Dodge Power Wagon

Dodge Power Wagon
Country	USA
Class	Full-size pickup truck
Production	1945–1980
Built	Unknow

The Dodge Power Wagon is a four wheel drive medium duty truck that was produced in various model series from 1945 to 1981 by Dodge, then as a nameplate for the Dodge Ram from 2005 to 2013, and, most recently ‘13-present, as an individual model marketed by Ram Trucks. It was developed as the WDX truck, and until about 1960 it was internally known by its engineering code T137 – a name still used for the original series by enthusiasts.

Source: Dodge Power Wagon on Wikipedia

1950 Dodge Fire Truck Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Capital City Airshow, Sacramento
Photos	62

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1950 Dodge Fire Truck 04

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1950 Dodge Fire Truck 06

1950 Dodge Fire Truck 07

1950 Dodge Fire Truck 08

1950 Dodge Fire Truck 09

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General Characteristics and Role

The 1950 Dodge fire truck typically utilized the chassis from Dodge’s medium-duty B-Series or C-Series trucks (such as the B-3 or C-3 models), customized by specialist fire apparatus builders like American LaFrance or Barton-American. These trucks were widely used by smaller municipal and volunteer fire departments in the post-war era, providing reliable and affordable service. The design favored a rugged, straightforward mechanical layout and a familiar cab-over-engine or conventional-cab style. The 1950s era represented a transition in fire truck design, moving toward more specialized apparatus, but the Dodge chassis provided a dependable workhorse platform for carrying pumps, water, and essential equipment.

Property	Typical Value (Medium-Duty Chassis)
Role	Pumper or Tanker Fire Apparatus
National Origin	United States
Manufacturer (Chassis)	Dodge (Chrysler Corporation)
Model Series	B-Series or C-Series (e.g., 1.5-ton rating)
Production Year	1950
Drive Layout	4×2 rear-wheel drive
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)	Approx. 15,000 to 20,000 lbs (6,800 to 9,070 kg)
Cab Type	Conventional (Engine forward of the cab)

Powerplant and Firefighting Capabilities

Engine: Typically a Dodge L-head straight-six engine (also known as the flathead six).
Power Output: Ranging from approximately 95 to 115 hp, depending on the engine size and tune.
Transmission: Usually a 4-speed synchromesh manual transmission.
Pumping Capacity: These trucks were generally fitted with pumps capable of discharging water at 500 gallons per minute (GPM), which was standard for basic municipal service at the time.
Water Tank: Common tank capacity ranged from 300 to 500 gallons.
Key Feature: Simplicity and durability, allowing them to remain in service in small departments well into the 1970s.

Design Context and Legacy

Chassis Base: The 1950 truck was part of the post-war trend where commercial chassis were adapted into fire apparatus, offering lower cost than custom-built options.
Apparatus Body: The fire body often featured open jump seats on the rear or sides for transporting firefighters, a design that would later be phased out for safety reasons.
Modernization: The use of the powerful flathead six engine was nearing its end, soon to be replaced by the more powerful overhead valve (OHV) V8 engines that would dominate the late 1950s and beyond.
Collector’s Item: Today, the 1950s Dodge fire trucks are prized by antique vehicle collectors for their classic styling and nostalgic connection to the volunteer fire service era.