1958 Dodge 700 Truck - Junkyard Crawl

The second year for Dodge's new "Forward Look" cab styling that featured a modern wraparound windshield and one-piece hood was 1958. The same basic cab was used on everything from light-duty D100 pickups (5,100 to 9,000 pounds GVW) to massive, heavy-duty NCT1000 high tonnage trucks (27,000 to 76,800 pounds GVW). This 700-series, single-axle truck is from the medium-duty rating group (15,000 to 50,000 pounds GVW).

The second year for Dodge's new "Forward Look" cab styling that featured a modern wraparou

As Hemi hysteria continues to spread from coast to coast, some of the iconic dome-head's more obscure applications are coming to light. While the new DCX Hemi engine is installed in just as many Ram trucks and SUVs as it is in Chargers, Magnums, and C300s, the previous generation of 426 Hemis were factory installed in nothing but high-performance passenger cars. But going back a generation to the first Hemi engine of '51-'58, it's a mostly forgotten fact that loads of Dodge trucks were Hemi-equipped in the mid- to late '50s. We stumbled onto this burly '58 Dodge 700 truck at Constantineau Auto and Metal Salvage (508/867-6071) in the wilds of East Brookfield, Massachusetts.

Groovy Factoids
*Dodge Power Giant trucks were produced between 1957 and 1960.

*While the new 350-413 big-block B and RB Wedge head V-8 family replaced the early Hemi in all passenger-car applications in 1959, the early Hemi enjoyed continued truck availability until the '60 model year.

Like when they find Chevy 400s in the junkyard today, old-school hot rodders get all misty-eyed at sights like this. It's a 354-cube "whale motor" that's rated at 180 hp thanks to lame Stromberg two-barrel induction. But there's a Top Fuel contender waiting to be released; just ask Don Garlits. We've also seen crazy dual inline two-barrel induction setups on stone stock Dodge Hemi trucks. Truck mills like this are a notch better than pass-car stuff thanks to closer scrutiny of tolerances, hand-selected reciprocating parts, and adjustable rocker arms. Of course, they live a harder life, but they are generally rebuildable if they've been properly maintained and serviced. That's a big if. . . .
Like when they find Chevy 400s in the junkyard today, old-school hot rodders get all misty
We're surprised the original Power Giant 354 rocker cover sticker is still intact on this rust-belt relic. While their nearly 800-pound mass limits practicality, early Hemis are still in favor with nostalgia freaks the world over.
We're surprised the original Power Giant 354 rocker cover sticker is still intact on this