While I enjoy writing for Barn Finds, I think I speak for all of the writers here when I tell you some ads make the job difficult. You have to type a lot to hit the word limits in online ads, but most sellers write as little as possible. The gifted crafter of this eBay ad is giving all of us a lesson in how to get a vehicle sold. If you want a truck that is as indestructible as an anvil, then take a look at this 1967 Dodge Power Wagon for sale on eBay out of Wakefield, Massachusetts. This well described Power Wagon is unique in that it is well presented in the ad and the fact that just 3,167 miles have rolled under its large tires. These details may explain why bidding has soared past $44,000 at this writing. Thanks to the dynamic duo of Steve C. and John S. for the tip!
The keys to writing an effective ad are organization and detail. The seller has broken the ad down to the following components: general history, body, frame, mechanical, interior, electrical, frequently asked questions, summary, and disclaimers. There are even videos posted for the buyer to peruse and an invitation to contact the seller for any questions. Add to that the picture section is loaded with detailed photographs of not just the truck in general, but detailed shots of what are known to be problem areas of this type of vehicle.
An example of the thoroughness of this ad can be found in the body section. There, through a set of bullets, we discover that this former brush truck for a fire department had a few repairs done to mask the cuts made to accommodate the removed fire apparatus. We are told that the holes have been welded up and refinished and to what level they are noticeable. Also, the ad states that the original wood bed has been removed and plywood secured in its place. There is even advice on how to convert the truck to a more conventional wood and mounting strip bed as other trucks came from the factory. Also included is an honest assessment of the paint.
The mechanical section of the ad covers everything from the tires to the engine. We are advised that the tires would be fine for farm use, but they will need to be replaced due to age and lack of tread depth. Those tires are mounted on date correct wheels, except for the spare. The brakes do stop the truck with a couple of pumps of the pedal and the truck has a rare under bed dual booster and an under-floor master cylinder master cylinder. A brake job is advised for the new owner.
The frame section of the ad is the shortest, but maybe the most important. We are told that the truck has a clean, straight, and essentially rust-free frame. There is also no separation from the inner frame present. The seller also claims that this truck’s frame is one of the best examples around.
The interior section of the ad goes into detail on the condition of the seat and the rest of the cab components. Trucks like this see a lot of seat time but relatively few miles in brush truck service, so the seat was recovered by the seller. When it comes to the seat belts, they are the originals. The dash still has its original padding and there is a crack in the glass on one of the instruments. A new headliner and original trim kit have been added along with door wind lacing.
As we have already discussed the amazing 3,167 miles on this Power Wagon, let’s take a look at the detailed description of the electrical system of this truck. It can be summarized in two words: everything works. From the headlights to the lights in the dash and even the heater blower, everything on this truck is functional. Given the difficulty and cost of replacing a wiring harness on a truck of this size, the seller will not have that expense to worry about.
Under the hood is the familiar Mopar flathead inline six-cylinder engine. These engines are well known for having a tremendous amount of low-end torque and for incredible reliability. This very late model of that powerplant displaces 251 cubic inches and is described as starting easily and it runs down the road fine. It is backed up with a heavy duty NP420 four speed transmission and a NP200 transfer case to power the four wheels. Everything about these trucks is proven and heavy duty, and there were decades of production to refine these trucks to perfection.
Perfection is a word that can be used to describe this truck. There are not a lot of vehicles out there that are this age with so few miles and a history of careful care. This truck would sell for a hefty premium no matter what the ad says, but I would be willing to argue that the ad has added to the price. When people are spending thousands of dollars in a world full of scams, misrepresentation, and vague ads meant to conceal flaws, detail and thoroughness counts.
The days of a four-line ad in Hemmings Motor News is over. Hopefully this ad will inspire sellers to go that extra mile.
Do you think the ad will cause the truck to sell for more? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Jeff, excellent write-up. I’m glad you focused not only on the truck, but on the outstanding ebay ad. To answer your question, I’m a firm believer that a well-written, detailed, informative ad (complete with many high-quality pictures) will bring more buyers, especially the serious buyers. Aside: In this case, I’d guess the seller is an engineer or accountant by training; the logic, organization, thoroughness, and detail are personality traits of said individuals.
Cool truck.
