Posted by Moby on October 01, 1999 at 19:53:29:
So I'm out in E. Wa. state chasing down PW stuff. I am told by a local salvage yard "Naw, we dont have any of that Dodge power truck stuff, Heyjimbob!! Hey does Earl still rum dem old dodge 4 wheel drives?". to which a voice from under a nearby hulk that is known only to me as Heyjimbob says, "Yea, he still live down dat wolf pit creek down yonder dere, go an talk to him." I follow directions down this old country road to a incredible A-frame house in a beautiful meadow. Low and behold there sits a 2nd series PW next to a well used barn/garage/workshop. I would also add theres plenty of machinery of all types in various states of assembly around. If you have ever had any hint of mechanical aptitude the place commands instant respect. I walk up to the house and am greeted by a gent in his 50's. "I was told you are the man to talk to about Powerwagons and was wondering if you could spare a minute?" I say.
"Always got time to talk truck." He says, then adds "meet me in the barn, I'll grab the beer." The inside is three times as impressive as the outside. His real pride was the '53 b3pw as he said he has modified a bit. It looked like a bone stock PW on the outside but on inspection found a desoto truck hemi under the hood. He thought it needed to be more agile off road so he put in a swivel frame he built himself. But that's not the most amazing thing, He did'nt like the turning radius so he put a front axle on the back and built himself 4 wheel steering! Pretty neat stuff I thought. And it was'nt a hack job either it looked really good. I asked him about the 4.89's but he said he never went faster than 30 mph in it anyway. Nothing beats good old American know how and craftsmanship!