14 Fascinating Facts About the Classic Dodge Power Wagon

Power Wagon should’ve been a household name

The first series of mass-produced medium-duty 4x4 trucks, the Power Wagon featured two engine options. Drivers could choose between a 3.8-liter inline-six or a 4.1-liter inline-six. Various cab options were also available. 
Dodge applied the elements of the truck that worked in the war to modern-day agriculture. The WC civilian version featured improved seating, a fully enclosed cab, manual windows, and a signature red and black paint scheme. 
The Dodge Power Wagon made the Willock Swivel Frame famous, a technology that allowed the bed and cabin to twist relative to each other. No matter the conditions, the  special swivel helped keep the tires planted. 
Thanks to Canadian designer Willock, the head-turning Willock Swivel Frame was the most popular design on Power Wagon models from 1946 and beyond. Willock modified somewhere between 40 to 100 Dodge Power Wagons in his time. 
Sadly, most manufacturers preferred longer-travel suspensions instead of intricate twisting frames. Modern designs also didn’t tip the bed as much as the Swivel Frame. As time went on, the experimental Swivel Frame became forgotten.
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles showcases a 1953 Dodge Power Wagon clad in black and yellow paint, modified by Willock himself. 
Through 1968, production continued in North America. Exported models were manufactured until 1978.
According to Jay Leno, Dodge Power Wagons weigh about 8,000 pounds and due to their thick metal, rarely acquire rust. Even
RAM incorporated the Wagon’s design
into their best-selling vehicles. 

Financial figures

About 100 are available on Classic.com and 78% of them are expected to sell.
Prices vary, but they ain’t cheap. Expect to spend at least $50,000 for the earlier models from the 1940s. 
The typical price on Classic.com in “average” condition is about $72,000. On Hagerty, you can find models closer to $25,000.
Condition being the key factor, the lowest sale for the truck is about $6,000 and the highest was recorded at a whopping $330,000. If you find a truck in poor condition for under $5,000, expect to get parts, pieces, and the remaining chassis. Lower-end Power Wagons that have been through the wringer are also at a similar price point.
A 1951 Dodge Power Wagon auctioned between $75,000-$85,000 at the RM Sotheby’s auction featured a black leather interior and a 230 cubic inch flathead inline-six gasoline engine. With a two-speed transfer case and four-speed manual transmission, the truck offers high- and low-range gearing.
In 2021, a restored 1958 Dodge Power Wagon was listed for $115,000 on Hemmings. Equipped with impressive twisting abilities, the truck also had a noticeable gap in the running boards between the bed and the cab. Nevertheless, the pickup sold for a pretty penny. 

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