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| The CALIFORNIANS http://www.machopowerwagon.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=180 |
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| Author: | LAST440 [ Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | The CALIFORNIANS |
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! |
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| Author: | LAST440 [ Sat Dec 27, 2008 1:58 am ] | ||
| Post subject: | Re: The CALIFORNIANS | ||
This is a 76 CALIFORNIAN POWER WAGON with a 360 and 4 spd. back in the day. It was totalled a short time after this picture was taken. The owner used the insurance $ to buy a Metallic Black 77 CALIFORNIAN POWER WAGON with a 400 auto, Air, Cruise, and a factory Skylight.
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| Author: | LAST440 [ Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:58 am ] | ||
| Post subject: | Re: The CALIFORNIANS | ||
Here's the Metallic Black 77 CALIFORNIAN 400 auto, AC, Cruise, Skylight, Adventurer. (Waiting for Restoration)
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| Author: | LAST440 [ Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:07 pm ] | ||
| Post subject: | Re: The CALIFORNIANS | ||
My 77 Power Wagon Californian 440 back in the day. Wearing it's original custom paint. Metallic Rasberry over medium tan metallic with air brushed accents. I am about the 5th owner and when I got the truck it was wearing it's third paint job in Kelly Green (yuk). I was able to find the second owner who still had a a photo of it in it's original form! 
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| Author: | palomino [ Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The CALIFORNIANS |
nice.... so what does the tan metalic truck look like today? |
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| Author: | LAST440 [ Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:30 pm ] | ||
| Post subject: | Re: The CALIFORNIANS | ||
I REALLY need to finish that truck. Cant Find my picture. Did have this one though. 77 2wd Med Tan 360 auto From Sacramento, Ca
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| Author: | palomino [ Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The CALIFORNIANS |
I think one of those would look sooooo coool with chrome side pipes..... |
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| Author: | LAST440 [ Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:34 pm ] | |||
| Post subject: | Re: The CALIFORNIANS | |||
A white 76 sits waiting for a new owner.
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| Author: | palomino [ Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The CALIFORNIANS |
there was a white one similar to that one somewhere south of reno in a small town, also a white 76 with green interior |
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| Author: | LAST440 [ Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The CALIFORNIANS |
Still out there lookin' for LOVE  http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ct ... 76454.html |
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