MyStarCollectorCar would be remiss if we did not narrow our Dodge Power Wagon parameters down to the first-generation models because we believe these rugged beasts of burden defined what it meant to be a Power Wagon.
Dodge used the Power Wagon handle for its Tin Grille versions and the newer 4×4 Mopar trucks did not embarrass the name–but the first-gen Power Wagons really own the name in our humble opinion here at MyStarCollectorCar.
A few of our readers may not be entirely familiar with the first-generation Dodge Power Wagon so MyStarCollectorCar will fill in the blanks for them.
Jim Sutherland
The first Dodge Power Wagon was manufactured in 1946 and owed much of its lineage to its World War II Mopar predecessors, not unlike the purpose-built military Jeep. The Power Wagon served as a vital link in the transportation chain during World War II and was also used in combat zones because of its rugged engineering.
The military versions of the Power Wagon were labeled T-series trucks and evolved from the T202 into the T214 models that were lower, wider and more powerful than earlier Dodge military vehicles. The net result was a battle-proven platform for the civilian Power Wagon, again in similar fashion to the post-war Jeep.
Consequently, the post-war Dodge Power Wagon was a soldier in civilian sheet metal and had a stellar war hero reputation that was likely an automotive marketer’s dream during the post-war years.
We at MyStarCollectorCar would like to share our five top reasons to love a first-generation Dodge Power Wagon.
The first reason is the Dodge Power Wagon was a timeless classic that had the same basic body style for 22 years (1946-68) in the North American market, along with an additional 10 years as a military gift (via the United States’ Military Defence Assistance Program) to friendly nations until 1978. The legacy of the Dodge Power Wagon will never be forgotten in military automotive history.
The second reason is the Dodge Power Wagon was an unstoppable force in difficult terrain and was able to mow down or climb over obstacles in its way. The Power Wagon’s ability to tame the impossible was a major reason why the truck has become a legend in both military and civilian worlds.
The third reason is the truck’s rugged good looks resisted change during its entire production run. The Dodge Power Wagon never succumbed to the radical style changes that occurred from 1946 until 1968 in the domestic vehicle market because the truck was a trailblazer in a literal and figurative sense, so there was no need to change it over the years.
The fourth reason is the Power Wagon was a brute force beast of a truck that offered few creature comforts for its owners. One could easily picture Clint Eastwood or John Wayne behind the wheel of a Dodge Power Wagon-but the picture gets very cloudy when one attempts to envision one of today’s celebrity geldings behind the wheel of a vintage Power Wagon.
Which brings us to our fifth, final and best reason to own a first-gen Dodge Power Wagon: the intimidation factor. These brutes look like full-on killers on 4 wheels, and they will indeed affect the good health of other vehicles and their drivers-if said drivers are foolish enough to challenge a Power Wagon on the road.
Our parting advice to other drivers? Look for a dust-up with a Power Wagon at your own risk because these alpha dogs can still run at the front of the pack.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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