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Town Wagon / Town Panels through the years
 
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This page has pictures of every year of Town Wagon and Town Panel ever made. The pictures on this page are the best, and most original ones I could find. The blurbs next to the pictures cover some easy ways to tell the trucks apart, as well as pointing out things on the trucks that are aftermarket or special order.

4wd became available in 1957, so 1957 and up has pictures of both 2wd (D series) and 4wd (W series) trucks. I used what pictures I could find, and most of them turned out to be Town Wagons, except for the lack of windows, and some interior differences the TPs and TWs are basically the same, so the pictures should help identify both.

I hope you find this page useful!

If you have any further information about a these trucks, or you have a picture to share please E-mail me at townwagon@hotmail.com. Thanks!

  1954 Town Panel:

C-1 Series

1954 was the first year for the Town Panel. For the first time Dodge used a single-piece curved windshield instead of the flat 2-piece windshield used by the earlier panel trucks. Standard from the factory the grill bars on '54 TPs were painted body color, this truck has the optional chrome moldings on them. The Dodge badge on the hood is smaller than on the '55-'56 trucks. Above the DODGE badge was either a circular rams head medallion (shown) for a flat six engine, or a V badge with an 8 in the middle for V8. Another dress option are chrome chevrons above the marker lights.
  1955 First Series Town Panel:
C-1 Series
In this the second year of Town Panel production, Dodge continued to use the "Job-Rated" badge on the rear of the front fenders. I have been unable to determine any differences between '54 and '55 first series. From what I can determine the serial numbers for these trucks are confusing enough to make it difficult to tell what year you own.
  1955 Second Series Town Panel:
C-3 Series

The major change in the '55 second series was the move to the wrap around front windshield with the associated change in the front doors. Dodge also started using a taller DODGE badge on the nose, as well as using a one piece V8 badge. The grill and the surrounding area were all painted beige instead of body color. The truck pictured has the correct black paint on both the steps and bumper. The bumper pictured had the optional guards on it.

This is actually a 1956 TP, but it looks the same as a 1955, so that is what I am using it as.

  1956 Town Wagon:
C-3 Series
I have been unable to determine any differences between '55 second series and '56. And as with '54 and '55 first series the serial numbers for these trucks are confusing enough to make it difficult to tell what year you have. One difference that I have found is the "Forward Look" arrow in the fender replaces the "Job-Rated" badge. The grill bars and surrounding area should be painted beige as in the picture above, not body color as is pictured here. Also the bumper and steps should be black. The hood ornament is also incorrect for this truck, it is a 1948-53 truck hood ornament. Marker lights on this truck should be clear.
  1957 2wd Town Wagon (D100):
K Series
In 1957 Dodge made many major changes. The hood changed from the "butterfly" side opening style to the "alligator"style front opening hood. The core support was changed to provide the popular hooded headlights as well as changing the grill. The door handles changed from a Turing style to a pull style. The "Forward Look" arrow on the fender was increased in size and a 100 badge was added behind it. Bumpers are now beige instead of black.
  1957 Power Wagon Town Wagon (W100):
K Series
This is the first year for Dodge factory built 4wd Town Wagons and Panels. The big deference in outward appearance is the higher stance of the truck and the large fender flares. Other clues are the gas tank filler comes out the panel below the rear doors instead of being just behind the driver's door as it is on 2wd. The reason for the gas filler move was the gas tank had to move behind the rear axle to make room for the transfercase. The V badge on the hood denotes a V8 powered truck, and no badge represents a flat head six. This truck has the wrong hood ornament. The fog lights and mirrors are also not original. The steps should be black, not beige.
  1958 2wd Town Wagon (D100):
L Series
In 1958 Dodge radically changed the front appearance of the trucks. The fenders, core support, hood, and doors all changed. The doors now had an extra bodyline bulge that matched the front fender bulge and instead of fitting into a lip as in 1957 the door was flush. The hood now had individual DODGE letters on it and stainless steal trim pieces over louvers at the rear of the hood. The 100 badge was mounted within that trim piece. The fenders had a Dodge badge mounted on them and an 8 or 6 depending on which engine came with the truck. The grill had 3 horizontal bars. Early 1958 trucks were sometimes equipped with single headlights.
  1958 Power Wagon Town Wagon (W100):
L Series
The front fenders for the 4wd version are the same as those used on D400-D600 trucks with the lip extension, that accommodates for the step being farther down from the cab, shortened. As you can see this is one of the single headlight models. This truck has the optional chrome grill, chrome windshield surround, and chrome body line accent. The hood ornament is not original to this truck. Note that this truck has six lug wheels which is correct for both 1/2 and 3/4 ton 4wd trucks in 1958.
  1959 2wd Town wagon (D100):
M Series
The exterior appearance of the sheetmetal did not change much in 1959. The hood badge changed from individual letters to a single piece of stamped steel. The letters that spell DODGE are recessed and painted red. The grill changed to a one piece unit that has a crosshatched design. The side of the hood now had a stainless steel strip over the louvers instead of the larger plate seen in '58. The DODGE badge remained on the fenders but there was no longer an 8 or 6. The chrome trim on this truck was an option as were the bumper guards.
  1959 Power Wagon Town Wagon (W100):
M Series
In 1959 Dodge redesigned the dash and front cab floor of their trucks. This redesign got rid of the external steps and instead had stepwells just inside the doors. As you can see in this picture the 4wd model now has front fenders hanging below the cab creating a mud flap instead of being cut off as in 1958. The 4wd models in 1959 now had 8 lug wheels for the 1/2 ton models and continued to use 6 lug for the 3/4 ton. This truck has the optional bumper guards and auxiliary turn signals.
  1960 2wd Town Wagon (D100):
P Series
The exterior sheetmetal did not change in 1960 except for the removal of louvers in the hood. The hood badge did change from the stamped plate with recessed letters to a cast plate with raised letters. The DODGE badge on the side of the truck moved from the fender to the hood, where the louver used to be. The 100 badge can be found behind it. The grill changed to an aluminum piece with multiple horizontal slats and a medallion mounted in the middle. This truck has the optional chrome.
  1960 Power Wagon Town Wagon (W100):
P Series
Except for the above changes the 1960 4wd Town Wagon was unchanged from 1959 in appearance. This truck has incorrect rear view mirrors.
  1961 2wd Town Wagon (D100):
R Series
1961 was a year of big changes. The wheelbase of the TW/TPs was increased from 108 to 114, to accommodate this extra length the wheel well was moved forward in the front fenders. The main cab stayed the same as the 1960 cab except the gas tank was moved to the rear on all TW/TPs and the side filler hole was filled in. The sheetmetal was the same as that of the 1960 trucks , except for the front wheel wells. The main grill stayed the same but it lost is center medallion. This truck is an unknown year 1961-66, but as a '61 it should have clear marker lights. The rear view mirrors and rims are wrong on this truck.
  1961 Power Wagon Town Wagon (W100):
R Series

