FUND THE POWELL - A STORY STRAIGHT OUT OF COMPTON

HELP THE PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM RESTORE LOS ANGELES HISTORY! THE LAST POWELL TRUCK EVER PRODUCED!

 

Powell Motor Company, out of Compton, California produced motor scooters from 1939 to 1952. The brothers Hayward and Channing Powell re-entered the personal transportation market in September 1954 with pickup trucks and station wagons.

 

The brothers based their vehicles on refurbished and modified prewar Plymouth and Dodge chassis acquired from junkyards. Approximately 1,200 pickup trucks and 300 station wagons were sold by the time production halted in March 1957 after which they returned to producing two-wheel off-road vehicles exclusively. Plymouth, Dodge, or Chrysler engines (including industrial units) were employed depending upon availability. Inexpensively engineered and manufactured, it was equipped with sliding side windows for ventilation and the only options available were hubcaps, turn signals, and a pop-top camper.

 

Appealing to buyers on a budget, the steel-bodied Powell was formed with sheet metal that was shaped with basic metal-bending equipment instead of expensive dies, which gave it an unusually boxy appearance, but kept prices low.

 

Unusual for the time, Powell incorporated the pickup box into the body of the truck rather than attaching the cab and box assemblies to the chassis separately. Powell pickup trucks were available with long, drawer-like storage receptacles mounted between the inner and outer body of the bed that offered an ingenious solution to the challenges of transporting objects such as fishing equipment, conduit, and other long, narrow items. The storage compartments were accessed by pull handles attached to round covers located in the spaces normally reserved for tail lights.

 

Why should you donate?

The Petersen's Powell truck is the second of only two 1957 Powells' built, making it the last vehicle produced by the manufacturer. The truck needs a full restoration. Including frame refurbishment, bodywork, paint, interior work and fabrication, engine and transmission work and a full electrical overall.

All donations will go to the preservation and presentation of the Powell Truck. Once restored, the Petersen's Powell will go on display in the Petersen Museum located in Los Angeles, California.


What is the Petersen Automotive Museum?

Rated the #1 Automotive museum in the world, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the exploration and presentation of the automobile and its impact on Global life and culture. The museum features 25 galleries with more than 350 vehicles on display between the main floors and exclusive Vault. Visitors can immerse themselves in the 1000's of stories on display in the museum.