The Dodge Power Wagon is quite possibly the most versatile tool ever invented by man. A jack-of-all-trades machine, it’s equal parts pickup truck, tractor, mobile power station, and fashion icon. It was so perfectly designed that it survived a 20+ year production run with only minor changes, and when Dodge finally decided to replace it, the US government petitioned Chrysler Corporation to keep it in production (the Department of the Interior was the single largest purchaser of Power Wagons). For many years, they survived as the tools they are, pushing snow around on Montana ranches, hauling hay bales on Midwestern farms, and generally going places no other vehicle could go. They were affordable, practical, rugged, and, as luck would have it, a heck of a lot of fun to drive.

Which brings us to this 1966 Dodge Power Wagon. Purchased on August 10, 1966 by the Town of St. Michaels, Maryland, it, like many of its siblings, went into public service. From the extensive original paperwork included with the truck, it appears to have been used by the St. Michaels Utility Commission until September 27, 1993, when it was sold to the Higgins Yacht Yard in St. Michaels for the unusual price of $1202, which was a genuine bargain. In August of 1995, it was sold again to a gentleman in Montana and it’s worth noting that at that time, the mileage shown on the title was 15,287. That gentleman kept it until 2006, when it came east once again, landing with its fourth and most recent owner in New York. It is from this fourth owner that we acquired this remarkably well-preserved late production Power Wagon.

How remarkable is this truck? Well, today it shows just 15,654 original miles, a figure we believe is accurate. Power Wagons are not fast and given that most of them served in the same capacity, low mileage examples are not unusual. However, what is unusual about this truck is that it seems to have been expertly maintained throughout its life. We are fairly certain the green paint it wears is a repaint, but it’s the correct Submarine Seawolf Green that Power Wagons traditionally wear. It was a little faded and tired when it arrived, but a professional cut and buff was able to work miracles with the ancient enamel, and the shine really came up on the angular bodywork. We suspect that the truck was always green, because even the areas inside the cab, such as behind the seat, are green, but there’s also some evidence on the door sills that perhaps it was bright safety orange at some point, which wouldn’t be surprising. At any rate, it looks suitably vintage and 95% of the public won’t know that it isn’t original paint. What’s more, this truck appears to be completely rust-free, and that’s not a term we use lightly. The cab corners, the lower edges of the doors, the bed sides, and even the running boards are completely intact and in excellent condition. It carries all its important Power Wagon hardware, including the massive PTO winch on the split front bumper, long side mirrors, side-mounted spare tire and, of course, the exposed radiator cap, perhaps one of the last vehicles to have such a thing. Out back you have two taillights, which by 1966 were mandatory in most states, as well as a heavy-duty hitch that’ll pull just about anything. The bed still has wooden planks that might be original, and while the varnish has peeled, there’s no rot and we’d probably leave them just as they are because they fit the truck’s overall look rather well.

Spartan is the best way to describe a Power Wagon’s interior, but this is one where you can climb in and go without a second thought. There’s a correct replacement seat cover in place, so it looks right and is Spartan is the best way to describe a Power Wagon’s interior, but this is one where you can climb in and go without a second thought. There’s a correct replacement seat cover in place, so it looks right and is reasonably comfortable, although bear in mind that there’s zero adjustment. The floors, as you may not know, bolt in and can be easily removed and replaced, so they’re painted steel and in good order with only the usual scuffs and scrapes but again, no rust. The big steering wheel makes this hulk relatively easy to steer at anything but a standstill and all the original control levers for the PTO/winch and 4x4 system are arrayed next to the 4-speed manual transmission’s shifter. A big speedometer in front of the driver goes to a wildly optimistic 80 MPH (note that the warnings on the glove box lid suggest the truck’s maximum speed is 55 MPH) and the auxiliary gauges are in the center of the dash. They all appear to be fully operational, including the fuel gauge. The balance of the controls are sinfully simple, a key, a choke, a headlight switch, and a switch for the blower on the Mopar under-dash heater/defroster (also fully operational). At some point seat belts were added and we’re fairly certain the turn signals are also aftermarket, not original, but on a Power Wagon, it’s hard to say since there were so many running changes. Between the cowl vent and crank-open windshield, there’s excellent ventilation and that little T-handle knob under the dash on the passenger’s side is a hand throttle. The original cardboard headliner is in good order; the windlace around the door openings has started to deteriorate but it isn’t terribly noticeable. It’s painfully simple, but that’s just how Power Wagon fans like it.

