Boom Squad: 1965 Dodge Power Wagon Utility Truck




























A wise man once said that when the apocalypse hits the world and wipes out the human population, the only things left on our planet will be cockroaches and Dodge Power Wagons. Like a 225 Slant Six, one cannot truly kill a Power Wagon, as they are as bulletproof as a tank. This 1965 Dodge Power Wagon not only features a period utility body, it also features a front bumper-mounted winch and a boom. Find it here on Craigslist in Syracuse, New York, with an asking price of $7,800.


























Introduced in 1946 as America's first civilian 4x4, the Power Wagon was derived from Dodge's 3/4 ton WC series from World War II. Intended to take on Ford's Marmon-Harrington and GMC's four-wheel drive models. This Power Wagon is a 1965 model, and appears to be either a 3/4 or 1 ton model. It originally appeared to be used by a telephone company, judging from the telephone logo on the side of the utility body. Looking over the truck, the body appears to be fairly solid, though there is some rust on the front of the fenders; the split windshield glass is cracked on the passenger side and the driver's side glass is busted out up top. Additionally, the passenger side headlight is missing, the driver's side headlight is busted, and the driver's side door glass is cracked; I would repair the fenders, replace the glass and headlights, and leave the exterior otherwise as-is.


























Keeping up with it's overall bulletproof nature, this Power Wagon is powered by a 251 cubic inch flathead six. Rated at 116 horsepower and 208 lb-ft of torque, the 251 flathead six is not much on power, but then again, Power Wagons are not meant to be powerhouses anyway. Backed by a manual transmission (most likely a three or four speed), the engine is not currently running, but the seller says it's not frozen either. I would try to get the drivetrain running again and drive it as; if not, I would source a Cummins 12V diesel and either a five speed or six speed from a rusted out 1990s to 2002 Dodge Ram diesel pickup truck.


































Inside, the interior, much like the rest of truck, is weathered but fairly solid. There's surface rust on the gauge surrounds, floor pedals, and the door panels. The bench seat appears to have some water spots, but otherwise appears to be as solid as the rest of the interior. I'm guessing the gadget mounted on the steering column is either an overdrive unit or a selector for the four-wheel drive, as I'm guessing the floor shifter is to shift the transmission. Overall, this Dodge Power Wagon is going to need some work before becoming an operational machine, but I've never seen a Power Wagon in this body style, and the asking price also comes with another Power Wagon for parts. What are your thoughts on this utility-bodied Power Wagon? 
Location: Syracuse, NY, USA

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