Posted by JOe Cimoch on May 31, 1999 at 02:53:23:
In Reply to: ATTN: JOE CIMOCH posted by hp on May 28, 1999 at 16:08:44:
Here you go...
Posted by Tom on May 21, 1999 at 10:33:32:
Wanted to follow up with you to my search for a PW(see Old Forum #9."value of early vs late PW")
I have a '49 Dodge 3/4 ton red pickup but thanks to friends and you all I have been
hopelessly stricken with PW fever.
Yesterday I finally was able to hook up with the elusive owner of the '47 WDX in a tiny town here in SE Minnesota. I had last seen it parked in a pile of snow
this past January
and wrote in the Forum what I found condition wise, whether $5000 was too steep, and whether early PW's are
nicer to have (for whatever reason) than later models of the WM300.
On to the story....it seemed like work couldn't get over quick enough. I'd seen many pictures, read all I could(thanks to you and the PW Advertiser), and talked
to anyone I could find who had owned one.BUT! I had only seen a couple upclose and briefly including this one
(and that is when it was hidden partially by snow). I remembered that having a tailgate, good rear fenders, a winch and working brakes are good. Couldn't wait
to see this one.
Picked up my friend Stan who is 66 years old and who helps me work on my Dodge. He is the breed that you are all familiar with who has been a mechanic of
some sort(3 gas stations worth in his case)
and who can peer under a hood, listen and say," It's gotta be your...causin' the problem". He amazes me and I knew he'd be a good companion to help me
check this "new" truck.
out.
We drove 14 miles out of town on a 2 lane road till we came to the town at the bend in the road. Was one of those towns with not even a gas station or
grocery store. Started to rain(naturally) as we drove down a narrow alley to the fellows house.
Small place...built behind the shop he owned.Cozy place...newer(70's) PW parked on a gravel driveway next to the place. Car and truck parts scattered about
and the odd cat running to escape the rain.
MY eyes however were focused on THE truck. Faded green..parked behind the shop with the wheels cocked slightly to the right. Something about just the
stance of these trucks gets me going. You may know the feelin.
Anyway Dave was out there putting in a battery when I drove up. He was late 50's, beard,..nice fellow. We shook hands and he told me the story of the truck.
He had trailered it from Washington State 10 years ago along with a an late 50's retractable. Bought it from the original owner who bought it in '47. Was
evidently used
to plow and pull the hay baler on the farm at a time when tractors were scarce(something I didn't know). Has a PTO but no winch.Dave had planned to restore
it but lost interest over the years. He drove it only occasionally to the odd car show or on a nice summer day. Otherwise it sat next to his garage.
He started it up and Stan and I set to checking it over. It idled just like my Dodge(engines are the same I've found)..no engine noise but Stan said the carb
could use some adjustment. Aside from the scattered small dents the body was amazing good.Wood in the bed was
faded and cracked but still filled in the floor. Tailgate was solid. Crawled underneath and aside from light surface rust it looked solid.Cab floors under the mat
were a bit more rusty but solid underneath. Inside the seat was covered with black ?leather which I don't know if was
original..glove box missing, headliner missing pieces that had finally fell down. Gauges all worked. Glass was smoky(from sittin'out?). Front window cranked
out but had some old sealant caulked aroung the outside. Horn worked.No blue smoke.
Tires were Goodyear with an ancient nondirectional bolted to the right side.
We walked to a nearby garage where he had spare parts to go with including 2 rims, axle, misc brake parts,and the PTO.
Couldn't drive it because the brakes didn't work. Maybe needed bleeding, maybe something more.
Price, as I mentioned before was $5000...seemed steep but the guy knows the scarcity in this neck of the woods
and knows the value as he gets the PWA.
I'd have to sell my truck as I don't have a machine shed and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the wife says I have to if I get a PW(sound familiar?).
Dave and I chatted a bit. Felt him out about the price but he seems pretty tight on 5 grand. Not sure how he'd take a lower offer.
I'd like to drive it before buying but I get the sense he's in no hurry to fix the brakes as he's got alot of other projects around the shop to work on first.
After we said goodbye and I told Dave I'd thinked about it, Stan took his dog and sat in my van while I stood in the rain(told you I was hooked) and walked
around the truck a few more times. It's the first one I've looked at and I know many of you have said take your time,lots hiding out there, check out more than
one,etc
and I plan to mull all that over. Overall it was a very educational afternoon for this first time PW seeker. Will let you know how the story ends.
Posted by LJ on May 21, 1999 at 17:55:36:
In Reply to: Story of first-time PW seeker posted by Tom on May 21, 1999 at 10:33:32:
where were all of you who were willing to spend 4-5 grand when i had my trucks for sale.same condition,only cheaper.only advertised them for 4
months.waaay too many tire kickers out there.
Posted by Steve Elliot on May 21, 1999 at 16:09:27:
In Reply to: Story of first-time PW seeker posted by Tom on May 21, 1999 at 10:33:32:
Tom,
Enjoyed your story also. I know exactly how you feel. In my case the Power Wagon I bought was one of about five to choose from. I spent way more than I
expected to and I don't regret it for one minute. It sounds like all the parts are there and the body is in good shape. That is important. You can find cheaper
trucks but then you have to consider cost of getting the truck home. I would offer $4000 and see what he says. Myself, I would spend $4000 and even $5000
for the truck you described. It's kind of up to you on whether you can afford that much. Good luck. I hope you get it. By the way a winch is worth about $1000
these days. You can add one later if you want.
Steve E.
Posted by Steve on May 21, 1999 at 13:53:54:
In Reply to: Story of first-time PW seeker posted by Tom on May 21, 1999 at 10:33:32:
I'm with Nick. $5000 is too much for the truck described in the story. Since its owner gets the PWA, he knows it's not worth 5 grand. If you are still interested,
take 3 thousand with you and let him sniff it. If he tries to raise the ante 5 hundred, call him and make him throw in the brakes.
There are sound trucks out there at reasonable prices. Remember the cost of the truck is only the entry fee to this hobby. Fixing up one of these things can
get real pricey.
Good Luck
Steve
Posted by Galen on May 21, 1999 at 12:14:27:
In Reply to: Story of first-time PW seeker posted by Tom on May 21, 1999 at 10:33:32:
Loved your story...Can hardly wait to see how it ends. (Is it one of those kind where we must fill in the appropriate ending?!) In any event I've been in your
situation. Once saw 3 WC 1/2 tonners go by at acution ant lost out on all by a few bucks. In any event. the cure is take a long cold shower, or a 3 mile jog.
Then go back in a few days. Offer say 4000 instead see his reaction. go up a little even. But,if your heart is realy set on this truck GO FOR IT. Hey, its only
money and you may kick yourself if its gone. If its cosmetically ok that the big factor. If it has a good bed and little rust its probably worth it. So-its a little high
whats a few bucks. Keep us posted!
Posted by Nick on May 21, 1999 at 10:53:10:
In Reply to: Story of first-time PW seeker posted by Tom on May 21, 1999 at 10:33:32:
Two things;
1. Never buy the first one you see. (I almost did that with an M37. I'm glad I didn't. Even though I still haven't found another one, the first one I looked at would
have been a big mistake had I bought it. It just needed too much work. Work which I am unable to do. I'll wait for one that is in better shape).
2. Never offer what they are asking. I don't care how badly you want it, or how firm you think the seller is. Chances are, nobody's beating down his door to buy
it, so if he's willing to let you(who might be his only potential buyer in years) walk because he's dead set on getting 5k, then let him keep it.