I thought I was good at recycling, but I don’t hold a candle to the Powell brothers. Hayward and Channing Powell, of Los Angeles, gyrated through radio manufacturing, then scooters, and in 1955, four-wheeled vehicles inspired by the brothers’ sportsman tendencies. To cobble together their Sport Wagon, they pulled 1940s Plymouth sedan parts from scrap yards, including the engines. Stamped steel body panels with simple curves, fiberglass front clips, bypass door glass, a flat windshield, and wooden bumpers, along with the reconditioned Plymouth parts, made their Sport Wagon cheap to manufacture. It had no off-road aspirations, but it was more comfortable than the typical truck of the era. About a thousand were made through 1957, until the supply of used Plymouth parts began to wane and competition intensified. Here on craigslist is a final-year Powell pickup with an asking price of $5000. This Powell didn’t travel far from its maker: it’s located in Concord, California. Good eye, T.J. – thanks for the tip!
The engines were rebuildable 1940-1950 Plymouth mills, often the early ’40s 201 cu. in. flathead six. This engine was good for 87 hp and backed by a column-mounted three-speed manual. The cylinder head here has been commandeered by a critter looking for affordable housing. It doesn’t run, but the seller assures us the drivetrain is original to the car. By 1956, the bumpers were made of steel rather than oak; other than this, very few changes were made over the three years of production. Notably, the bed was part of the cab, not installed separately.
The Sport Wagon’s interior was typically equipped with a vinyl-over-foam-pad bench seat, so these are likely modern replacements. A couple of gauges are missing, and the steering wheel needs refinishing. The sole option was a long tubular storage compartment that slid out from the top of the truck’s rear panel, designed to hold fishing poles or rifles.
These wheels appear to be aftermarket replacements, and at least one parking light is missing. The Powell Sport Wagon Registry numbers about 109 vehicles, and restored examples are even more scarce. An altered Sport Wagon sold here about a year ago for $3800 in a no-reserve auction; it had lost its orginal drivetrain and was in project condition. What would you pay for this unusual bit of American history?
Pow, pow, Powell makes a powerful car, no Homer Simpsons half brother Herb ( Danny DeVito) was not named after Powell cars. “People don’t want cars named after hungry ( I’m sure they wanted another word) old Greek broads”. Slap a bar code on these vehicles, instant generic car. It’s such a stark contrast to todays vehicles, was there ever a time when this was good enough? Obviously not for long, but it does show, a small independent company could do something, they just lacked the high priced designers, and this is what they came up with. Great find.
Rack and Peanut steering Howard!!! Thanks for that memory, been years since I’ve seen that episode.
You keep quoting that epidode, but I can’t find it….
Miles
Powerful like a gorilla, yet soft like a Nerf ball
Great write up Michelle. I have always been intrigued by these. I’ve read about them before, and them mostly getting Plymouth running gear. The styling always reminded me of a Tonka Truck if you will. But I like it. Not sure how hard it would be to restore or how hard it would be to get any kind of parts, but it would be an absolute attention get at any Cars and Coffee for sure. I hope someone buys this and restores it.
I apologize I forgot to add, thank you Michelle for posting the the pictures of the radio and Scooter as well. Those must be very rare. And a tip of the hat to T. J. For finding this rare truck.
Great thing about it is whatever you don’t have you just make! Looks like cheap fun to me!
Great vehicle and concept – love it!
The front always reminds me of the Land Rover.
Or the early 1950’s International L series pickups.
I run the Powell group on FB. Doesn’t really look like a ’57 and wouldn’t know without the serial number. Only about 10 were made in 57, they have radical trim change and restyled bed tube caps. Sadly I just drove through Concord twice last week, would have loved to seen it. I own 2 trucks, 3 radios, Powell minibike and a 39 scooter oh, and a dealer sign. – Miles in Medford OR.
No station wagon? I really like the station wagon with all that upright glass….
Michelle, I had a ’56 wagon, I bought it from Baker Auto Wrecking in American Cyn CA (Napa area). It was totally roached out. There’s only 3 operable wagons right. I was offered the metallic blue one and the black ones when they came up for sale. The other one is owned by LeMay at Marymount WA. I ended up selling mine to my buddy who runs the Powell Registry. I should have taken all the wagon parts off and put them on one of my trucks. Also, Powells were made from ’54 to ’57, I owned a ’54 # 8, one of the ones with wood bumpers. I also have several on my YouTube channel 600miles comparing ’54 ’55 & ’56 models.
A lot can be said for Utilitarian.
Not sure that Sport Wagon is correct for the common pickup version. Powell also made a few actual station wagons on this platform. Also, I had a ‘56 Powell pickup that came with wooden bumpers-not chrome. Maybe a midyear change.
Was there another pickup made like this many years before? I thought I remembered one done before or just after world war 2?? It also used only Plymouth car frames and drive train. If not, it was this model and reading about them many years ago, before computers, I always thought it would be pretty cool to own one. Now sadly with 285 cars and trucks, I’m not wanting to add more to my collection. Would have made a good mate for my beautiful 41 Plymouth coupe.
It actually reminds me of International Harvester Scout design.
My grandfather used to take me to sportsman’s shows at the Pan Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles in the 50s and there was always one of these on display. I always thought the tube in the fender a great idea. I remember seeing a few on the road.
Anybody got a clue on a serial number?
Jim – It’s the modified one from Santa Cruz, belonged to Brian W. You can compare the pics to the old Registry pics. I emailed the seller but No response. Here’s the serial: PMC-7-2989.
Miles
Thanks