Written by independent automotive journalist Dave Neyens
Extremely rare as one of just 916 Power Wagons produced in all for 1957, this crew-cab example (Lot #741) will be crossing the Las Vegas Auction block with No Reserve in October.
When is the last time you have experienced a classic Dodge Power Wagon? While today’s auction watchers and car-show fanatics often see legions of original, restored, and customized Jeeps, FJ40 Land Cruisers and several generations of Broncos and Blazers, the mighty first-generation Dodge Power Wagon carries almost unicorn-like scarcity. Built for hard and often extreme duty, many Power Wagons were simply used as intended, treated roughly and parked, or parted out when no longer in service. Relatively low production is another primary reason for their rarity, with only some 95,000 sold in the United States from 1946 to 1968 – an average of just 4,200 per year.
As with the legendary GPW “Jeep” of WWII fame, the Power Wagon legend began with Dodge’s production of half-ton to 1-ton 4-wheel-drive trucks for the U.S. Army starting in 1934. Unlike Ford, Chevrolet and GMC, Dodge military trucks were factory-built with extremely rugged 4×4 drivetrains. In military service, their go-anywhere durability in the most forbidding conditions became the stuff of legends among the American servicemen who traveled to and from the battlefields along the far-flung supply lines in Europe, Africa, the Pacific and beyond, including the forbidding, monsoon-soaked China-Burma-India theater of WWII. Correctly reading pent-up demand, especially from returning American GIs, Dodge engineers responded with development of a heavy-duty civilian 4×4 truck based on military-grade mechanical components featuring advanced materials for extra durability. A number of names were applied to the new Dodge truck before sales began in March 1946, shortly after the “Power Wagon” name was finalized.
Production and sales of the Power Wagon were quite strong for the 1946 through 1956 for all variations, tapering off afterwards, with the larger-wheelbase models the best sellers until production eventually ceased. Despite the small numbers produced and remaining in existence, Power Wagons never fail to command attention wherever one appears today. As with other utility-type vehicles, Power Wagons enjoy strong demand and a rabid enthusiast base. Professionals and specialists have also carved out niches with the Power Wagon, with one of the premier names in the space being Matt Tisdale of Tisdale Coachworks in Winslow, Indiana. Extremely rare as one of just 916 Power Wagons produced in all for 1957, this crew-cab example was restored and upgraded by Tisdale Coachworks for the ultimate in classic form and modern function. Completed over a two-year timeframe with over 2,000 hours of labor, the Power Wagon only recently finished in the summer of 2019 and comes fresh to auction at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas event slated for October 3-5.
Powering this stunningly reimagined Power Wagon is 5.9-liter Cummins diesel engine, paired with a 48RE 4-speed automatic transmission, both of which are rebuilt. The iconic Power Wagon exterior is richly finished in Ferrari Grigio Silverstone (Silverstone Grey) paint, topped with seven layers of clearcoat for a stunning look. Inside are an Ididit steering column and 6-way power-adjustable Cadillac bucket seats up front with a folding bench seat to the rear, plus a rearview camera and Alpine infotainment system with custom speakers throughout. Dynamat sound- and heat-deadening material allows full enjoyment of the audio system and smoked gray windows complement the exterior finish of this amazing custom Power Wagon.
The cargo bed is beautifully finished with white oak flooring secured by stainless mounting plates. Functionality of this Power Wagon is also carefully enhanced with upgraded underpinnings, including King coil springs and ARB locker-type differentials for severe off-road duty on demand. Rear airbags are also present for towing use, and a 35-gallon fuel tank provides a long cruising range to and from your next adventure. LED lights all around provide ample illumination, and an NOS Braden winch up front will get you or other motorists out of trouble along the way. Topping it all off are a set of Fuel wheels surrounded by monstrous 37-inch Toyo RT tires. Listed as Lot #741 and selling with No Reserve, this amazing restoration and build is sure to command attention at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction with its perfect blend of classic form and historical significance, beautifully enhanced with modern power, luxury and usability.
For up-to-date information about this vehicle, click HERE. For a look at all the vehicles ready to cross the auction block in Las Vegas (with more being adding daily), click HERE.