Although the Power Wagon had a long, long life span, it received numerous updates along the way, some visible (like the trick 3D-like emblems on the hood of this truck) some invisible like the larger 251 cubic inch inline-6 engine. Sure, an extra 21 cubic inches doesn’t seem like much, and the difference isn’t huge, but when you’re moving this much steel, every little bit counts. To be honest, the Power Wagon was never built for speed but rather unparalleled reliability and off-road abilities, and here is where the tough little engine really shines. With so few miles, we doubt it’s ever been opened up and given that it likely lived a lifetime at low speeds, there’s no reason to think it won’t last another five decades without anything but gas and oil. The red engine enamel makes the later engines easy to spot, because the rest is pretty much as it was from the end of WWII. The 2-barrel carburetor was rebuilt two years ago and still lives under its original oil bath air cleaner. There are newer ignition components and hoses, and it always starts right up with a bit of choke. The giant radiator is there because these were used as mobile power stations for things such as saw mills and oil derricks, so running for hours at a standstill doesn’t stress it even a little. Later trucks like this also feature modern 12-volt electrical systems with alternators, so maintenance is easy and man, does this thing kick over fast! It’s clean under the hood but we didn’t bother trying to paint or restore anything because that’s really not the point and if the right guy buys this Power Wagon, he won’t mind a bit.

Later models also feature synchronized 4-speed manual transmissions, although in our experience, they don’t feel much different than the early crashboxes. Third gear is waaaaay over there by the passenger and you still have to be deliberate in your shifting technique—no power shifting here. The two-speed transfer case has high and low ranges, as well as the ability to use both in 2- and 4-wheel-drive modes, so you have a lot of flexibility for any job. The axles are massive pieces that are designed for the heaviest of duties, with the front hubs being upgraded to manual locking units that may pay a small dividend in both fuel economy and reliability. We have recently reconditioned the entire brake system, including a new master cylinder, new wheel cylinders, new brake shoes, and restored drums, so it offers a lot of confidence for someone who is going to use this truck as intended. According to the door tag, there are 5.83 gears in the pumpkins, which admittedly is pretty tall but they mean that this truck will practically climb a wall in first gear and in low range, there’s virtually no place it can’t go, which is entirely the point. There is no evidence of critical rust or accident damage to the frame, although it is crusty, greasy, and grimy as you’d expect from an original truck that used to work for a living. However, it is not a critical leaker, there’s plenty of evidence of extensive and correct maintenance throughout its life, and there’s nothing on the truck that needs attention before you can start enjoying it. The original-style 9.00-16LT tires may even be original to the truck, and they’re showing their age, but depending on how you may intend to use this truck they may be just fine.

We have extensive documentation on this truck, including the original Certicard in the name of “Town of St. Michaels,” several insurance policy cards under that same name, registration and ownership documents, the bill of sale to Higgins Yacht Yard, plus its more recent Montana title. It also includes some spare parts and receipts for the recent brake service work.

We sell a lot of Power Wagons and we know them very well. Later trucks are much more desirable than early trucks, and finding one that hasn’t been abused, rusted, and left to rot is getting increasingly difficult now that collectors have discovered them. This truck is one of the best originals we’ve ever seen and is ready to be enjoyed at the many Power Wagon off-roading events around the country. And for the moment, it’s very affordably priced. Move fast or be one of those guys who always wanted one but could never quite pull the trigger. You won’t regret it here, so call today!