1977 Dodge Power Wagon

Californian Custom pickup 4x4 stepside truck Standard Cab Pickup

400 big block v-8

Automatic

W13BJ7S078507

Clear

Gasoline

1977 Dodge W150 utiline powerwagon400 big block, auto, dealer installed a/c (missing underhood stuff), factory trans cooler, power steering, power brakes, am/fm cassette radio, sunroof (part of Californian custom package). Truck was 2 owner truck before i got it, and owner 2 was around it when original owner had it for the previous 25 years at least. Owner 2 is very confident that mileage is original at 64k. The truck was used as a hunting truck its entire life, and stayed at a hunting cabin in northern California its whole life. Owner 1 passed at age 84, and willed truck to owner 2, who I bought it from. Owner number one purchased the truck in the Bay Area in 1977. The Californian package came with fiberglass rear fenders, in-cab only special fuel tank, and custom paint. The truck had a repaint about 15-20 years ago. Original color is silver cloud with black bench interior. The truck does have rust in floors consistent with a rubber floor mat truck, but the rest of the truck is solid. Truck is located in central california near Fresno. Have clear signed off title from owner 2 ready for reassignment. Truck runs and drives and is registered currently, and could be daily driven...its not a new truck, it deserves a restoration back to its former glow. There is some info from machopowerwagon dot com  Post subject: The CALIFORNIANSPosted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 2:57 pm  Moderator Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:37 am Posts: 1312 Location: Truckin thru NEVADA It seems that the CALIFORNIANS, lost in the glittery, hairy, inflationary 70s drove down a dead-end street. These little Utilines, with their flashy wheels, vinyl bed covers, and wild paint schemes took a short, fast ride. A crazy joy ride stopped by a Federal road block sometime before the 1978 models got out. The old saying, "it seemed like a good idea at the time" couldn't have been more true back in 76. CALIFORNIANS came from a place and time that was cranked up for the Custom Van phenomena of the mid 70s. Dodge dealers in California's Bay Area couldn't get enough of the Vans with their wild paint jobs and Shag Carpet. Then came the trucks. A company in Sunnyvale, Ca. called California Stepside was making stepside conversion kits for mini trucks (Datsun, etc) and also produced enough other products for a catalogue if you sent them 1$. Somebody put the 2 together, first on Datsuns with some custom paint and a Custom Chrome step bumper by Safe T Bumper, and they were rolling. In fact, when the owner of Sunnyvale dodge saw how well the Custom jobs sold, he assigned his best body and paint guy to doing in house customs. Though most CALIFORNIANS were probably done by one of the Van Co.s such as Kozy Kar or Mobility Industries in Newark Ca. It didn't take long for other Northern California Dodge dealers to catch on. The CALIFORNIANS even impressed quite a few NEVADANS. A salesman for Don Weir's Reno Dodge recalls 7 or 8 of them rolling in and rolling right out. They would be hard to miss! Several Original owners, stated that it was love at first sight. The dealers capitalized on a great way to have a traffic stopper and big ticket sale. The customer got a full custom package with no waiting and could finance the whole deal. The estimated sticker bump was $2K to $4K. One original owner told me that he went all over Northern California, till he found one that was just right, (a 77 2wd Medium Tan Metallic with dark brown and gold hues fading in and out). CALIFORNIANS were only produced for 76 and 77. as 1/2 ton 2wd or 4wd utilines and came with the following: 1. Mag or Chrome wheels 2. Vinyl Bed covers 3. Chrome custom step bumpers 4. Body color tail light housings (black was stock) 5. Fiberglass rear fenders with recessed mopar marker lights and integrated chrome steps 6. INSANE paint jobs 7. Rainbow reflective Mylar CALIFORNIAN decals high on the front fenders. And, some came with Roll Bars, Grill Guards, and auxiliary lights. The unique fiberglass rear fenders turned out to be not so unique. General Motors saw a resemblance that was likely the downfall of the CALIFORNIAN. Actually, it looks like they used a Chebby rear stepside fender to make the molds. OOPS, no 1978s have been "discovered". If anyone reading this has more information about these Crazy looking trucks, please share it with the rest of us on this post. Till then, we know that in 77-78 Dodge had geared up to go full bore with a complete line of ADULT TOYS, and the ride was over for the CALIFORNIANS. We look forward to seeing YOUR CALIFORNIAN and reading your story right here! br>