Powell Sport Wagon
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.
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Contents
Direct Competition
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"
Height
Wheelbase
117"
Front/Rear Track
Curb Weight
2700 pounds
Famous Examples of This Model
Movies
TV Series
Racing
Owner/Driver Impressions
Name of Reviewer
References
This Wiki requires References
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Books & Magazine References
Internet
- MoparWeb.com
- Hand Eye Supply
- Makes That Didn't Make it
- Petersen
- Powell Sport Wagon Registry
- Hemmings
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