battle Wagon, Farm Utility Truck, and WDX General Purpose Truck. Settled on a 126″ wheelbase, the truck was rated at 3/4 ton and offered 4WD along with a host of configurations and body styles for the jobs at hand: winches, PTOs, snowplows, cranes, tow hooks. The Power Wagon was produced until 1980, when the Power Ram was launched. This example – including an extra cab – is listed here on eBay, with bidding at $7500, reserve not met. A buy-it-now price of $9500 is available for eager beavers. The new owner will collect the truck from Trout Lake, Washington.
In the beginning, Dodge’s stout 230 cu. in. flathead six powered the Wagon, generating 94 hp. Top speed was about 50 mph. In 1961, displacement increased to 251 cu. in. and a Chrysler alternator replaced the generator and an outside-manufactured alternator used on some rigs. Other changes were equally glacial: it took until 1955 for the electrical system to shift to 12V, and until 1967 for Dodge to bring on a dual master cylinder. This example came with an NP420 four-speed synchronized manual and an NP201 transfer case. The underside reveals a rotted wood bed and heavy rust scale. Though this truck was running “a few” years ago, it doesn’t now.
The interior is as simple as a stone, with a vintage turn signal unit installed on the column. Note the split windshield, which most vehicles had ditched by the mid-’50s. In addition to resurrecting the mechanicals, the new owner will likely need to clean up the wiring in the cabin, reupholster the seats, and troubleshoot gauges and lights.
The seller was planning to make this truck into a crew cab. Nice idea, but let’s walk before we run: get this thing going first. As to value, the biggest numbers accrue to well-restored examples like this ’65 that was bid to $110k. Mid-’60s projects will sell for high four figures into the mid-teens depending on running condition. What do you think of this seller’s pricing strategy – in the ballpark, or off base?
Built for a need not for speed. These still bring crazy money in the worst condition as we’ve seen here before.
No, the seller isn’t out of line to ask that price especially for a WM300 notable with an extra cab in the mix.
Agree with you on the price being fair halftrack. This one has the potential to be broght back to workhorse status or restored to a historical timepiece. The PowerWagon was in a class far beyond what the light duty trucks were developing to be in the 40s and 50s. Hope it goes to a buyer that appreciates the bargain it is and the value it can be if brought back to life.
compare this real power wagon to a fake, mall-crawling, senior vice president owned “power wagon” of today.
Re: “fake, mall-crawling…” – that’s how I feel about most trucks these days.
And how’d they get so dam high?
Engine machine shop says F150 beds are a foot or 2 higher than when he started loading/unloading engines.
Don’t underestimate the power of decals.
Now there’s a 5mph ( or more) bumper for ya’. I had a windy comment about the price, but deleted it. I never thought a mere Dodge Power Wagon could garner 5 figures, and still don’t, but what is clear, is they are nuts. What is the attraction here? Years ago, nobody wanted these except for farm or industrial uses. The madness continues,,$500 bucks tops and only because it has a winch.
I don’t get the attraction as something to preen over in a suburban driveway, but I do get it if you have a piece of property where you can actually use it. My brother has had a 65 since the early 90s. Back then it was a toy we used to take the Pines and pull idiots of our mudholes after they broke their axles. But since the late 90s it has lived a good life in western Montana, where it regularly plows over 2 miles of private dirt road to get everyone down to the highway on snowy mornings. It also collects firewood and performs other interesting winching duties as required.
Another $500. for the second cab, especially if it’s in really good shape.
500.00 I would buy 30 of them for that price, if the cab is in good condition it’s 4 to 5k!
It will be a challenge finding a shipper to move that truck with the cab tied on the back like that photo shows.
not too many who buy these have a proper place to work them. A la the typical bat buyer. Even the owner has odd ideas (more room fr crew to travel to the wrk site). I dont think I’ve ever seen a ‘extra row’ one.
I did see a neighbor’s that was articulated in the middle. No, not like a crawler that bent @ waist but could twist ‘longitudinally’ as frnt went off camber L (let’s say 40* clock-wise) rear could go 45* R, in the other direction… and this was oem looking. I heard his was not the only one they made could do it~
You are thinking of the Willock conversion where the frame was cut and a pre built assembly was put in and the frame ends were attached to this. Pretty darn inventive and and they sold a fare number of them!
I have seen one crew cab version of these, which probably inspired the seller. If I recall correctly, it’s sitting on a heavily modified chassis running a totally different drivetrain that makes it much more highway speed capable (which a standard 67 Power Wagon is NOT!). In other words, a show piece.
My late friend Bob Ibbotson used to buy and sell these all over the country. As far as rust goes, this one actually looks like not much metalwork is needed. I learned to drive in a ’46 Dodge pickup, and those old sixes were indestructible, so leave it in place. Selling the extra cab will offset some cost, but overall this project will not be cheap.
I used to drive a 46 Dodge truck too, a WD21 one ton, back in 1977 when my now wife saw it. She fell in love with the truck before she met me! Actually, she was disappointed that I had short hair, amongst the other long-haired men. It was a faded red color, ran well until it would only start if I parked on a hill and popped the clutch. We saw it about a year ago after a long while. It was then black after two color changes. At a shop, requiring some work, but still almost rust free. Good metal. Good memories.
Just email a list of required parts, with your credit card information at the bottom, to Vintage Power Wagons. Soon, lots of beat up cardboard boxes (some still encased in cosmoline) will start showing up at your house to start the fun. It couldn’t be easier…. 😉
Cool now what, you dump 30k in to this old rusty thing use it in a parade one a year junk
Some folks here seem to have a real issue with vehicles that appreciate in value? Do you people have the same problems with old Corvettes and mustangs, or are they different?
Well, you couldn’t possibly include an old Power Wagon in the same sense as a vintage Corvette or Mustang. This is more machine than classic vehicle and as is, will only appeal to anyone that grew up with them. Hype( and the internet) have a wonderful way of making something out to be something it just isn’t, again, as is. Nobody mentioned an LS motor, although I’ve seen Power Wagons equipped with them, a modern diesel, or better yer, scrap the whole magila, and plop this body on a newer RAM chassis. Done.
Fifty plus years ago when we were off grid hippies these vehicles were the go-to and always reliable back country vehicle. Better than anything else when there wasn’t really a road to speak of and every other four wheel drive rig couldn’t make it. Archaic, obsolete even then, but what a machine! Made when America was a great country.
I have excellent memories riding in one of these along a power line in 3 ft of snow. I was the swamper at 13 yrs old. Amazing vehicles, always wanted one but could never manage to get one. Worth every dime when compared to what’s coming off of the production lines now.
Brilliant write up Michelle!
I love it, not only will it get you there and back, it will also bring “lesser” vehicles back with it.
I’d go down the restore/upgrade path, (V8 of course), but period correct, with go faster bits. Keep the partina, don’t need air, cruise, power windows etc, but maybe power steering and brakes. And the only soundtrack needed is the sound of a V8 at full song.
Now I have to start a search for a RHD one, thanks Michelle, not, lol.
You don’t need A/C, because, as long as you are moving there will be plenty of fresh air with the cowl vent and/or the crank-out windshield wide open. Cab is almost the same, for early years, as the Dodge rear drive only pickups.
When the windshield is wide open, keep your mouth shut.
A wasp or bumble bee at 40 mph comes in fast.