If you are looking for a serious statement in the truck realm, this Power Wagon will resonate. It’s a one-ton, it’s a dually, it’s a 4×4 – and it’s orange. Listed here on eBay for $24,500 with the option to make an offer, this truck is located in Dixon, California. The drivetrain is original, though components have been repaired as needed. Don’t look for comfort enhancements, however: it remains “a rugged tank”, just as it came from Dodge in 1964. The Power Wagon market is a niche-y space with certain models selling for six figures – let’s see if the price on this one makes sense.
The base model W300 was supplied with a 251 cu. in. flathead six (light-duty W100s and W200s received the new 225 slant six), but this one is optioned with Chrysler’s robust 318 cu. in. poly V8, bringing a boost to 200 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. An NP420 four-speed manual with three synchros handles gear changes; the 4WD components include an NP201 transfer case coupled with Dana 70 front and rear axles. The seller tallies several repairs and improvements, from new brakes and master cylinder to a rebuilt carb, fuel pump, and starter. The front driveshaft is new, and the fuel tank was relocated to the bed. The original PTO winch is included in the sale.
Restore that steering wheel and call it good here – everything else is in near-show condition. The headliner and dual sun visors are perfect. All electrical components are in working order.
The bed is 9′ long, and this is a rare step-side body. The tailgate is new, the bumpers were custom-fabricated and powder-coated, and the top of the cab was recently repainted. A few rust spots are showing up – on the door corners, a fender, beneath the hood. The underside is another reminder that the tin worm never sleeps. Writing “Power Wagon” on your bucket list is akin to listing “Porsche 911”: the question is, which one? Early flat-fendered Power Wagons can pull six figures, like this 1946 WDX; stock W100s will sell at $25k all day long; nice early W300s might bring $50k. These square-bodied trucks are at the low end of the price spectrum. What would you pay for this tough truck?
This is one cool truck,if you have a use for it.
When I ran the Lord Ellis Hillclimb around 1982,
I drove the local dealer’s Dodge tow truck,towing
our ’79 Ford Fiesta.
At first I grumbled about having to drive it,but
by the time I got to the hillclimb I was thinking what
a great driving truck it was.It climbed right up the hills.
It turned out to work out well,as I did a slow roll,
totaling the Fiesta while running the hillclimb,so I had
a way to get it back home.
1st, and foremost, a quick salute to the people who lost their lives on this day, 25 years ago. I think we all remember where we were, and changed our lives forever.
When this truck was new, we were recovering from another significant chapter in US history, and a different world it was. Today, this truck can be paraded around with flowers in the bed, but in ’64, the original purpose of this truck was remarkably different. It was all business, and used as such. Typically, any heavy duty 4×4 of this nature, not a 4×6, as I read 4×4 is determined by the number of drive axles, not how many tires,, was strictly a large scale plow vehicle. Plowing snow is probably the hardest application for a truck, and needs to be this heavy duty. Stadiums, airports, and such. It really had no other purpose, and garnered a spot in the corner of a municipal garage most of its life. I’m not sure future generations will be aware of its shortcomings, nothing today could prepare someone for this. It embodies everything an old truck represents. Fantastic find.
And another thing, I’d like to thank Jesse and the staff for being genuinely concerned about their members. He wants things to go smoothly and surely has their hands full. In case some may have not noticed, there has been a shift to more plausible offerings, and at this time, anyone considering a membership, and you long time holdouts, by all means don’t delay. As one of the oldest members here, and self-appointed recruiter, I feel I have the qualifications to say that. I kvetch about the moderation thing, but merely a safeguard for the ones that aren’t as appreciative. Their loss.
And, of course, it should, nay must be said,,,MORE TRUCKS PLEASE!! :)
An old friend of mine named Ralph Gaines had the crew cab version of this truck in the mid ’70s. It was painted that commercial mint green with white trim. He and his wife Darlene owned a small diner that
was just up the street from my
parent’s house and that’s where I
hung out when I wasn’t touring. He’d tell about the truck and what
he’d done to it since I’d last seen
them over one of their town famous patty melts with a heaping order of crinkle fries. Well, when the 318 took a 💩,
Ralph swapped in a 413 V-8 out of a ’64 New Yorker that was rusted beyond use. That truck was a real beast! No matter the
weather, that truck always got through and the diner was always
open. What I wouldn’t give for one of their patty melts, those crinkle fries, a large iced tea, and
being able to sit at the counter and shoot the breeze with Ralph,
Darlene, and all my friends who
went there (sigh)