OP
The early ones actually had wooden bumpers (oak?), so this isn't some redneck example.
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Car pics too cool not to share
- Thread starter Squatch
- Start date
OP
And the same company also made these. Can you make out the script on the fuel tank?
I can zoom in. That's actually a new one for me. I've heard of Powell mini bikes, but had no idea they made a truck. I can't say it's pretty, but it's interesting, especially those pull-out tray tubes.
OP
Google 'em. The read on what actually comprised the build of the Powell trucks is fascinating to me. Could never get away with it these days!
Wow. I'm not sure what to think about those trucks. Interesting. Government bureaucrats today would have fits over something like that. I say we bring 'em back for that reason alone.
"... they started building pickups in the mid-Fifties based on available Plymouth and Dodge chassis and drivetrains. The pickups were first assembled in 1954 on stripped and rebuilt 1940 and '41 Plymouth sedan chassis with inline 201-cubic-inch six-cylinder Mopar engines and released as 1955 models. Each truck was assembled from available chassis and engines, so many Powell pickups are unique. Some models used varying years of Plymouth engines, while others used Dodge and even a few Chrysler industrial engines. Early models featured an all-steel body with a fiberglass nose. They used oak bumpers and tailgates until they were deemed unsafe, and metal pieces were added on later models. The chrome horizontal grille bars were borrowed from a 1950 Ford sedan rear door. The dashboard was also built around a stock Plymouth instrument cluster. A few late-production 1956 trucks used a steering wheel from a Henry J instead of the standard Plymouth wheel."
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1956-powell-pickup-trucks
"... they started building pickups in the mid-Fifties based on available Plymouth and Dodge chassis and drivetrains. The pickups were first assembled in 1954 on stripped and rebuilt 1940 and '41 Plymouth sedan chassis with inline 201-cubic-inch six-cylinder Mopar engines and released as 1955 models. Each truck was assembled from available chassis and engines, so many Powell pickups are unique. Some models used varying years of Plymouth engines, while others used Dodge and even a few Chrysler industrial engines. Early models featured an all-steel body with a fiberglass nose. They used oak bumpers and tailgates until they were deemed unsafe, and metal pieces were added on later models. The chrome horizontal grille bars were borrowed from a 1950 Ford sedan rear door. The dashboard was also built around a stock Plymouth instrument cluster. A few late-production 1956 trucks used a steering wheel from a Henry J instead of the standard Plymouth wheel."
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1956-powell-pickup-trucks
OP
Yup. Fascinating stuff!Wow. I'm not sure what to think about those trucks. Interesting. Government bureaucrats today would have fits over something like that. I say we bring 'em back for that reason alone.
"... they started building pickups in the mid-Fifties based on available Plymouth and Dodge chassis and drivetrains. The pickups were first assembled in 1954 on stripped and rebuilt 1940 and '41 Plymouth sedan chassis with inline 201-cubic-inch six-cylinder Mopar engines and released as 1955 models. Each truck was assembled from available chassis and engines, so many Powell pickups are unique. Some models used varying years of Plymouth engines, while others used Dodge and even a few Chrysler industrial engines. Early models featured an all-steel body with a fiberglass nose. They used oak bumpers and tailgates until they were deemed unsafe, and metal pieces were added on later models. The chrome horizontal grille bars were borrowed from a 1950 Ford sedan rear door. The dashboard was also built around a stock Plymouth instrument cluster. A few late-production 1956 trucks used a steering wheel from a Henry J instead of the standard Plymouth wheel."
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1956-powell-pickup-trucks
I've actually seen two of the pickups for sale in Washington state (two different sellers). One was close to being a driver, and the other was definitely more of a project (think "field car" status). The
Can you imagine going into a parts store and requesting a fuel pump for your '56 Powell?
I'm very familiar with the blank stare that would ensue.
"54 Pontiac Bonneville Special concept car
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/pontiac-bonneville-special-concept-1954.343013/
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/pontiac-bonneville-special-concept-1954.343013/
Yeah... I get that stare a lot with the motorhome. I generally "fib" and tell them I'm working on a 78 Toronado. That usually gets me what I need, unless I'm working on something other than the engine or front suspension.I'm very familiar with the blank stare that would ensue.
OP
Not a huge fan of the rear styling, but I love it for what it is.
I know it's most likely a spare tire but It would have made more sense for the design to do it on Chryslers '53/'53 Turbine Car.Not a huge fan of the rear styling, but I love it for what it is.
Head Lice
TJ Addict
^^ It looks fast just standing still . . . .
Turbine with heat waves
Turbine with heat waves
Jay Leno has one...^^ It looks fast just standing still . . . .
Turbine with heat waves
Looks like a very expensive toy store to me. The kind of place I shouldn't be allowed to enter.
That first Hudson is a 1937. Hudson added the grill louvers because of overheating issues from the 1936 grill.
Here's one from 1936 that's been somewhat customized. I took these pictures in 2006 and used Terraplane when naming them but it might be a Hudson. They were almost the same cars and most parts were interchangeable. Originally the centered sections of the grille were chrome (maybe stainless or nickel? IDK), while the outer outer sections were body color.
Looking at those tires and wheels it's hard to tell what kind of drivetrain is under there. Looking at the engine makes it more questionable
The red truck in the second picture could be a 1938 Hudson but it might be a Hudson Terraplane. The Terraplane started out as the Essex Terraplane in 1932 and 1933, switched to just Terraplane in 1934 and became a Hudson model in 1938, its last year. Here's another 1938 Hudson that was somewhat customized at the same show.
And its engine:
Same car one year later:
I'm guessing that third Hudson Truck picture is 1947. The hood emblem looks just a little too tall to be a 1946 Hudson and the pre war Hudsons didn't have the recesses in the center of the grill.
I find it interesting that there is such a large collection of pipe unions at a hot rod shop. That must be one hell of a fuel line.
OP