There used to be an “expert” among us commenters who said that lack of pictures & info doesn’t deter “serious buyers” (which he intended to be read as “better than you commoners.”) But I’m with you. Thorough info can turn a browser into a buyer. I don’t even want one and I got lost in the listing
I can’t get over the fact that these were being built into the late 60’s with that design.
I can’t get over the flathead in a ’67 truck!
This was, in fact, it’s final and only automotive application. Chrysler may or may not have still offered them for industrial applications into the late ’60s, but as far as automotive use, they were offered only in the Power Wagon until that vehicle was discontinued (not long after ’67, and that may have been its final year), having not made it out of the ’50s, if I’m not mistaken, in any other Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, or Chrysler models, being displaced by the overhead valve Slant Six.
If I may, I have a lot of respect for our writers, in our “workaday” world, it’s easy to grow tired of certain things that make the job harder, and to the writers, we can’t forget, to them it’s another busy day at the office, where ever THAT may be. I can sympathize with them, to a point. In my line of work, it was 4 wheelers that irritated me, but had to put up with it. It was my job NOT to run them off the road, as much as I wanted to It’s easy to want a perfect job, but there’s always something that holds it back, in a writers case, a poorly written ad. That, I feel, is the writers job to turn a mediocre ad into an informative one. We must remember, in most cases, many ads are posted by people who, under some duress, probably, have no interest in the item, or care. It’s probably one of the hassles of buying some property. I feel one viewing the ad, should know what they want, and not rely on the seller to “sell” them the vehicle. Otherwise, you’re asking for trouble.
This truck, sheesh, this is what I feel should have been done to the Diamond T, this is simply beautiful. These old Power Wagons seemed to be the universal “old truck”, even though I think they were made into the 70s overseas.
$50 grand? Cripes, here we go again, this was never intended to be a $50,000 vehicle, it was made to pull stumps for crying out loud. I highly doubt it will be used for anything even remotely related to stump pulling, and after actually attempting to drive it, with scary results, some element of remorse has got to set in, as the truck sits in a corner leaking coolant,,,
Or it could sit in a corner appreciating past this awful stock market! Either way, what a piece of history! I doubt you’ll see another one like this pop up for some time!
Of course writing good ads sell vehicles! I am amazed at how much I’ve sold my cherished collector cars recently! I write for Old Autos, a Canadian Automotive bi-weekly enthusiast paper. I’m always looking at Autotrader, kijiji and others to find original, one-owner, never driven in the winter vehicles. I don’t buy them to make money on, but enjoy them for a few years, all the time improving and repairing them (I don’t do the mechanical work myself but know the best places to take them to) and then move on. I remain friends with the folks I sell them to for years after and love seeing them keep those cars in the same shape. I believe I had saved many from a scrap-yard fate and that simple fact puts joy in my heart.
Nice post. The only thing missing is a note informing non-Canadian readers that “kijiji” is the equivalent of Craigslist, eh?
Keep your stick on the ice! We’re all in this together.
write up is good and you can see many of the rough spots on the truck he listed throughout by bring the pictures up close old firetruck usually dont bring much good thing he removed the fire equipment and welded up the holes and brought it back to a regular one ton pick up to be worth more
Wow!! This is fantastic!! Must be the only Power Wagon on the planet with so few miles. This is a REAL truck, not a boulevard cruiser, but even if you never use it to pull logs out of the woods it is still a spectacular example of what a REAL truck ought to be, and a rolling lesson to those who don’t know.
If I had an extra fifty grand or so that I could spare I would be right there with the money in my hot little hand. The first thing I would do would be to have a rear bumper installed as rugged as the one on the front, then I would have a bumper sticker made that said, “Computer chip? I don’t need no stinkin’ computer chip”.
I agree. A good write-up will work for you. And so will pictures. Why? Why do most CL and FB photos look like they were taken by a drunk monkey? Get a clue people. Look at the pictures at Bring A Trailer. Now that is how it should be done.
Rant over.
“How fast will it go? A: 45-50mph max. It has super low gearing.”
“Can I see it in person? A: yes, but will require refundable deposit, two forms of ID prior and local meeting spot with security cameras-sorry, too many scammers out there.”
Wow, what do they think is going to happen? Afraid that someone will mug them, grab the keys, and escape using surface streets?
Wait you mean an ad needs to say more than no spammers, no texts, and don’t ask a lot of questions? But what if you add all caps and lots of exclamation marks?
