Powell Sport Wagon

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In the mid-1950s, America's lofty goals were not yet to put a man on the moon, but for a good twenty-five cent cigar and a new car for under $1,000 - which is about $11,300 in 2023 money (#LGB). Brothers Channing and Hayward Powell would build what they advertised as "America’s 1st car produced to sell below $1000.”

Their company Powell Manufacturing Company (PMC) of Compton, CA started manufacturing radios in 1928, but quickly moved on to building scooters and minibikes. In 1954, they started building 1955 model Pickup trucks.

Their unique way of achieving that under $1000 goal was to buy junked 1940-1941 Plymouth Chassis and refurbish. Later they would also use Dodge Chassis. They'd buy the cars and discard the bodies. On that, they would place a Pickup truck or a SUV "Sport Wagon" body they fabricated with a fiberglass front clip. The cab rearward was simple design without complex curves so it could be quickly made without stamping dies. One of the most unique features were the Fishing Pole Storage, which pulled out from the rear of the truck. While no records remain of the company, approximately 1,030 pickups, 300 (beginning in late 1956) Sport Wagons and three motorhomes were built. Less than 150 are thought to still survive. The engines were mostly Plymouth 202ci Sixes, however some were built with Dodge and Chrysler Industrial engines. They started out with Oak bumpers, until deemed unsafe, then switched to metal. Diamond Plate bumpers were an option. The chrome strips on the grill were actually rear side trim from the rear fender of a 50 Ford Sedan

Powell's Pickup Truck & SUV manufacturing only lasted from (started Production of the 1955 models in 1954) 1955 until early 1957. The company returned to building Scooters and mini-bikes in 1960. The reason the Powell Pickups and Sport Wagons make it into the MoparWiki, is it's Mopar Drivetrains.

1956 Powell Pickup

Early Pickup Brochure

Early Pickup Brochure

Fishing Pole Storage & Diamondplate read bumper

Disassembling and steam cleaning what will be used from Junk Plymouths

Assembly Line. Note the Fiberglass front clip

Direct Competition

Jeep

Technical

Price Class

Goal was to be priced under $1,000

Platform

The platform was from Salvage parts from 1940 and 1941 Plymouths which were cleaned refurbished and painted.

Available Engines

Refurbished Plymouth, Dodge and Chrysler Industrial Sixes.

Available Transmissions

Refurbished Mopar 3-speed manual transmission

Overall Length

168"

Overall Width

72"

Wheelbase

117"

Curb Weight

2700 pounds

References

Internet

• MoparWeb.com
• Hand Eye Supply
• Makes That Didn't Make it
• Petersen
• Powell Sport Wagon Registry
• Hemmings

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