Posted by Clint Dixon on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 9:57PM :
In Reply to: Re: Rare? repost of my response! posted by Marty on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 5:26PM :
I can only comment on my observations here in West-Central Illinois/South-East Iowa. In 1976, I knew of only one POWER-WAGON in this area. In 1980, I bought one from 400 miles Northwest of here, then another from Conneticut. I would not say that the quantities of POWER-WAGONS in this part of the country ever compared favorably to trucks from other manufactures of the time period. But during the past 25 years, I have come to believe that we had our fair share.
This area is smack dab right in the middle of farm country, immediately surrounding the recognized "farm implement capital of the world". During the heyday (pun intended) of the POWER-WAGON, the average local farmer was very well equipped with the latest tractors, modern farm equipment, and pickup trucks. But still, many spent the extra money to buy an expensive POWER-WAGON. These were not rich farmers. Most farms were still small family owned plots of 160 acres. But these were the people who bought most of the POWER-WAGONS sold around here. There were just not the large logging, mining companies, and construction companies located here that found interest in the POWER-WAGON in other areas of the country.
Here is what I have learned in 25 years: There are currently 16 WDX-WM300 POWER-WAGONS within a radius of 35 miles of my home, (not counting mine). Double this radius to 70 miles, and the total grows to 23. There are probably more, but the further away from home I get, the bigger the area of coverage, and the more trucks get missed or overlooked. Of those 16, only 3 have not been here the whole time. Most people do not know about these trucks. They are hidden away and seldom seen by anyone but the owners. I have spoken to MANY local people over the years about local POWER-WAGONS. From these conversations, I have learned that there were only about 3 or 4 more that have moved away and 3 that have been parted out. Those that were here, are, for the most part, still here. Practically none ended up in the crusher. I have MANY accounts from the oldtimers to back this up. I have thought certain trucks were lost to history, only to find out later that they do still exist hidden away locally. Marty, you are correct thought that most were not garaged. Most here were "machine shedded". Or as Spence would say, "Kept in the tool shed."
Right or wrong, of those 16, none are "restored" and only 2 have been "refurbished".
Clint
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