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Small Friends Only: 1978 Dodge Club Cab

Today, you can’t seemingly walk around a corner without bumping into a pickup truck sporting four doors and room for five or more. However, there was a time when such convenience was a rarity, like with this 1978 Dodge pickup that sports a factory “Club Cab” option. Despite the extra room, you wouldn’t want to be squished into those jump seats for an extended period of time. The seller thinks this project is a worthwhile investment; judge for yourself here on eBay.

One of my eBay pet peeves are those sellers who cite a fully-finished vehicle that sold for whatever price as evidence that their project is worth investing in. So, the last Club Cab went home for $14K. I don’t even think that amount of money gets you a motor, body work, glass, paint and an interior, let alone wheels, tires and basic mechanical restoration. But you may see more potential here than I do.

Don’t forget to find a radio! There’s no engine with this Club Cab, or transmission. The rust is said to be minor, but it is in the floors and door bottoms. The good news is that you can likely source parts from any number of junk vehicles or parts cars (heck, Barn Finds writer James K. found three free Mopar trucks the other day), but most trucks from the northeast where this one is located will likely have similar rust issues.

As you can see, space is tight in the Club Cab galley, but it good for stowing valuables or other items that you want to keep from getting wet in the truck’s bed. I believe there should be a set of jump seats here, but they appear to have gone missing. It does, however, come with a driveshaft, crossmembers and other “bits and pieces,” according to the seller. There’s a few bids to just over $100 but there is a reserve; is this rare Club Cab worth restoring?

Comments

  1. Avatar Joe

    As a parts truck, worthwhile to determine what a Junkyard would give the seller or someone in the dismantling/recycled parts business. Any more $$ paid for this truck is just funny money or a unique situation—e.g. someone who has a donor truck or wants to make this one a donor and has plenty of time/skills/parts in-house. With the rust noted, very lucky if the Seller gets more than $450 – $750 tops. The pictured, sold $14K truck–no matter how nice–was oversold—a Seller’s dream and Buyer’s remorse.

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  2. Avatar 86 Vette Convertible

    I had a 76 PowerWagon at one time. They’re prone to rust in the floorboards, box and front wheelwells. Sorry but this one is not worth a whole lot IMO other than to finish another vehicle if the required parts are unrusted. That also doesn’t go into the electrical issues etc I ran into with mine.

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  3. Avatar Walter Joy

    Someone will use it for a Cummins truck

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ed P

      Only if it is at least 3/4 ton.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar RickG

    I love bird bath hood Power Wagons. Here’s my 1973 Sno-Fiter still only has 24k miles on it. Rare truck.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Val

    If it was a Crewcab then you would have a whole different Animal .That’s where the Money is at .Take a crewcab and put a cummin’s diesel engine in it and you can get upward’s of 20 K Easy

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Jason

    Love my old power wagon. 1977 club cab short bed. Fit perfect on a 1990 D250 4×4 chassis with a single cab long bed. Went through plenty of rust issues and wiring problems over the years but still a great old truck starts every time it’s needed.

    Like 0

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