Then I go away and buy something else. Some of the best fun we’ve had buying and selling cars is getting to know the folks involved, some of which turned into life long friends.
the Dodge Power Wagon pictured is actually a 1956 year model. They were widely used in the U.S.Forestry division & in some other countries in Europe. It’s one of the better built 4×4’s that Dodge ever made, being that it didnt rattle & fall apart as it’s being driven ! A 1967 has a retangular front & a square off top cab, while the bed resembles fins with a retangular fold down tailgate & the bumpers fit the body much closer ! If the title reads 1967, its a typo on the title. The truck actually weighs 5,967 pounds, empty weight & will fit 33’s comfortably. With the old flat head 6 cylinder, it’ll get approx 22 miles per gallon, if driven EZ in 2 wheel drive & 8 miles per gallon in 4 wheel drive. Those trucks were NOT built for speed, so 45 mph was about tops for that old beast, though it will go faster, but hang-on cause it drives like a tank !
Warpigs you really need to research things prior to posting in a public forum. These were built from 46-68 for US sale and were basically unchanged in that timeframe. It’s a 67! The serial number is there and a quick decode confirms it.
In the early 1960s I drove the army version of this truck in the Canadian army. We would often pull the 6 inch howitzers with this truck with no problem. It was as this ad says as tough as nails and meant for daily very hard work. You never doubted the capability of the truck! Thanks for the good write yup on a. Wonderful machine!
Jim
Great ad and a great truck. You know the old saying, buy it when you see it cuz this one or one like it ain’t popping up again anytime soon!
It’s a nice truck and a very thorough writeup. But to call it “perfection” is wrong. With bald tires and bad brakes it would be dangerous to drive anywhere.
Brakes are always the first thing I bring back, due to some misadventures in my younger days!
(15 pumps of the pedal before my Flaminia GT would START to slow down would not be my style today…)
With so few miles on it why are the tires bald? Or did we miss 100,000 or so.
They actually don’t look bald, just Worked. As a former firefighter our brush trucks went through tires very fast, pretty much every 1500 miles. . They were asked to carry lots of water weight and drive through and over every terrain. If these trucks had hour meters it would tell the whole story.
Maybe swapped the tires out for a set of well used and kept the good ones.
ust a thought
kenzo
I had no idea these were available until 67′. I figured late 50’s early 60’s plus. Weren’t the regular trucks available in 4WD?
Hi GCS, I read, these “military style” Power Wagons were made for export until 1978. I believe most in S.America where 4x4s hadn’t caught on, and these still did the job.
I owned a 67 WM300 in the early 90s. I fell in love with 4×4 Dodges after having pulled several old dodges out of junkyards and easily getting them running and driving in the 80s while I was working on Ascension Island. I always loved these. Bought her from an old dude that had driven it for Orange county (Orlando) paid $1200.00 for it. Had about 16k miles on it (IIRC) and had been set up with fording kit. I put a set of skinny super swampers on it and had to shave the head down it had some blow by. I used it for fun pulling truck out of the black hole and work as commercial diver, pulled a bunch of boats up with it using the Braden winch and a set of gin poles on it. What a great truck. When I went back overseas I traded it back to the original guy I bought it from for a 72 Bronco that I could fit in my storage shed while i was gone. $40K???
like the older foriegn models (Landrover, FJ40) this is not for highway (our Scout, Bronk, etc were more dual purpose) & this may explaine it’s low mi. That prt of the state, altho touching the ocean I’d say it’s pretty urban-ish. (Next town over has the distinction of coining a disease from the mice/deer tick vector “Lyme”). I like it as it’s purpose built but probably nota lota dune or pine barren fires to put out therea bouts…
It is definitely a late 67 because of the described dual master cylinder (front and rear separate brake system) which became mandatory around 68. The grill is move forward about 1″ to make room for the larger 256 engine over the older 230 cid.
The seller was smart to sell as a non-driving truck. These may be the best looking trucks ever made, but that coincides with the worse driving trucks. The gas pedal was on top of the trans tunnel, the windshield was very small- poor visibility, hard to steer, under powered on the road etc. I used to carry an ice scraper to clear the inside of the windshield! For ride improvement adjustment, the seat had a rotating air valve to capture or release air from the seat as you bounced along like an air bellows. I agree there will be a lot of buyers remorse after the first long drive. It is real nice to look at.