This excellent video by Brandt Rosenbusch, official historian at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, tells the Dodge Power Wagon story in just three entertaining and informative minutes.
Closely based on the Dodge WC military trucks of World War II, the Dodge Power Wagon was introduced to the civilian market in 1946 for industrial and agricultural use, where it quickly became a legend. The combat-grade vehicles, equipped with rugged four-wheel-drive and power-takeoff systems and, except for a cab and a heater, no frills whatsoever, were regarded by their loyal owners as nearly unstoppable and virtually indestructible. To this day, collectors of classic Power Wagons can’t seem to help getting them dirty.
The original flat-fendered Power Wagon with military-style bodywork was offered from 1946 through 1968 in the USA, joined in 1957 by models that employed more conventional truck bodies. Discontinued in 1980, the Power Wagon nameplate has been revived in recent years for special off-road versions of the Ram pickup. We don’t pretend to be authorities on the Power Wagon and its complicated and colorful history. However, historian Brandt Rosenbusch of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles certainly is an expert, and here he presents a wonderful three-minute tutorial on the storied vehicles. Enjoy the video.
I always loved the original Power Wagon. Strange though, coming from ranching country out west, the first 4×4 trucks I saw were surplus Jeeps. My dad got a ’56 International S-120 (that is still in operation by the second owner’s family ranch today). He was the first to buy a factory built truck. A local farmer bought a ’60 Ford 1/2 ton and another bought a ’61 Chevy 1/2 ton. The momentum picked up from there and the region was well-populated with four-wheel-drive by the mid-60s. Still, it wasn’t until the major blizzard in the spring of ’67 when I finally saw my first genuine Dodge Power Wagon. It was a ’54 model (and is still around the region today) and was used by a local oil battery contractor. Quite impressive then and I’m still impressed by them today…
The early footage (hauling hay, plowing, etc) – was film shot by Sullivan Richardson who had been expedition leader of the Pan-American Highway Expedition prior to WWII. In the original film, Richardson family members were used as models.
My fav. Power Wagon story concerns archaeologist and oil magnate Wendell Phillips, who in the mid 1950 led an expedition to Yemen which was sponsored by Dodge (10 x Power Wagons) and Remington (rifles for the sheikhs) It went well until the gifts ran out and Wendell and his cohort ended up barely escaping in the remaining PW, pursued by the ungrateful locals (perhaps on camels) The book was a good read.