Here’s one you don’t see every day, it’s a 1960 Dodge Town Wagon – sorta like an early SUV, Chevrolet Suburban style. Claimed to have been an Arizona resident, and a government employee, this people/cargo mover has the southwest sunburn (called patina these days) to prove its origins. Having been dormant for years, this Dodge is currently up and running and calls Saint Johns, Florida its home. Interested parties will find it here on craigslist where it’s available for $8,500.
Dodge offered both a Panel Wagon and a Town Wagon between the years 1954 and 1966 with the difference being the Town Wagon’s side windows and rear seat – in other words, a passenger vehicle as opposed to one outfitted for commercial purposes. This example supposedly belonged to the Forest Service and was used for whatever sort of Smokey the Bear kinds of activities that required a vehicle of this nature. Stylish it’s not but functional it probably is, or was. It looks rather solid and so claims the seller – there’s no indication of rot-through so that’s a good start. It seems to be complete too as in not missing bumpers, its grille, exterior lights, etc.
The interior is certainly agrarian in nature, and the hospital sick ward green color doesn’t help, but it could be worse. It should have a back seat and maybe it does but the images aren’t that revealing. The floor illustrates a lot of surface rust and the seller does suggest that both the driver’s and passenger sides will need to be patched. The cargo area is rough but hardly destroyed so rejuvenation shouldn’t be an overwhelming task. Regardless of the next owner’s intentions, whatever direction it goes will likely require a complete interior makeover anyway. Gotta love the simplicity of that instrument panel.
The seller tells us that this Town Wagon took a break from cruising around town about a half-century ago but he recently got it running and driving courtesy of a 230 CI, flathead, in-line, six-cylinder engine which makes do with a four-speed manual transmission. The seller states, “The original radiator has been swapped out, and I’ve added a temporary electric fuel pump. Everything else is as it was when it left government service“.
Maybe I’ve seen one of these before, I really don’t remember. The listing suggests that these didn’t sell well in the retail market but made their bones in fleet sales to organizations like the Forest Service – you know, tough, no frills, and probably sold in volume at a very competitive price. We’re told this one is a blank canvas so I guess if you’re interested, the world’s your oyster. I can’t imagine a stock restore but this could prove to be a cool rid with a different powerplant and a lowered stance – just for starters. That’s my initial thought, what’s yours?
Good write-up Jim. I’m not sure I have ever seen one either. Sounds like an honest ad from the seller, and like he and Jim note, it is a blank canvas. Some creative type could come up with a cool result. Even the “look” (the worn-away paint, that’s what I’m going to call it) is legit, and while I’d prefer fresh paint, I would be fine with it as-is. Interesting find.
Years ago I saw one of these heading down South Broadway in Denver with a “For Sale” sign in the window and gave chase, it happened that I had been looking for a Town Wagon for awhile. I caught up with the guy and waved him over to the curb. The truck turned out to be too rusty for me to deal with and I passed on it. I think that one had a 318.
Give it a nice paint job and freshen up the driveline and run it….don’t butcher the ol gal….
Hellcat swap!!!! Granted one would NEED to upgrade the brakes, steering, and suspension if they did that.
I am with Bob_in_TN in that I have never seen a Town Wagon before. This would make a nice runabout for someone.
I’d drop a 413 industrial engine in it with a newer trans n t.c and a front drive axle
NEAT! leave it be, restore it but lord hope no idiot ever bumps into it as you will NEVER find any sheet metal for it.
I’D snatch that flat head out and drop in an old School Hemi.. 354 or 392…
I’D probably leave the exterior alone…
Beautiful old Dodge…
Often wondered why they were still peddling the flathead six this year in trucks when the slant was making its debut.
Good point, both very good engines. Maybe they needed use up the flatheads. Never liked that reduction starter used on the slat 6 and other than not liking damp weather it was a smart design.
Didn’t they keep using the flathead into the late ’60’s for the old school Power Wagons built for non-US markets?
The author, Jim has just posted a true BF.
The wheels seem to be the only newer parts that was replaced.
I have never seen one of these before either.
Furthermore, i didn’t even know they existed!
I think I would shoot it with semi gloss clearcoat first, then roll around in it for awhile.
This would be inexpensive to do and a person could experience just how well they like it. You could always start modifying later, if you really didn’t like it?
The seller seems to be very straightforward in his ad. I don’t see any hidden surprises.
Just my oponion!
When I worked in the gas station (’74-’76) a regular customer had one of these, but they are a rare sight. I think one of the biggest reasons Chryco. didn’t sell very many was they used the same body style from ’54 to ’66. They updated the pickups, but left this the same. They got small upgrades over the years like the slant 6 and hanging pedals but nothing major. Also when Dodge came out with the A100 van buyers went that way.
I actually have seen a few of these for sale….a result of Marketplace OCD! They mostly have some govt history to them with Navy often. Rust is their downfall as it seems to consume them should they slumber too long in a fertile place.
I saw many of them still in service in the Navy in the 70s. Navy gray too!
One of these is resting in my town. A friend used to drive it years ago but he has moved on.
Cummings is calling for this nice truck, and 4WD. Get it up alittle where the air is clean and some aggressive tires with steelies. Prep it, clear coat and have fun with it. I can dream!
I grew up in a community with a large government employer. While the Town Wagons weren’t super common, there were a few wheeling around town that had been snagged at the auction. They were tough to miss at a time when all the government fleet seemed to be gray. A neighbor’s ex-gov model had a 318 and A/T, with that snazzy dash-mounted shift lever also sen in A-model vans and a few years of pickups. Nice to see one still around.
Well I can state my opinion living in Arizona. That Green Color is / or was used in previous AZ forest Service trucks. I missed my chance 3 years ago to get the Ford 1 ton 4WD decommissioned from their job.That’s the Green alright, so sounds legit. Nice truck, ‘patina’ and all.It should make someone happy who gets this rig.
Cool truck and not that far from me. Like the seller, I have no garage space and the Florida weather sitting outside would degrade it further.
Nice and original, but to keep it stock would have to use it in a very local area. I doubt it will do more that 60 and probably comfortable at 45.
I like it, hope someone buys and does right by it.
When I was a kid, NYPD had a bunch of these. Late 60s so probably slant 6. Green black and white
As the seller, i appreciate all the comments. I sold it yesterday to a guy who lives about an hour south. I would have loved to keep it and build it one day, but with my 67 ford and 68 international something had to go