 Dodge
Power Wagon -
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"Spanning Time"
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"While working on the clay model, we brought a red 1946 Power Wagon into the studio," said Mark Allen, the Power Wagon's exterior designer. "From the pictures, we thought it was humongous, but it was dwarfed when placed next to the 1999 concept."
Standing well above the original 1946 Power Wagon, the silver-bodied concept's 35-inch tires help place the vehicle's overall height at 77 inches, or three inches taller than today's four-wheel-drive Ram. Built off the Ram chassis, the Power Wagon's cab is similar in size to the Dakota Club Cab to portray the classic proportions of the original truck. Like the Ram Quad Cab, the Power Wagon concept features rear-hinged half doors to provide easy access to the rear storage area. Instead of extra seating, designers chose to offer expanded storage space with drawers built into the back of the cab. A power-actuated tailgate eases loading and unloading.
"Early in the design process, we debated whether to do a basic work truck versus an upscale truck," Allen said. "We chose to distance ourselves from the ultimate simplicity of the original truck. That's why you don't see the spare tire mounted on the side of the truck box or free-standing head lamps. I see this as a thrill-seeker's truck, for the gear-oriented sports enthusiast. It's the vehicle to take you rock climbing or mountain biking."
Some of the elements surviving from the post-WWII model include the separated bumpers, fenders and running boards. The gray, raw steel bumpers of the new concept contrast with the silver painted body and aluminum detail on the gas cap, door handles, hinges and wheels, helping to modernize the truck's image.
From the front of the vehicle, the recognizable Dodge crosshair grille sits above another Power Wagon distinguishing feature-a front-mounted power winch. A winch this size could be powerful enough to pull an eighteen-wheel truck out of a ditch, and goes well beyond the normal call of duty. Gas-discharged projector beam head lamps are another item that sets this concept truck apart from the rest of the pack.
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