Posted by Clint Dixon [74.206.63.24] on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 18:43:27 :
In Reply to: early dodges posted by Dave [76.92.82.86] on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 14:35:28 :
The truck was mentioned in several short articles in Chrysler publications and independent magazines before the Feb 1946 Popular Science article. Actual first announcement of the Power-Wagon name (with hyphen) was made on page 26 in the March 1946 issue, volume 76, number 491, of the magazine titled: "Power Wagon, The Motor Truck Journal."
The images in the Popular Science article are noteworthy in that they show some interesting tidbits of trivia. The truck appears to be painted in a very light color. Uncommon for such an early vehicle. Note that the grill is painted the same color as the rest of the sheetmetal - not unusual. There are however moldings shown on the sides of the grill. Some images of very early trucks show the sides of the grill uncovered. The license plate bracket is mounted to the passenger side bumperette, as opposed to the more common, and later, driver's side location. The belt pulley drive is another matter. The one pictured is a very early version - maybe even a prototype. It does not have the large fill/level plug pointing to the passenger side, instead it has a small pipe plug pointing directly to the rear. This was a completely different cast housing than what we see on trucks today. The expected holes in the face of the rear crossmember where the first version drawbar would have mounted are absent.
Both of the images may not have come from the same truck, but for appearing in a February article, they are a conglomeration of prototype, very early, and early details.
Junior