The 4wd models no longer had special front fenders, the front fenders were the same for all 1961 TW/TPs 2wd and 4wd. The frame was also changed in 1961, it was now wider and stronger. The steering box went from being integral with the steering column to being a separate piece All 4wd 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton Dodge trucks had 8 bolt rims in 1961. The front marker lights remained clear in 1961.

This truck has non-original rear view mirrors, antenna, rims, and rear windows. Also the headlight surrounds were not done in chrome like that. The front bumper is missing as well.

  1962 2wd Town Wagon (D100):
S Series
There were no major changes in 1962, the serial numbers make the year of manufacture clear, but there are few if any cosmetic clues.
  1962 Power Wagon Town Wagon (W100):
S Series

The winch equipped 1961 to 1965 and 1/2 4wd TW/TPs used the bumper you see here, the later trucks had a different bumper which is pictured in 1966. The non-winch 4wds and the 2wd TW/TPs used the same bumper from 1961-1966.

This is a factory photo from a sales brochure, it shows the marker lights as amber. But for this year truck they should be clear. If you look close you can see that the marker lights were retouched from clear to amber.

 

  1963 2wd Town Wagon (D100):
T Series

The big cosmetic change in 1963 is the use of amber marker lights instead of clear ones. I have heard some debate about when the amber lenses were used on all trucks, because some TW/TPs have been found to have clear lenses dated 1966. So there may be exceptions to the general rule that 1963 to 1966 TW/TPs had amber lenses not clear.

Despite the marker light change the sheetmetal was unchanged.

  1963 Power Wagon Town Wagon (W100):
T Series
This truck is correct except for the aftermarket rear view mirrors. Another thing that changed over time in 1961-1966 TW/TPs was the fabric used on the seats. Most trucks has a similar fabric, a gray and black two tone. But some had other color schemes.
  1964 2wd Town Wagon (D100):
V Series
The hubcaps, rear view mirrors, and chrome headlight surrounds on this truck are not original. I also believe that is not an original color, but otherwise this is a nice example of a 2wd TW.
  1964 Power Wagon Town Wagon (W100):
V Series
This truck has a factory two tone paint job. Note that the roof and window area is white, and the rest of the body is gray 1964 was the first year for the NP 435 4 speed transmission to be used in the TW/TP. Up until then the only option had been The NP 420 4 speed, the 3 speed on the column, and the push button automatic.
  1965 2wd Town Wagon (D100):
A Series

This truck is missing some hood letters and the 100 badges from the hood. Also the rim and tire combination was not available from the factory.

This is a nice example of a TW with it's fresh air vent up.

  1965 Power Wagon Town Wagon (W100):
A Series

In 1965 Dodge started to place the parking brake on the rear axle instead of on the back of the transfercase (4wd) or transmission (2wd), this practice may not have been fully implemented since people have told me that some '65 trucks have the parking brake still on the transfercase or transmission.

The rear view mirrors and the antenna are not original to this truck. Neither is the hood ornament or the rims. I also believe that this color scheme was not a factory option.

  1966 2wd Town Wagon (D100):
B Series

This is the final year of Town Wagon, as you can see there is little difference from the 1961 model. One clue to 1966 models is there was often a Pentastar badge on the passenger side front fender. I have never seen this badge on any other year of TW/TP, though it is seen on many Chrysler cars of The same era.

The rear view mirrors and the rims on this truck are not original.

  1966 Power Wagon Town Wagon (W100):
B Series
Brown 1966 W100 Town Wagon, with Winch This is the final year of Power Wagon Town Wagon, note that the winch bumper on this truck has holes in it unlike the '62 TW. That is because in 1965 1/2 Dodge put holes in the Medium/Heavy duty truck bumper that is used for the winch trucks so that it was easier for people to get up to the engine compartment and work on the engine. Those holes are steps! This TW also has the side mounted turn signals, these were an option
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