I was never there, but this 1973 Dodge Power Wagon looks like a picture of Southern California in 1973. Throw a couple dirt bikes in the bed, or maybe a small camper on the back, and you could be heading out to the desert or the lake in your big creamsicle-colored Dodge. It even has slot mags. Glorious. The seller is presenting the Power Wagon as a one-family-owned truck (until now…I presume it’s a dealer who’s selling it) passed from stepdad to stepson. The stepdad apparently used it to tow his “dune buggies and sand rails up to the desert” and go camping with the family. It’s been all cleaned up, it’s big-block swapped, and it’s for sale with no reserve on eBay in Fontana, California. The high bid is currently $4,650 with three days to go on the auction.
The Power Wagons were surprisingly only available with the 225 Slant Six, the 318, or the 360 – no big blocks at all. Greg, the stepson, said in the seller’s video that his stepdad was a mechanical guy and decided he wanted more power, so he installed the 440 himself. Not much information is forthcoming about the engine itself except that it starts and runs well with no smoke, and the test drive video didn’t raise any red flags. The 1973 model year was the first that Mopar’s electronic ignition was standard equipment, and you can still see the ignition module in some of the seller’s engine shots. It’s an air conditioned truck, too, but no comments were made about its current status. There’s an Edelbrock four barrel under the open air cleaner and some ’80s-parts-store-approved spark plug wires, but it looks like a sanitary conversion.
This truck is an “Adventurer Sport,” based on the advertisement and the badging, and that was really an exterior AND interior combination. The Adventurer exterior gave the buyer some extra bright trim, while the Adventurer Sport interior gave you built-in armrests, a “foam core headliner,” a woodgrain instrument panel, and a factory tachometer in the case of this truck, among other convenience and appearance items. The beige bench seat beneath the seat cover is still intact but has a few tears, as one might expect from an original truck.
Yes, it has a CB radio.
The undercarriage is California-clean with almost no rust, while one paint job in the original orange was applied sometime in the early ’90s. The seller is a little vague on the fuel system; the item description says that the gas in the tank was old, so it was hooked to an auxiliary fuel supply, after which it started right up. That implies that it’s still running on that auxiliary supply, but I don’t see any evidence of that in the pictures (but perhaps I missed them?). Assume it needs a little fuel system work.
One last thing that raised an eyebrow was this California Assigned Identification Number; perhaps our California readership can expound upon the vagaries of the Golden State’s DMV rules. The VIN itself matches up with the truck’s equipment (and it tells us that this was originally a 360 two-barrel Power Wagon), so that’s good. Regardless, this is a truck that looks like a lot of fun and is certainly “of an era.” If you want to go out and have fun with your family, friends, or by yourself in a nice-looking old Dodge, there are worse places to start.
I’m no DMV expert but this is from the Ca vehicle code. Maybe the 440 engine got put in before the transfer of title to the stepson, who had someone catch the mismatch with the VIN number, hence the CAI number update? If you search the Jalopy Journal or the HAMB there are articles on what people had to do to get registered
1.165 Vehicle Verifications
DMV may require a physical inspection of a vehicle (verification of vehicle) prior to completing a vehicle registration application.
A verification of vehicle is always required for:
Registration of a vehicle last registered out of state (see exceptions on the next page).
Reregistration of a previous “junk” or “salvage” vehicle, unless the application contains a CHP Certificate of Inspection (CHP 97C) form.
Registration of a specially constructed (SPCNS) motor vehicle or trailer.
A vehicle for which DMV does not have a record, except a new vehicle reported sold by a licensed California dealer on an Application for Registration of a New Vehicle (REG 397) form.
RECORDING AN ENGINE CHANGE, MOTORCYCLE ENGINE CASE CHANGE, OR CHANGE FROM ENGINE NUMBER TO VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN).
Assignment of an identifying VIN number by DMV.
When the VIN shown on certificates is different from the VIN shown on record (including vehicles being junked).
Looking at this old Dodge really brings back memories. When I first saw it, I couldn’t help but notice how ” Period correct” it is. I don’t remember ever seeing a facory tach before which is a treat. I really like the slotted rims and tire size. Very much what you’d find in the early to mid 70’s, including the color combination. I’m no DMV expert either, but I’d definitely want all the paperwork to be clear before buying this one. Otherwise its a nice find, looks solid.
Mine is a 72 Adventurer but just like this one same color and interior. I have owned mine for 48 years with a 360. I am restoring it now. Bought it off the original owner who traded it in for 77 powerwagon
Nice looking old Dodge. Fifty years ago these were arguably the most contemporary looking pickup available. The biggest motor was not offered due to front axle weight rating. The 200 and 300 were expected to accept the weight of a snow plow on the front end and the engine weight would have been too much to do any work.
Love it.
Love the 8 lug aluminum spuns,as we called them back in the day..
I dont think it is a Power Wagon. I have a 1979 Power wagon it has the Power Wagon Badges and a big heavy skid plate. I bet this truck does not have either. Nice looking truck I like it. Mine has a 360. I have been driving mine for 22 years it will go through snow 30 inches deep and you dont have to worry about denting or bending the sheet metal like a new truck. I also go to the gravel pit and have the loader dump 3500lbs stone the bed. you cant do that with any new truck. They whistle and hum and moan and shimmer when you reach speeds above 60. Hot and rugged but the wing window is nice. You must be Manley Man to drive and appreciate the 1970s Dodge no frills. Dont buy this one if your expecting a smooth quite ride..lol
When I began selling Dodge trucks in ’91 people bought them for their value and because you couldn’t bend them. They rode awful when empty but the guy said “add a 1000 lbs to her and she’ll plane right out”.
Bidding at $11,200
Don Garlits put a 426 Hemi in every Power Wagon tow vehicle he ever owned.