Posted by Photo Classified on October 02, 2000 at 21:01:12:
Ron Brimberry wrote:
I bought this truck from a guy in Morgantown, Arkansas in 1988 who worked for
the physical plant at our University Hospital. He had owned it for a few
years and told me it was a farm truck from somewhere around Malvern,
Arkansas. He also told me that in the early days of the electric
cooperatives in Arkansas that they used Power Wagons for their fleet, so I
guess it could have been used for that too.
It was in rough shape when I bought it, but it did drive and the 4 wheel
drive was then and is now fully functional. I originally used it to haul
stuff that I needed for the house and grounds, and mostly did just mechanical
work on it for the first 6 or 7 years I owned it.
Anyway, the brakes were worked on, I had the clutch and radiator replaced and
kept it tuned and running. Disaster struck one day driving to work when a
terrible crunching and grinding sound came from the rear end bringing me to a
screeching halt on the freeway. At first I thought a wheel was shearing off,
but it ended up being the rear end got torn up. I was unable to drive it for
close to a year because I could not find a replacement part anywhere
(something about having a rare axle spline ratio according to my mechanic).
Finally I paid an arm and a leg for a rebuilt rear end from Memphis Equipment
Company and got back on the road. Shortly after that the original flathead 6
"blew up" and I had a rebuilt flathead 6 put in.
The next phase came over the last 5-6 years when I decided to get the
bodywork restored. First this great guy in Benton, Arkansas
refashioned new sheetmetal for the rusted out
lower door panels, some spots on the rear fenders and rear cab and
floorboards. I took it to a guy in Jacksonville, Arkansas after that who did
the body and paint work for me. He kept it for over a year and charged me a
fortune, but he did a very nice job. I had some more trouble with the rear
end after that and had it worked on again. I replaced all the glass, and all
is done with that except I cannot find the vent window rubbers to finish
drying in the cab. I have an interior kit, not yet installed. I replaced
the oak bed but unfortunately used cold blue steel runners which have already
begun rusting. I have a set of stainless steel runners that will come along
with the truck for the new owner. Most of the exterior chrome that needed it
was redone. The front and rear bumpers are not original. I have a towbar
for the truck. I have recently been told that the steering column and wheel
may be from a 1959 model. I matched the paint color with an old color chip
from 1957 Dodge truck colors (thanks to Don Bunn) called Ponchartrain green,
with sand for the wheels and accents.
It is so close to being finished that all it needs is a new owner who is
willing to do the work. The engine runs well but the carburetor needs some
adjusting. Lately I have had some trouble with the clutch linkage messing
up. I love this old truck and would like for someone to own it who will appreciate
it as much as I have. I simply don't have the time, the money or the space to
keep it any longer. Please help me find it a good home.
It is officially a 1957 W100 Power Wagon, 1/2 ton. Apparently only about 632
of this model were manufactured, so I suspect it is a rare truck. I also
have a few years of back issues of The Power Wagon Advertiser that I would
give up with the truck, as well as clear title, and receipts for work done.
I would like $8000 for the truck. I have spent well over that amount for the
work done. I can be reached by email most efficiently. If a prospective
buyer wants to talk on the phone, my home phone is 501-443-0931. The truck
is at my home in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Sweetbrim@aol.com