my new truck

Don't know bout the truck but the winch looks like it would pull the a$@hole out of the sun.

Now THAT is a restoration project and a half.

Good score.

Cheers

Would love to see the progress over the years....

if you need a tow,this is my new towing vehicle
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Howard,

My book "U.S. Military Wheeled Vehicles" by Fred W. Crismon say this about these vehicles:

Quote , "In 1949 the US Army needed a new all wheel drive truck in the one ton class, and opted to purchase a civilian vehicle with an impressive military background. After WW2 Dodge had capitalised on the success of their WC series three quarter ton trucks, by introducing this one-ton Power Wagon for the civilian market. The pre-war closed cab was fitted (complete with cowl-mounted parking lamps), a longer cargo bed allowed for larger loads, and a longer 126 inch wheel base replaced the 98 inches used on the cargo bodied WC series. The same basic Chrysler model T-214 flat head six cylinder 230.2 cubic inch engine which had powered the WC series was used in the Power Wagon, although the horsepower was up then to 102. A four speed transmission with two speed transfers gave eight forward speeds, two in reverse. Tyres were 9.00x16, overall length was 199 inches, and it weighed 8,700 pounds. It was also available with a front mounted winch".

As a small child we lived in a couple of the SMHEA towns, and these vehicles were quite predominant, as were the early Landrovers. The reason as far as I can fathom out for these to be imported was that the LWB Landrover hadn't hit the market, and there was no 1 ton FWD vehicle in the UK, and as the rules at the time expected Govt. to buy British, there must have been considerable work done behind the scenes to get the approval to spend dollars instead of quids. Ordinary 4 x 2 trucks had problems negotiating some of the roads in the mountains, hence the need for a decent load carrying 4 x 4.

The authority fitted seat belts to their vehicles very early in the piece, is this one so fitted.

I have often wondered what happened to these vehicles, as I know the Australian Army didn't use them, but I think the RAAF had a couple configured as ambulances. I haven't seen any since the early 50's.

Good luck with your future endeavours. There's a photo of one with my old man standing at the front of it in my archives, I'll see if I can find it, and post it.

Mate--a bit of 'nicky' and a lick of enamel paint and it'll come up like a dream !!

Have you got it at home Howard?