And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
When I was a young man, back in the early '70s, I was a mechanic at a CA Department of Forestry (former) inmate camp in Angels Camp (Vallecito) we acquired two rigs exactly like that as surplus property from the Air Force. They were originally Air Force blue and we painted them CDF dark green and white. They became the vehicles used by the camp's search and rescue team. They had six cylinder motors and four speed manual transmissions and one of them had an 8,000 pound Braden PTO winch. I believe they too were '65 year models.
At the time, I didn't have an appreciation of what groovy vehicles they were. I do now. I surely do.
All factory, Dan. I remember seeing 3/4 ton Power Wagons back in the early 60's occasionally. PG&E had several of them. They were the first factory 'lifted' rigs I'd ever seen, and I thought they were awesome. They must have been very expensive, as you didn't often see one that was privately owned.
I specifically remember noticing a spacer that was maybe 6" between the rear axle and spring packs. Funny the things a guy remembers after 60 years.
"Hey boss, since this has four doors we can make the front windows square so the driver can see better" "No, use the same windows as the standard cab, it'll be cheaper. Slap a piece of tin in the gap so it looks like a high-school shop class stretched the cab." Al_in_Ottawa
When I saw the tailpipe, I though 'Cummins'. I wonder if they just fitted the old body to a modern frame & running gear - the rear pumpkin looks like it might be more modern, as does the front steering gear. Definitely a very sharp and clean-looking truck
Damn...do not remember Dodge much in '65 but that is one fine cleanup that has aged well, except the lightage.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a young man, back in the early '70s, I was a mechanic at a CA Department of Forestry (former) inmate camp in Angels Camp (Vallecito) we acquired two rigs exactly like that as surplus property from the Air Force. They were originally Air Force blue and we painted them CDF dark green and white. They became the vehicles used by the camp's search and rescue team. They had six cylinder motors and four speed manual transmissions and one of them had an 8,000 pound Braden PTO winch. I believe they too were '65 year models.
ReplyDeleteAt the time, I didn't have an appreciation of what groovy vehicles they were. I do now. I surely do.
Was the drivetrain factory, or a retrofit?
ReplyDeleteAll factory, Dan.
DeleteI remember seeing 3/4 ton Power Wagons back in the early 60's occasionally. PG&E had several of them. They were the first factory 'lifted' rigs I'd ever seen, and I thought they were awesome. They must have been very expensive, as you didn't often see one that was privately owned.
I specifically remember noticing a spacer that was maybe 6" between the rear axle and spring packs. Funny the things a guy remembers after 60 years.
"Hey boss, since this has four doors we can make the front windows square so the driver can see better"
ReplyDelete"No, use the same windows as the standard cab, it'll be cheaper. Slap a piece of tin in the gap so it looks like a high-school shop class stretched the cab."
Al_in_Ottawa
I found this truck on a site call Diesel Army. It has been fitted with a cummings engine and many other modicstions.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the tailpipe, I though 'Cummins'. I wonder if they just fitted the old body to a modern frame & running gear - the rear pumpkin looks like it might be more modern, as does the front steering gear. Definitely a very sharp and clean-looking truck
ReplyDeleteI have a 68 w200 . Still runnin strong, but with a 488 spicer ? 54 mph is top end haha.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it might have parking sensors in the rear bumper. Maybe adds to the possibility it is an original body on a newer frame...
ReplyDeleteI recall seeing railroad trucks similar to that in the 60s.
ReplyDelete