It’s not every day a Power Wagon surfaces with a backstory that reaches all the way to Hollywood, but this 1952 Dodge example—now for sale in St. Paul, Minnesota—comes with exactly that kind of built-in folklore. According to the Facebook Marketplace listing, this truck was once owned by actor Peter Fonda and came off his ranch in Livingston, Montana. For fans of classic trucks or classic cinema, that makes this one especially intriguing. Thanks for the tip, T.J.!
The seller reports 68,000 miles and says the truck runs, drives, and stops, a welcome reassurance for anyone used to seeing these mid-century workhorses parked in barns waiting for their second (or third) life. All the lights are said to work, and the truck has received “lots of new parts,” though the specific list isn’t detailed. Even so, a functioning, mostly sorted Power Wagon is something of a rarity—these trucks often lived hard lives and many were left to sit for decades before anyone considered bringing them back.
This one wears green paint with a black interior, paired with an automatic transmission and gasoline power. While Power Wagons from this era originally used manual gearboxes, the seller doesn’t elaborate on the history of the automatic, but it’s not uncommon for older trucks to pick up drivability upgrades over the years. What matters most here is that it’s running and road-capable today, giving a new owner a strong starting point for either preservation or further refinement.
Of course, the real hook is the claimed Peter Fonda connection. The seller says the truck came from Fonda’s Montana ranch, which adds a fun narrative layer whether you’re a fan of Easy Rider, classic American filmmaking, or simply enjoy the novelty of owning a vehicle with famous past stewardship. Provenance like this doesn’t change how a truck drives, but it absolutely changes how people talk about it.
At $26,000, the asking price reflects both the truck’s condition and its unique history. Power Wagons have been climbing steadily in value, and a running, driving example with Hollywood ties will certainly draw interest from collectors and enthusiasts alike.
If this old Dodge were yours, would you preserve its ranch-worn charm or take it all the way into full restoration territory?
Peter Fonda, you say? Never had the zing of his sister or old man, didn’t need it, probably Hollywoods biggest spoiled brats and played a so-so hippie in Easy Rider, that he just happened to star in at the right time. To be clear, it’s not an automatic, and with all the levers, may even have a dumping bed. Not sure the Peter Fonda thing does anything, it’s not like it was Ronny Reagans. I’m sure it’s the real deal, even the missing letters on the grill. $26grand, oh boy, he died in 2019 at 79 with little fanfare.
That’s one of those special three pedal automatics there Howard.
I remember when Easy Rider was released, it was a big deal. The movie was heralded as a new direction in American cinema and an example of how influential the counterculture had become. (It also introduced Jack Nicholson to a wider audience.) The listing shows a copy of a title with Peter’s name on it and also a photo of him with the truck in the background so I guess the connection is legit, unlike the “John Voight” episode which many of us are familiar with.
An automatic, it says? Unless my eyes are deceiving me, I see three pedals and a humongous shifting lever. Besides, what automatic would hook up behind that old flat head, and be able to pull this beast? I remember these as a kid too and even back then they looked old (this was in the 60s).
Interesting artifact that I’m sure will increase in value. GLWS
I prefer my white 1986 Ford Escort hatchback 4 speed radio delete.