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.
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