POWER WAGON - New from My Dodge Dealer
1947 WDX with 17 Actual Miles
If you are nice to all the folks at your favorite DODGE dealership, they will help you find some great trucks. Here's a 1947 WDX my local Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep dealer was able to get for me directly from Dodge. They located it through their computer that lists the inventories of all the Dodge Dealers in the USA. When it finally arrived, I used my 2001 Cummins Powered Dodge to haul this absolutely new POWER WAGON 17 miles to my house. I couldn't wait to get some pictures to share.
Of course it's a model. The camera does not lie.
These were available exclusively by special order from your local Dodge dealer parts department. This POWER WAGON Model was planned as a one-time, limited-production run to be produced only if adequate numbers were ordered. The dealer had to have the orders in by December 28, 2001.
Now its production run has been completed. All the Dodge-authorized POWER WAGON Models made by First Gear have been distributed to the Dodge dealers who ordered them. A limited number were produced and Dodge dealers cannot order any more.This one is sold only through Dodge dealers. It has the correct factory color scheme. Either you have a "genuine" Dodge POWER WAGON model or you don't. You can buy one from a dealer who still has some in their Parts Department inventory. It is still possible that your local Dodge dealer's Parts Department can locate a dealer that has one in their inventory. Check with the Parts Department of your nearest listed Dodge dealer. Any Dodge dealer can order a Model from any Dodge dealer who has one. The dealer with the Models sets the price. You will probably have to pay shipping and handling.
The other option is to buy one from an individual who bought some with the intention of reselling them to collectors. I'm sure there will be several Dodge-authorized POWER WAGON Models on e.bay before long.
First Gear POWER WAGON Models are in 1:30 scale. Being a MOPAR authorized model should add to this one's appeal.
The MOPAR Part Number is A13311126N
*****************************************************************
Other Available POWER WAGON Models
Comparing Scale from the top:
1. Matchbox/Motor Trend "Large Scale"- approx. length 8.75 in.
2. Danbury Mint 1:24 scale - approx. length 8.75 in.
3. Hasbro/Tonka/First Gear 1:30 scale - approx. length 7 in.
4. Matchbox 1:43 scale - approx. length 5 in.
Nowhere on the Matchbox/Motor Trend "Large Scale" WDX or its box is there any information claiming it to be 1:18 scale. My Matchbox/Motor Trend WDX is the same size as my 1:24 Danbury Mint WDX. That makes me think they are both 1:24 scale.
First Gear Models Marketed by John Colwell
Texaco WDX Diamond Shamrock Texas Future Farmers of America
For more information, contact John at Jepcolwell@aol.com or go to the Photo Classifieds on Joe Cimoch's DODGE POWER WAGON PAGE http://www.dodgepowerwagon.com/classifieds/classifieds.html
Collecting POWER WAGON Models
The models shown on this page are typical of the many POWER WAGON models that are available. Models generally fall into two groups. The first group is those models that generally represent authentic POWER WAGON uses. They are produced with colors that were actually available. Their trim and other features represents actual users, or commemorates companies and organizations that may actually have used POWER WAGONs. The Dodge licensed version may well represent the POWER WAGONs used by hundreds of MOPAR dealerships in the 1940's and on into the 1970's. The Colwell trucks represent several branches of the Colwell Oil Companies in Waxahachie, Texas. Others like the "Tonka" POWER WAGON may be a special edition linked to holiday or event.
The second group contains the ones that have nothing associated with them as far as markings or merchandizing. Often, they are not made to any standard scale and have some parts that do not have the correct proportions. Some have improbable paint schemes with colors that were never available on any POWER WAGON. And there are still others that are inappropriately associated with something that would never have had any connection with a POWER WAGON. Someone will probably bring out a POWER WAGON model painted to commemorate the "2002 Thunderbird" - or something equally improbable. If you collect POWER WAGON models, you should be aware that these improbable themes may adversely affect the model's long term value. These are toys or "generic" models but are not collectibles. They often sell for as little as $9.95.
Most of the POWER WAGON models in the first group have "collectability" which increases their initial price and ultimate value. Many of them are produced by First Gear for various customers who specify the paint colors and the graphics and SET THE PRICE. As I understand it, the basic models are all the same. First Gear POWER WAGON Models are in 1:30 scale. This suggests the price to the customer will not vary a lot, so the selling price is whatever the customer feels it will bring. Another pricing factor generally determined by the customer is the number of any version that will be produced. These models built to specifications usually have a limited number produced - another factor that affects their collector value. This is the way the new "collectibles" are marketed. Collector dealers buy for future resale in anticipation of increasing prices for these - and most other collectibles.
There was a lot of interest in the "Tonka" POWER WAGON model. This was just another First Gear model - except that it was sold only by "Tonka" and finished out to their specifications. The same goes for the Dodge licensed POWER WAGON models. They are sold only through Dodge dealers. They have the correct factory color scheme. Either you have a "genuine" Dodge POWER WAGON model or you don't. When this production run is sold out, you won't be able to get another one.
The wide range of prices is based on the collectability of the models. It is mostly the particular version of the model that you are paying for. You must decide how much you want that particular version - and how much it might be worth sometime in the future. The Tonka Christmas version may become valuable mainly because it was marketed with the Tonka name.
This is certainly the case with the MOPAR DODGE POWER WAGON. The initial selling price is high at around $55 dollars for a model that may sell for half that with different paint. This is a fair amount more than the larger scale Matchbox, Motor Trend POWER WAGON models in Coca-Cola or standard green. One difference is the Matchbox Motor Trend models were sold at Wal Mart, Target, and Toys 'r Us. Keeping the distribution limited can add to the price.
This is no different from the real POWER WAGON world where many speculators who have never driven a POWER WAGON up a steep hill or gotten towed out of deep mud are suddenly selling them at inflated prices.