PHOTOS: 1955 Dodge Power Wagon with Tel-E-Lect digger derrick started it all for Terex Utilities

Updated Oct 3, 2015
Terex Power Wagon ICUEE 6

With Terex celebrating the 70th anniversary of its digger derricks and utilities business, the heavy equipment manufacturer decided to bring along a throwback with all of the new equipment being shown at this year’s International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition.

Near the edge of the L lot of the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Terex has parked a 1955 Dodge T137 Power Wagon complete with the Tel-E-Lect digger derrick that started it all for Terex Utilities.

The T137 seen here has a 6 cylinder engine pushing a now-paltry 99 horsepower.

The Tel-E-Lect, coined for the Telephone and Electric utility installations the attachment was designed for, was launched in 1945 and found a perfect companion in the Power Wagon, a beast of a truck originally intended for military use.

A photo of the Power Wagon/Tel-E-Lect combo in use back in the 1950s. Excuse the raindrops.A photo of the Power Wagon/Tel-E-Lect combo in use back in the 1950s. Excuse the raindrops.