Vintage pickup trucks can seem like a dime a dozen. Meaning, you have your pick when it comes to deciding on which one to bring home. But if you’ve got your eye on future value and justifying a restoration, a good place to start is by buying the heaviest duty truck out there. Whatever got the upgraded equipment and could survive a modest shelling by an opposing military is a good place to start. This heavily patina’d 1960 Dodge Power Wagon “Power Giant” here on eBay looks like a smart buy especially with no reserve.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find. Bidding is currently at $11,000 and I suspect it will go a bit higher given how honest and well-equipped this truck is. First, if you love patina, you’re going to want this Dodge. It wears a wonderful assortment of battle scars that can be only be obtained after years of hard use in the high plains. The seller believes it was sold new in Montana and spent many years on a ranch before being purchased by a friend of his. Mileage is believed to be actual at just over 114,000.
This truck is authentic all the way through, with a correct, un-messed with interior featuring a bench seat in sound condition and an original painted dash. The seller believes all the major controls work too, from the heater to the wipers to the radio. A huge win is the fact that it doesn’t exhibit any odd smells or other indications of long-term rodent residence. Regions like Montana are likely far better for this than other areas, as I can’t imagine too many varmints will want to live outdoors in a truck when winter takes hold. Sadly, both side glass panels are cracked but the windshield is intact.
This Dodge features a 318 Poly “Semi Hemi” engine that starts up and idles smoothly. It’s amazing how tight this truck still sounds and the seller’s video proves that it appears to be a solid runner. The Dodge is equipped with dual exhaust, and while you’ll be tempted to open it up on occasion, 4.10 gears ensures you’ll just be using it in town or in a low-speed environment like a farm or ranch. If I had a short drive to a weekend gathering of like-minded car enthusiasts, I’d love to show up with a tough truck like this. What a beast!
There was a noticeable presence of these out west but the majority was split between GM and International with Ford right in there too. A friend of my Dad’s bought one very similar except his having Budd wheels. With 4.10 gears it was just fine at 65; you’d just better wear a helmet lest your head gets bounced off the door frame. It was one rough ride. One of these at my place? No problem but that rust would be history and a respray of Seasick Blue would be applied. Good, heavy engine. I’ve been through a few of them and cannot find as many problems as I did with the ones that replaced it. And those were good. Fun machine, just don’t forget the helmet…
These were men’s trucks, built to work not go get lattes in. If the rust doesn’t get ahold of the old girls they are very worthy of overhauling and a lot cheaper than the new $80,000.00 ones. I’ve had a love for the Power Wagons all my life, great no nonsense trucks.
I’d much rather pay big bucks for a perfect condition 80s-00s 3500HD truck or something like that instead of paying the same for a base model 1500 brand new.
Wow, a can of Hamms in the cup holder……I didn’t even know you could still get Hamms. Perfect truck for tending your dental floss farm, just throw the pygmy pony in the back.
Love the Zappa reference. Love the truck, too
Well, I certainly don’t care for the beer can on the dash, but I’m not “movin’ to Montana soon” anyway. These fruitcakes still brandish sidearms here, big man. It’s gone, so someone shelled out the cash for this thing. Good for them, I only hope they know what they were getting. I mean, widow maker wheels on worn, unmatched bias-ply tires, no power assists, vacuum wipers, straight front axle, a MANUAL CHOKE,,what’s not to like? For 5 figures,( $13,800) I predict someone gonna get the rolling pin over the head,,
Oh, come on, Pal. What’s wrong with Montana? Other than you have to grow one leg longer so you don’t blow over in the wind. That sidearm also helps balance you. But it must be an OK place to be; California’s moving in by the truckload (Well, they clear out for warmer places in the winter.) And there’s Yellowstone, the park and the TV series. How about Cutbank? The movie, which I doubt was filmed in Cutbank. I have to agree with you as far as Hamms is concerned; 50 years ago it was Great Falls Select. Obviously I belonged to the minority because that brand is gone too. Fruitcakes? Come on, seagulls still fly right side up over Montana…
The buyer knows what he is getting: a solid truck for restoration or restomod.
Straight from Sky King’s ranch…
Someone bought a clean solid truck for a reasonable price. Having owned a few of these in the past I can say that this one has been well cared for. Having 114 thousand miles a to look this nice is practically a miracle. These trucks were bought for a purpose. Work. And all of the one I had were worked to death by 50 thousand miles. I had one that the farmer had put dauls on the front and back and used for discing and dragging his fields. He had to stay out of the dust or quit farming. That was his solution. A cab for the tractor at that time cost more than the truck. These were really great trucks for the time. Also the ebay ad states that the original 17.5 wheels and tires are included in the sale.
Hey gang.
Just found this wonderful article and all the fun comments. I bought this truck on eBay and yup I live In MT myself, it’s terrible here so would stay in your cities where life much be much easier. ;)
I’m currently and slowly working on the truck. Putting a matte clear over it, getting a full upgraded suspension and plenty of other fun goodies to make it run strong. It will still run the hills to get firewood and haul elk back from hunting trips. I’ll post some pictures when it’s all done. The trucks even cooler in person. I’m super happy about the purchase.