One-year-only designs are super interesting; we should almost do an article on vehicles that were made for only one year before being redesigned. This 1957 Dodge W-100 Power Wagon would be on that list, as by 1958, the company revised the look, and I think the ’57s are great-looking trucks. The seller says this one is unrestored, and it’s posted here on craigslist in Surprise, Arizona. They’re asking $30,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
Despite the strange-looking rear wheels that appear to be missing one set of duallys (this wasn’t a dually, of course), this is one rugged truck. Not just in looks, but in reportedly being the first year for a factory-produced 4×4 made on an assembly line with a V8 engine for civilian use. We know that by saying that, it’ll force a lot of you to look it up, and that’s good. If you find out differently, please let us know in the comments.
$30,000 seems about right for this truck, given what some others have sold for at auction. It may be priced a bit on the high side, with it not being perfect, but it looks like something I’d want to see in our driveway or garage every morning when I wake up. And they are rare to see, being a one-year model. These are heavy-duty trucks, despite the 100 moniker. The W-100 Power Wagon (from ’57 through ’71) used a 3,000-pound Dana front axle, and even more unusual, these trucks could be had with power steering, power brakes, and an automatic transmission.
Speaking of that, here is the LoadFlite automatic transmission selector. It isn’t on the floor or the column; it’s a push-button control as seen in Dodge and other Chrysler cars of the era. This truck has been family-owned since 1965, a pretty incredible feat in our throw-away world. The interior looks nicer than I would have guessed, and I like the white knob on the NP-201 two-speed transfer case shifter.
This one is a 315-cu.in. V8, which had 204 horsepower, and it appears to have been either rebuilt or painted, along with the radiator and other components seen or barely seen in this one close-up engine photo. The seller says this truck is not restored, but it would be one of the most amazing finds of all time if parts of this truck haven’t been painted or restored in some way. Any thoughts on this ’57 Dodge W-100 Power Wagon?
What a beauty! Might be kind of tough to find parts for if any were needed for anything as a 1 year only but if I hit the lottery again this would be in the garage! Well, hit it for a bunch more than the eight dollars I hit it for last time at least..
Another attaboy for you and T.J., Scotty.
Nevadahalfrack and Wayne D are definitely winning for my favorite comment of the week!!! I’m almost as “rich” as you guys.
An “article” on one year only ? Here? Not bloody likely, too “Hemmings-ish”, but their comments are ka-put anyway, so long live BarnyFinds!!!
’57 was an interesting year for “1 year only”. Dodge, IH, and Ford all had 1 year only styling. So here’s the 411 on those back fenders, and why that rear tire looks so lonely, I believe by studying other ’57 Power Wagons, there’s a spacer in the rear fender possibly for a dual wheel. I can’t find any with that big of a spacing however. Perhaps they used an offset wheel, and the smaller tires accentuate the appearance. With the over spray, probably a rattlecan rebuild, cool old rig, mileage even with an odometer broke seems accurate automatic a definite plus, but sorry SG, for $30 grand they should have their head examined, nobody going to spend that on this. SURPRISE!!!
Haha, that’s a good one!
Hey we can consider ourselves rich already…we have silver in our hair, gold in our teeth, crystals in our kidneys, sugar in the blood, lead in the butt, iron in our arteries, and an inexhaustible supply of natural gas!
Looks more restored than not.
I’m never fond of sellers like this, that bring up mileage and odometer readings in the ad, but in the “small print” at the bottom states the odometer is broken.
Steve R
The rear fenders appear to have 4 or 5” spacers between them and the bed, I’d bet that someone did run dual rear wheels at some point.
Scotty, you have found us another great truck!!!! Ford had their one year only in 1956 so this truck would be about the first year after the WW2 Power Wagon styling???? I think that box has been replaced?? With the inserts between the box and the rear fenders makes it look like it came off a dual tired truck??? Ron may be right on it having duals at some point, BUT the rear axle shafts do NOT look full floating or long enough to support duals. Has the rear axle been changed???? Basically I do NOT believe the seller as this truck looks like it left the factory as a 200 or 300??? Anyway I would love to have it in my garage because it is definitely a conversation starter at shows and cruise ins..
Found better pictures of this same truck on Autotrader. Please remove those fender spacers. Stock form has excessive insert of wheels from edge of rear fender without any spacer. https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1957/dodge/power_wagon/102781413
Thanks.. In those pictures the rear wheel studs look long enough to make it a dually, BUT the hub lip does not look wide enough to support a second rim???
Because the hub doesn’t support the wheel. The wheels are lug centric not hub centric.
Thanks. More photos and better idea that spacer needs to go. 🇺🇸🐻
Once again, you folks are amazing! The additional details, observations, and information that you dig up make me proud to be a small part of the Barn Finds family!
Surprise AZ,I was there this morning at Sam’s Club ,gas was $ 3.85 a gallon. I was next in line when they put the out of service cone in front of me.I guess they ran out gas.
That’s the Surprise part.
Gas here is about $5.49. Are you complaining about $3.85?
No,that the cheapest here.
Does anyone here or out there knows whats missing right of the glove box? Just a metal plate with holes why? Txs 🇺🇸🐻
The dashboards on these trucks were designed to be set up for left hand drive and right hand drive for export purposes. That hump on the right with that tin cover is the exact space as on the left hand side able to accommodate the full instrument cluster. On left hand drive units (domestic) that space is often used to house a large speaker for the radio. The cover is a thin stamped and ribbed aluminum plate with no holes or grill work. People get creative with their attempts to cut holes to let the sound out. It’s rare to see one that is untouched. This one shows some artistic creativity.
This is one unique, odd duck here. I was NOT expecting to see pushbuttons for an automatic trans in this thing. Or the V8 for that matter. I agree with all the above about the fenders. And the first thought I had was that this was a dually at one time. No matter what, its still a really cool truck. Tip of the hat to T.J. and Scotty for another great truck write up and find.
I have a 1957 2wd D-100 with the 315 polyhead and a pushbutton Torque-Flyte. They are uncommon but not sure how rare. It has manual brakes and manual steering but the ease and convenience of an automatic transmission. It takes all the hard work out of driving a truck. Your wife will love it.
Dodge did offer the W100 in a dually in 1957 so the fender spacers are factory. Find a couple of rims and ties and drive itr
This one has had a lot of touching up so it’s originality concerns original components and completeness and not any possibly surviving factory original finishes. Most of the exterior paint surfaces have been massaged. The original wood in these beds was yellow pine according to my Chrysler sources, and was painted black. The engine and transmission of all Chrysler Corporation vehicles in 1957 was Corporate Silver, basically silver aluminum. I wonder about people who blast a little of the wrong color spray paint on top of a dirty engine and tell you it’s been rebuilt. That’s how this one looks to me.
As far as the axles go Chrysler offered a huge variety of axles designed for a wide array of load purposes. Examining the factory parts manual section on axles will make your eyes goggle around in their sockets. I’ve seen other examples that look like they had duals but don’t. I think this might indicate the presence of the Timken bearing equipped axle that was available.
One thing I’ve never, ever seen before are those spacers. I’m thinking these are some custom fabrication. And they look weird. I will reject their existence until I am shown irrefutable proof that they were, in fact, sanctioned and manufactured by Chrysler Corporation.
Before this truck was white, it was blue. A really bad paint job as the blue paint is showing under the white inside of the bed. Makes one wonder what other kind of shoddy work has been done to this really good-looking vehicle.