What year and kind of power wagon? Help!

[Wheelndealer]

i purchased this power wagon from a friend for $500 runs needs work he tells me it’s a 52 power wagon but I think it’s more like a 57. It has a push button auto trans and I think it is a rare truck? Anything you know will help. No title. I’d like to restore it I think I got a very good deal. Came with spare parts 4x4 powerwagon

 

[JimfromAZ]

That still runs?!?!? That is goona be a sweet ride when it's restored

 

[SYKRAMMAN]

They sure don’t make’em like that anymore. Bet that thing doesn’t have any rot, probably just all surface crap. I wish they were still built like that!

 

[beng3303]

I believe you are correct on the later 50’s manufacture due to the head lights and fender area. Did you try to decide the vin? It should be on a black tag in the engine compartment i think ? FYI I think you got a good deal !


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[hoe...]

I'd love to see that restored, love the push button auto....

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[Wheelndealer]

Thanks for the feedback guys and yes it runs it smokes for a minute when started needs valve seals probababky and I will look for a vin tag after work. Should I keep it all original or put a souped up Hemi in it? Haven’t decided yet. I could put a 6 pack manifold on the 318 poly head and cam it out

 

[stimpy433]

I'd clear coat the whole truck just the way it is.... then make the engine and the interior all nice and pretty.

 

[Ramm5.7]

What stimpy said!!! Clearcoat the patina, fresh running gear and cruise!!
Love the old Dodge trucks!
I saw this at a car show

 

[yillbs]

Nice truck. Paint it red, clear it then redo the inside. No need to put a hemi in it, it'll be plenty fun the way it is. It's not a 52, the grille is all wrong. It's a 57, and if i'm not mistaken, that grille it the only year it was ever used ( in 57 ). someone can correct me if i'm wrong, but it's one of the few trucks that got a one year use grille.

 

[GIJoe2010]

There's a trick my grandfather told me:

check the tail light housing (the plastic red part) and see if there are any numbers on it, typically it'll be the last 2 digits that will indicate the year.

 

[JimfromAZ]

Thanks for the feedback guys and yes it runs it smokes for a minute when started needs valve seals probababky and I will look for a vin tag after work. Should I keep it all original or put a souped up Hemi in it? Haven’t decided yet. I could put a 6 pack manifold on the 318 poly head and cam it out

If it were me, I would sup it up, but that's just my tastes. Since you got such a great deal on it you're going to get a return on investment either way I think.

 

[Wheelndealer]

Ramm5.7 that’s a badass truck! And Jim from az I think I will soup it up, he told me it originally had a 315 Hemi instead of the 318 poly head in it now. Might try to find an old 315 I think the desotos have them. I don’t think there’s many performance parts for poly heads. Very excited about this project though

 

[Wheelndealer]

And I confirmed it is a 1957 power wagon first civilian power wagon model ever made