|
|
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.
|
|
|
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 |
 |
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 |