Posted by Tom on May 21, 1999 at 10:33:32:
Wanted to follow up with you to my search for a PW(see Old Forum #9."value of early vs late PW")
I have a '49 Dodge 3/4 ton red pickup but thanks to friends and you all I have been
hopelessly stricken with PW fever.
Yesterday I finally was able to hook up with the elusive owner of the '47 WDX in a tiny town here in SE Minnesota. I had last seen it parked in a pile of snow this past January
and wrote in the Forum what I found condition wise, whether $5000 was too steep, and whether early PW's are
nicer to have (for whatever reason) than later models of the WM300.
On to the story....it seemed like work couldn't get over quick enough. I'd seen many pictures, read all I could(thanks to you and the PW Advertiser), and talked to anyone I could find who had owned one.BUT! I had only seen a couple upclose and briefly including this one
(and that is when it was hidden partially by snow). I remembered that having a tailgate, good rear fenders, a winch and working brakes are good. Couldn't wait to see this one.
Picked up my friend Stan who is 66 years old and who helps me work on my Dodge. He is the breed that you are all familiar with who has been a mechanic of some sort(3 gas stations worth in his case)
and who can peer under a hood, listen and say," It's gotta be your...causin' the problem". He amazes me and I knew he'd be a good companion to help me check this "new" truck.
out.
We drove 14 miles out of town on a 2 lane road till we came to the town at the bend in the road. Was one of those towns with not even a gas station or grocery store. Started to rain(naturally) as we drove down a narrow alley to the fellows house.
Small place...built behind the shop he owned.Cozy place...newer(70's) PW parked on a gravel driveway next to the place. Car and truck parts scattered about and the odd cat running to escape the rain.
MY eyes however were focused on THE truck. Faded green..parked behind the shop with the wheels cocked slightly to the right. Something about just the stance of these trucks gets me going. You may know the feelin.
Anyway Dave was out there putting in a battery when I drove up. He was late 50's, beard,..nice fellow. We shook hands and he told me the story of the truck.
He had trailered it from Washington State 10 years ago along with a an late 50's retractable. Bought it from the original owner who bought it in '47. Was evidently used
to plow and pull the hay baler on the farm at a time when tractors were scarce(something I didn't know). Has a PTO but no winch.Dave had planned to restore it but lost interest over the years. He drove it only occasionally to the odd car show or on a nice summer day. Otherwise it sat next to his garage.
He started it up and Stan and I set to checking it over. It idled just like my Dodge(engines are the same I've found)..no engine noise but Stan said the carb could use some adjustment. Aside from the scattered small dents the body was amazing good.Wood in the bed was
faded and cracked but still filled in the floor. Tailgate was solid. Crawled underneath and aside from light surface rust it looked solid.Cab floors under the mat were a bit more rusty but solid underneath. Inside the seat was covered with black ?leather which I don't know if was
original..glove box missing, headliner missing pieces that had finally fell down. Gauges all worked. Glass was smoky(from sittin'out?). Front window cranked out but had some old sealant caulked aroung the outside. Horn worked.No blue smoke.
Tires were Goodyear with an ancient nondirectional bolted to the right side.
We walked to a nearby garage where he had spare parts to go with including 2 rims, axle, misc brake parts,and the PTO.
Couldn't drive it because the brakes didn't work. Maybe needed bleeding, maybe something more.
Price, as I mentioned before was $5000...seemed steep but the guy knows the scarcity in this neck of the woods
and knows the value as he gets the PWA.
I'd have to sell my truck as I don't have a machine shed and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the wife says I have to if I get a PW(sound familiar?).
Dave and I chatted a bit. Felt him out about the price but he seems pretty tight on 5 grand. Not sure how he'd take a lower offer.
I'd like to drive it before buying but I get the sense he's in no hurry to fix the brakes as he's got alot of other projects around the shop to work on first.
After we said goodbye and I told Dave I'd thinked about it, Stan took his dog and sat in my van while I stood in the rain(told you I was hooked) and walked around the truck a few more times. It's the first one I've looked at and I know many of you have said take your time,lots hiding out there, check out more than one,etc
and I plan to mull all that over. Overall it was a very educational afternoon for this first time PW seeker. Will let you know how the story ends.