Around 2001, my dad spotted this truck sitting for sale on the roadside. After driving by several times, he stopped and was able to purchase this truck for $400.00. He purchased it to use for an “old beater” and something to tinker around on. The truck had been camouflaged with rattle can spray paint and was just rough in general. With little to no experience in painting or bodywork he decided he wanted to get rid of the camouflage paint and go with a darker midnight blue color. Since it was going to be an “old beater”, he decided to do the work. This is where life for the truck became interesting for us. Not knowing what lied beneath all of the rattle can camouflage paint, he began to sand and strip away paint. He began to see these school bus yellow and black stripes surfacing through layers of paint. Not knowing what the truck was, we began to look up and research to see what he had uncovered. Lo and behold he had purchased a Dodge “Macho” Power Wagon. Still doing the work himself, he then decided to go back with the original “Macho” color scheme and stripe kit. Dad completed the truck and drove around some but in time the truck began to have mechanical issues and begin to sit around.
Now, fast forward to 2020, when we decided to bring the Dodge back to its original glory. With the help from several friends, we took this truck and went through everything mechanically and replaced everything to get it running like it did back in 1977 with its original engine and transmission. Also, the exterior was completed the exact same way, we went down to the frame with every screw, bolt and nut being replace with new and the original paint scheme being placed back on with those iconic stripes. We finished this project in August 2023 and we have been taking this truck to shows and cruise ins since. We have had a blast with this truck and it has been the most rewarding and enjoyable experience rebuilding Pappy’s Macho.