A custom-built 1953 Dodge Power Wagon restmod is set to be auctioned for as much as $450,000. This unique vehicle will be presented at the Mecum Auction on May 17. It features a highly customized build as original crew cab configurations were not produced by Dodge in the 1950s.

The vehicle showcases a modern Cummins 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. In contrast, the original model came equipped with a Flathead inline-six engine and a four-speed non-synchronized manual gearbox. Other notable upgrades include four-wheel disc brakes, Bilstein shocks, and a four-wheel drive system with Warn axle hubs.

 

This Dodge Power Wagon also boasts remarkable interior and exterior enhancements. Inside, it features black leather bucket seats in the front and a leather bench in the back beneath a fabric sliding roof. The dashboard maintains its original style but includes retro-modern gauges and a touchscreen infotainment system. Additionally, the flooring is laid with black carpeting, and air conditioning is installed.

Externally, the truck is painted red with black fenders and running boards. It also includes an updated wood flooring in the bed and a black bumper fitted with a 16,500-pound Warn winch. Tires are robust 39-inch BFGoodrich that complement its overall rugged look.

 

Since its restoration, this Power Wagon has logged just one mile, indicating it's in pristine condition both inside and out. Its uniqueness comes from being an inventively customized version of what originally was never manufactured by Dodge — making it not just another vintage vehicle but truly one of its kind.

This auction listing definitely spots light on how vintage vehicles can undergo extensive modifications while maintaining their core historical worth — combining nostalgia with cutting-edge technology and modern convenience for car enthusiasts looking for something uniquely exquisite to add to their collection.