I can only imagine the stories that this Dodge could tell! If you don’t know what the WC54 is, it was a light 4×4 Ambulance developed during World War II and served as the US Army’s primary ambulance from 1942 to ’45, with a few continuing to see use during the Korean War. The seller doesn’t state what this truck’s history is, but it could have seen action overseas or it may have never left the US, who knows! Either way, it’s a cool 4×4 and would be sweet fixed up. If you’d love to take this Power Wagon on, you can find it here on eBay in Troy, Montana with a BIN of $9,300.
This truck has clearly been a few different colors over the years. It started life wearing Army green, appears to have been painted white, then red and finally yellow. While it would be fun to restore it back to it’s original Army configuration, this sure would be a cool truck to build into an off-roader and parts hauler. Repainted in a period correct Power Wagon color would look fantastic and make it really stand out.
We don’t get a great view of the engine, but we at least get a glance at it. The seller claims that it runs and drives. It appears to be the original flathead inline six and while not powerful, is a durable powerplant. It’s currently paired to a 2-speed transfer case, but the seller has a 3-speed case that comes with it. The seller notes that there is electrical work to be done, as it’s currently wired just to run.
It’s going to take a ton of work to get this Power Wagon ready for regular road use, but it looks solid and has a ton of potential. If you are a military buff, it looks complete enough to justify a full restoration. And, if you want to build a serious off-road wagon, this could be the one to build! So, if you were to take this truck on, would you restore it back to original or build it into something a bit more custom?
This truck is so cool!!!!!!!!! I have been watching this for a long time because he has been trying to sell it for a while…
And Josh….. Great write up!
I don’t think many of these were shipped back to the states after the war due to cost savings, but I could be wrong. Many ended up with the armies of the countries they were left in, many were sold off cheap to the locals. At least that was the opinion of some old timers I used to know who were over seas during those times, but their observances could have been rare. The I6 in these is maybe the greatest engine Chrysler ever produced after the slant six, my Dad used to swear by them (but he never swore at them, never had to)
There are wartime Caterpillar bulldozers still in Europe and the South Pacific, because the government didn’t want to pay to have them returned to the states. Many of them are still being used.
also pushed overboard into the sea as well……..
I recall that during the fall of Saigon but never after WW2. In 1975 it was so the valued materials wouldn’t fall into enemy hands, not so in late 1945. You could be right about sea dumping, but I have never read that. Of course, Uncle Sam never was too worried about cost as he personally never had to work, letting others support his expensive lifestyle.
I’d build it into something custom. Kind of a hot-rodded overlander build. With a Cummins crate motor…
Hot Rodded?
Overlander Build?
Cummins Crate Motor?
Ask and you shall receive!
https://desertpowerwagons.com/
I remember my dad buying one of these about 1976 for 300 bucks and driving it home at 40 mph. Put in a pony motor off a mixer. Same engine. He sold it some years later for 450 and a couple of guns
While on active duty in the Air Force, 1960-1964, I was assigned to several medical groups, these ambulances were still being used. Drove them numerous times, reliable, tough, dependable, not the somoothest ride, but got you where you needed to go delivering or picking up patients….
Seen a few up in the Yukon left over from the Alaska highway build and the North Canol road project, still a old batch of trucks sitting beside the road at McMillian pass,Yukon/NWT border.
The Yukon has lots of gold sitting around.
I Wonder if this is still available