Welcome to Powell Sport Wagon Registry
MISCELLANEOUS
History and Family
Brad Powell, a talented musician, offers a tender view of the family on his website; a link can be found in this section. Chuck Elderton has had brief contact with several family members; all have been supportive of the Registry.
The Powell family gathered at the LeMay Family Collection in 2010 to join in the LeMay’s celebration of the Powell Sport Wagon. Seated is Mrs. Dorothy Powell, wife of Hayward.
This photo of Channing Powell, his wife, and sister-in-law Mrs. Hayward Powell, was contributed by Jim Benjaminson. According to Brad Powell's web site, his mother, Mrs. Hayward Powell, is doing well. Note the Powell "Camp Car" in the background, which is believed to still be in the Powell family.
Channing Powell, who passed away in the 1980s, was interviewed by Jim Benjaminson. Channing, who survived his brother Hayward by several years, was a private man and Jim says that he was uncomfortable talking about the fortune of his company. An article about the brothers as radio manufacturers provides additional insight into the ambitious and enterprising Powell Brothers.
Powell began manufacturing their radios in 1928 and moved on to the manufacture of motor scooters shortly thereafter. The pickup trucks and station wagons (both labeled Sportwagon), which are the focus of the Registry, began production in late 1954 as 1955 models. Most production took place in 1956, ending with very few 1957 models being built. Our Survivors page lists just over 100 known vehicles; about thirty are 1955s and three 1957s; the remainder were built as 1956s. Our best estimate is that 1,020 pickups and 300 station wagons were produced, along with tens of thousands of scooters, three motor homes (Camp Cars), and at least one pickup slide-in camper. The Sportwagon was also offered with a camper. Powell Brothers manufactured mini bikes from the mid 1960s through about 1971.
Many theories have been bandied about relating to the ups and downs of Powell manufacturing. Reason for halting Sportwagon manufacture has been variously given as: running out of raw materials (usable '41 Plymouth chassis); Hayward's failing health; and tax trouble. The truth is likely part of all plus a good helping of being a small-volume manufacturer in a rapidly evolving market. Vince Powell's records show that, as a dealer, his father did not fair well selling the six Sportwagons that he purchased from the factory. Retailers throughout the Powell enterprise likely had similar experiences selling against the likes of RCA, Cushman and Chevrolet.
ABOUT... http://bradpowell.com/
The story of The Candlelight Guitarist™ is a mix of family, faith, music and mission. Bradley Powell was born in 1955, the third child of Hayward and Dorothy Powell. Brad's father and uncle--Hayward and Channing Powell--were inventors/entrepreneurs, operating a business that created and manufactured (over a period of decades) Powell Radios, Powell Scooters, and the Powell Sportwagon--a "car-truck" hybrid that preceded the Ford Ranchero and Chevy El Camino by two years. They really thought "outside the box" and were a major influence in Brad's creative outlook ...always thinking, "Is there another way to look at this?" Brad's mother Dorothy also had artistic skills that later blossomed...now, at age 83, she is a prolific painter and active in her community.
It was, more or less, a typical family...one where love, optimism, creativity and music all played a significant part. Brad's older sister Linda, and older brother Alan, both took piano lessons. Brad played clarinet in the fourth grade, but after a year decided guitar was for him.
Inspired by the Beatles, Brad began guitar lessons at age ten. The following year he was awarded first place at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival for a guitar solo. Brad also served as an acolyte (AKA "candlelighter" ) at the local Methodist Church, played guitar in a garage rock 'n roll band, and his enthusiasm for music grew.
At age 15, Brad was fortunate to become a protégé of the legendary jazz guitarist Joe Pass, a major influence in Brad's life and music. Brad later studied classical guitar from Vincenzo Macaluso, and at California State University, Northridge, where he took master classes under Dr. Ronald C. Purcell, with one master class taught by the maestro Andrés Segovia.
Brad was twice featured at the Hollywood Bowl: once performing Gerald Wilson's "Sonata for Guitar and Orchestra" with the composer conducting, and also under the baton of Richard Carpenter, in a performance of a suite of Carpenters' hits.
Brad studied composition under the guidance of David Rose ("Little House On The Prairie"), and later composed music for popular television shows, including Hill Street Blues (working with composer Mike Post). Brad's jazz guitar concerto Passalaqua Suite, was featured on several radio stations across the United States.
R.S. Murthi wrote about Brad's First Step In A Long Journey CD in THE NEW STRAITS TIMES (Malaysia):
"He's a deft composer with a knack for intricate scoring...the horns are richly orchestral and the rhythms have a natural flow and swing, and Powell has assembled a team of top-notch players...to realize his stylistically diverse conceptions."
Brad performs regularly in Southern California (when not hiking with his dogs Timber and Rocky).
Brad considers his "musical mission" to compose, perform and record music that lifts up people, helping to make their day a little bit better. That's what The Candlelight Guitarist™ is about...lighting a musical candle!