1959 Dodge Power Wagon

Description

If you haven't been paying attention, the Dodge Power Wagon is a pretty big deal these days. Trucks like this 1959 Power Wagon pickup are no longer $10,000 beaters and my professional opinion is that we'll probably see a $100,000 Power Wagon sell at the 2015 Scottsdale auctions. So if you've been considering one, don't keep shopping, buy today because they will not be getting more affordable in the future.

The sleek gunmetal gray paint on this particular Power Wagon isn't quite authentic for 1959, but it has a purposeful look that suits it just fine. It was refinished in 2012 and still looks great, with just the right blend of shine and utility that means you can still use this truck as, you know, a truck. Given the straightness of the bodywork, there's quite a bit of time invested in the restoration and there are Power Wagon fans who will say that the later beds like this one wears are the more attractive choice. The burly, utilitarian look is surely a big part of the Power Wagon's appeal and it didn't evolve much from 1946 to 1967 when it was finally replaced by a newer design, and that's surely why they're so popular today. The separate fenders, free-standing headlights, and a bumper that looks like it could push over a prison wall all make this the manliest truck ever built. The bed was still wood, of course, and while it shows some weathering, it's really in good condition and ready to be used as intended. And yes, the winch works!

The cabin is basic, yes, but the functionality is just what you'd need from a tool like the Power Wagon. A pleated black vinyl bench is probably nicer than what you got when it was new and it's in excellent shape. Plain door panels and a cardboard headliner were standard equipment and the giant steering wheel is probably mandatory for managing this beast of a truck in traffic. The gauges are in good shape and consist of a big speedometer in front of the driver and auxiliary gauges in the center of the dash. There is no radio, of course, but accessories include an under-dash heater/defroster unit that's quite effective. The array of levers on the transmission tunnel control the 4-speed manual gearbox, 2-speed transfer case, and power take-off, which is one of the Power Wagon's most useful features. Rubber floor mats give it a finished appearance.

The 230 cubic inch inline-six seems modest in specification, but with proper gearing, it moves this big truck and a full load without working too hard. It's fantastically over-built, designed to idle for hours and to drive that PTO without getting hot, and despite being in a truck, it's remarkably smooth. It looks correct under the hood with silver paint on the block, a downdraft carburetor, and factory exhaust manifolds, so it's working as intended. There are plenty of signs of maintenance and an upgrade to an alternator certainly helps keep the electrical system charged. The 4-speed manual transmission finally got synchromesh in 1957, so it's a bit more user-friendly, and if this truck can't get you where you're going with its 4-wheel-drive system, then you probably didn't want to go there anyway. It's tidy underneath with no signs of off-roading abuse, and those aluminum bead-lock wheels with gigantic 37x13.5-17 off-road tires look fantastic.