Car ( Or in this case, truck ): Dodge Power Wagon

Year: 1953

What makes it special: The Dodge Power Wagon is a four wheel drive medium duty truck that was produced in various model series from 1945 to 1981, then as a nameplate for the Dodge Ram from 2005 to 2013, and, most recently ‘13-present, as an individual model marketed by Ram Trucks. It was developed as the WDX truck, and until about 1960 it was internally known by its engineering code T137 – a name still used for the original series by enthusiasts. The original civilian version, commonly called the “flat fender” Power Wagon or FFPW, was mechanically based on Dodge’s 3/4-ton WC series of World War II military trucks. The Power Wagon was the first mass-produced 4×4 medium duty truck, and represents a significant predecessor to the many modern four wheel drive trucks in use today. Updated variants continued in production until 1964.

What made it famous: Meant to compete with military-based Ford/Marmon-Herrington and GMC trucks, it had an enclosed all-weather civilian cab and a purpose-designed 8-foot cargo box. It had a 126 inch up to a 147″ wheelbase chassis and featured the 230 cubic-inch flathead inline-six engine, a 4-speed manual transmission, a two-speed 1.96-1 ratio low range transfer case for part time 4-wheel drive with a power take off, or PTO which would send power front or rear for operating auxiliary equipment, and 9.00/16-8 ply tires on 16×6.50 inch 5-stud split ring steel rims. In 1961 the 230 was replaced with the 251 cubic-inch flat head six.

Why I would want one: This to me is the ultimate four-wheel- drive truck. It has the clearance and gearing to go just about anywhere. It’s a kickass off-road vehicle.

Fun fact: Following Chrysler Corporation policy of badge engineering to provide a greater number of sales outlets overseas, Power Wagons were also marketed around the world under the Fargo and De Soto badges.

Car: Oldsmobile/Hurst Olds 4-4-2

Year: 1969

What makes it special: Following the success of Hurst components in Oldsmobile‘s 442 models, Oldsmobile, in collaboration with Hurst Performance of Warminster, Pennsylvania, produced special-edition performance versions of the 442 or Cutlass Supreme, the Hurst/Olds. The first Hurst/Olds was the 1968 Hurst/Olds.

What made it famous: The Hurst/Olds returned for the 1969 model year. The biggest change was the switch to a new Firefrost gold on white paint scheme. This would be the primary paint scheme for many Hurst/Olds models of later years. Instead of the dual ram air scoops under the front bumper that was used in ’68 and other ram air ’69’s, the H/O received a functional “mailbox” fiberglass hood scoop with H/O 455 on each side. A spoiler was mounted on the trunk and the car sat on unique 15×7 chrome SSII rims with Goodyear F60x15 Polyglas tires. The exterior was finished off with a pair of English racing mirrors, H/O emblems on the front fenders and deck lid, blacked out 442 grilles, and black hand-applied pinstripes.  Interior modifications included a different wood veneer on the mini-console, painted gold stripes on the headrests, and a Hurst/Olds emblem on the glove-box door. The non-drive train modifications were done at Demmer Engineering. The 455 cubic-inch Rocket V8 W46 was rated at 380 horsepower and 500 lb/ft of torque. This is the same engine as A/C equipped 68 Hurst Olds’ and provided better drivability. The same engine was used for both A/C and non-A/C cars. The engine received a unique intake manifold, chrome steel valve covers, and a special vacuum operated air cleaner lid to allow cold air from the hood scoop into the carburetor. This was backed up by a specially calibrated code OH Turbo 400 transmission and 3.42 gears for non-A/C cars or 3.08 gears for cars with A/C. Optional 3.91 gears were available only for non-A/C cars.

Why I would want one: If you wanted the ultimate Olds 4-4-2 for the 1960’s, the H/O 455 was the way to go.

Fun fact:  All of the ’68 and ’69 H/Os were pinstriped by one person. Approximately 913 cars were built including 2 convertibles for Hurst promotional use, one for East coast events and one for West coast events. (A third was built after one of the original two was destroyed.)

Car: Plymouth Fury

Year: 1958

What makes it special: The Fury was produced by Plymouth from 1955 to 1989. It was introduced for the 1956 model year as a sub-series of the Plymouth Belvedere, becoming a separate series one level above the contemporary Belvedere for 1959. The Fury was a full-size car from 1959 to 1961, then a mid-size car from 1962 to 1964, again a full-size car from 1965 to 1974, and again a mid-size car from 1975 to 1978. 

What made it famous: The Fury was a sub-series of the Plymouth Belvedere from 1956 through 1958.  In 1958 it was only available in Buckskin Beige with gold anodized aluminum trim. These Fury’s had a special interior, bumper wing-guards and a V8 engine with twin 4-barrel carburetors. The 1958, the 318 cu in engine produced 290 hp . In 1958, the optional engine was a 350 cu in called Golden Commando with two 4-bbl carburetors producing 305 hp. A 315 hp option with fuel injection was available, but the Bendix electronic fuel-injection system was recalled by the factory and owners were given a conventional dual 4-barrel setup. The Golden Commando engine was optional on any Fury, as was the dual 4-barrel 318 cu in, dubbed V-800 Dual Fury; 4- and 2-barrel 318’s also arrived for 1958 and were simply called V-800.

Why I would want one: It’s not only beautiful and stylish, but thanks to a 1983 movie adaptation of a Stephen King novel, it’s also sinister.

Fun fact: The model appears in popular culture as the subject of interest in the 1983 New York Times Best-selling novel Christine by Stephen King about a 1958 custom red and ivory Plymouth Fury that is part of a frightening love triangle. It was later adapted into a movie.