The original Dodge Power Wagons were much more utilitarian than the current offerings from Ram. This particular one is a Civilian model that was used as a forest-fire unit at one time, but it’s now available for sale here on eBay in Norwood, Minnesota. Let’s take a look!
During WWII, Allied forces needed robust machines for all kinds of duty and conditions, and American ingenuity produced rugged, no-nonsense equipment like the GM CCKWs, Willy’s / Ford GPWs, and of course, Dodge WCs that were the predecessors of the Power Wagon. After the war, the civilian market was eager to get their hands on such machines, so manufacturers happily obliged. Power Wagons like the one here were in production as early as 1946 and are considered by some to be the first mass-produced four-wheel-drive civilian trucks. The demand for such vehicles was great, and Dodge continued for a number of years, producing many, many units, in multiple capacities and configurations.
From the images and description, we can see and learn that this truck allegedly has only 14,000 original miles on it and is mostly complete, but it does not currently run nor drive. It’s covered end to end in patina and might have a few spots of rust, and it looks as though there is some fire-engine-red paint under the lime-green top coat. We can see a heavy-duty winch on the front bumper and a wide rear platform bumper where crews would have stood, and a neat spotlight/mirror combo on the driver’s side A-pillar. We’re told that the engine turns freely but the current owner hasn’t tried to get it running. From the looks of it, though, we wager it might not take that much to get it going.
All things considered, it looks like a reasonably solid base from which to start. The auction has 4 days remaining and the bid is at $20,000 as of the writing of this piece, so evidently someone really wants one of these! Can’t say I blame them, I want one too!
Get it running, clean it up, paint it and drive it. It’ll be here running long after everything else has gone..and be ready for more.
Here’s to the hope that the new owner doesn’t hack it into something it was never intended to be!
Reserve not met at 20,300. I was just watching a couple restored ones go through auction and they brought big bucks. I made the mistake of selling a 1963 m37 I owned just before the 2007 economic collapse. They are great old trucks.
Chassis swap onto anything produced in this century, and ditch the platform bumper
Of course–and another classic truck destroyed.
Okay, on a unit like this, the mileage is obviously not important. It’s foolish to make note of it, this old gal been through the wringer, 9 miles at a time. Besides, this speedometer probably failed shortly after the Cuban missile crisis,( 1962) and little, if anything could relate to what some may think a 14K mile vehicle would look like. It’s always cool to see these, the “standard issue” old time 4×4 truck, when people think “old truck”, but probably falls on deaf ears it’s shortfalls for todays driving, I couldn’t imagine anyone under 50, that doesn’t live on a ranch, would want this. Now, with late model RAM guts, be a different story.
I am right at 50, don’t live on a ranch, and would love to have one of these.
Awesome vehicle,as long as you’re not in a hurry. We had a few of these in Okinawa back in 69/70. Probably still running today.
I don’t need it, don’t have room for it, don’t have $ for it, but I sure have always wanted one. Maybe someday
They sure pull big money from collectors. But having owned several on our farm in the 60s & 70s I can tell you that engine is tough as heck, burns gas like crazy and way underpowered for the weight. It takes forever to get to max speed which is like 45-50 mph. It will do good work but more tractor like than a road vehicle.
i like it ………
For unbreakable durability, practicality, and functionality, these can’t be beat. Carry spare ignition parts, a fuel pump, tools, and a spare tire and tube, and you’ve got the perfect farm, forestry, power line patrol, or equipment repair truck. If every wire on it was destroyed you could temporarily wire it to get you home with ten feet of wire. Try that on your 2021 Ram, or your 1998 Chevy, for that matter. If I were worried about getting home under adverse circumstances, zero electronic components on board would be my choice. The only better set-up would be this truck with a mechanically injected Diesel, which only requires fuel and some way to turn the engine to start it, and you’re good to go. New trucks will do a lot that these won’t, but these will do things no new vehicles will do. It’s all a matter of context. It would be heartbreaking to see this rig “modernized” to its detriment.
When I think old truck this is exactly what I picture. I’ve never had one and have no use for one but I love it. It’s funny when I see a restored one I think why did they do that? Love those platform bumpers and winch in the front. I’d rather have this than a modern truck.
Cool old pic from Church Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s history page (near Richmond, Virginia.) Probably how this old workhorse was outfitted in it’s prime. Similar platform bumper and lighting…
https://www.chvfd5.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Retired-Brush5-1956-768×576.jpg
I noticed this truck has a Delaware license plate. I wonder if anyone recognizes it from any departments in the DelMarVa peninsula??
The FFPW is definitely the truest definition of the term “great old truck” A Power Wagon like this is going to give it’s new owner plenty of options on what they want to do with beautiful old beast!
I congratulate the new owner to be and wish him luck!
I had a forest job in northern Minnesota in the sixties where we used one every day, and it was tough! But it was hell to ride in, and ear protection wouldn’t be a bad idea. Floorboard around the shifter got really hot, too. I’ve ridden in vintage trucks including my own ’52 F-1 3/4 ton and while it was far from comfortable, it was a dream compared to the Power Wagon. I don’t mean any of this as criticisms on the Power Wagon just to make the point that it is just what it was designed to be.
What a really nice 4X4 I have a 1972 Jeep commando V8 Iove it wish I had that power wagon instead what a nice nice 4X4
What a nice 4X4 I have a 1972 Jeep commando I love it with little V8 in it I’d much rather had that power wagon they’re both nice vehicles I’ve always wanted on the Dodge power wagon that body style anyway nice truck love to see it finish all fixed up
The old PW like these just about in the middle between a pickup and a tractor, they are certainly overbuilt in many ways. Lots of folks opt to get rid of the L-head 6 which produces just under 100 HP and put in one of the newer diesel engines. Most all of them produce at least 400 HP and twice that in torque numbers, the PW driveline handles that HUGE increase in power with no problems. I have owned a number of M37 military pickups and I am getting close to being done with my 50 FFPW. It’s been a long haul on this truck but it’s better than brand new when I get it wrapped up!