EXHIBIT 24.5



STATE OF ARKANSAS   }
COUNTY OF BENTON    }


                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     Know all men by these presents, that I, NAN R. SMITH, a Director of
AMERICA'S CAR-MART, INC., a Texas corporation, do constitute and appoint TILMAN
J. FALGOUT, III and MARK D. SLUSSER my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with
full power of substitution, for me in any and all capacities, to sign, pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for AMERICA'S CAR-MART, INC. for the fiscal year ended April
30, 2003 and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., together with all exhibits
thereto and other documents in connection therewith, and to sign on my behalf
and in my stead, in any and all capacities, any amendments to said Annual
Report, incorporating such changes as said attorneys-in-fact deem appropriate,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact, or their
substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of
July, 2003.



                                             /s/ Nan R. Smith
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             NAN R. SMITH




                                 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

     Before me this 18th day of July, 2003, came NAN R. SMITH, personally known
to me, who in my presence did sign and seal the above and foregoing Power of
Attorney and acknowledged the same as her true act and deed.



                                             /s/ Debra L. Pierce
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             NOTARY PUBLIC