Only 1480 of a planned 1,500 Dodge Shelby Dakotas were produced for the 1989 model year–the only year of production of this sporty pickup. Of those 1480, only 480 were bright white. So you’re looking at a pretty rare truck! This one is Shelby number 746, and it appears to be in pretty nice shape. Let’s look closer at this one-year-only model.
The Shelbys were the only way to get a “factory” V-8 in the first-generation Dakota. The special trucks also were equipped with other performance parts, including a limited-slip 3.90:1 differential, gas-charged rear shock absorbers, and rear anti-lock brakes. There were a lot of special cosmetic features including a fancy steering wheel, special upholstery, striping, fender extensions, an air dam, and a light bar.
The “mid-sized” Shelby truck also featured special Shelby-manufactured 5-spoke wheels, which have been replaced on the featured truck with 15-inch Vision Legend Series wheels wrapped in 225/70 Cooper Cobra Radial G/T rubber (the details come from a previous listing of this truck back in 2022).
While the original graphics look quite faded, a comprehensive new decal kit is available here for only $745. Seems like a bargain to me! The previous ad listing mentions some touched-up spots in the paint, so you might want to take a detailed look before plunking down some cash.
The interior looks pretty darned 80s, doesn’t it? I owned a Dodge Shelby Charger in my youth and I well-recall being wowed by the interior touches. Trivia time: Shelby had some extra custom steering wheels left over from a previous project, so they were used on the early Shelby Dakotas. Later trucks had a different steering wheel. This one appears to be the same version as depicted in the Dodge brochure, so I’m going to assume this is the early one. I suppose the interior should look good as we’re told the truck has covered only 17,000 miles. When it was listed for sale in 2022, it showed 16,341 miles, so it hasn’t traveled far under current ownership.
The Shelby engineers managed to fit a 318-cubic-inch V-8 in the compartment that usually held an inline-4 or V-6. They did so by switching to electric fans (which also saved five horsepower) and changing the radiator. The result was 175 SAE net horsepower and 270 lbs-ft of torque, which were able to propel the truck to a 0-60 time of 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph.
Our thanks to the seller for providing an under-truck photo. While it’s obviously been in the northern states for a while, the surface corrosion doesn’t look too bad. If you want to buy what must be the least expensive type of V-8, rear-wheel-drive Shelby, check out the ad here on Facebook Marketplace in Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin and be prepared to spend about $20,000. Special thanks to reader Lothar for sending this cool truck to us!
Glad to see a writeup from Jamie! Nice looking rig too.
💯 Todd. .. good write up, love the ad included. 3.90 ⚙️ anti-spin Rear end. 🙌
Thanks, Todd! It’s nice to be back!
Hey, hey, a Wisconsin truck( oh no), from Fonjulak[sic], home of Mercury Marine. Yeah, we have BS’ers in the Badger too, and no way 17K. I know I ruffled some feathers on the GLHS post. Make no mistake, I honor Mr. Shelby for most of his accomplishments, but if the GLHS was the lowest blow, this was the 2nd lowest. Not to take anything from either, Dakota a great truck, Shelby, a respected name, but like I said on the GLHS post, Mr. Shelby knew, at the time, his axle twisting monsters were waning, and he had to do something. Again, him and Iacocca were in cahoots, to the extent we’ll never know, but he needed something, Chrysler needed to sell cars. Those heart transplants aren’t cheap, you know, and the longest recorded survivor, BTW, even though I had a 2nd cousin had a heart transplant in the 60s, and just recently died. Didn’t have the glitz Mr. Shelby had, I suppose. I think a clean Dakota could be worth $20gs, the Shelby moniker does nothing for me.
I will say that these Shelby mopars have aged well. Anyone poo pooing them hasn’t been taking the market’s temperature for a while, as they have been quietly increasing in price and desirability. One of these runs around my town and it always draws my eye. If I were going to buy a first gen Dakota it would be the convertible, but one of these is a close second.
I’ve got to disagree on the Dakota. I’ll start by saying that I’m a dyed in the wool Ford guy and would only consider a Toyota as an alternative as both brands have serves me well over the years. I can recall looking at the Dakota when I was in the market for a small pickup back in the late 80’s. I compared them extensively to the Ranger and the Toyota. I went on to purchase 2 Rangers over the next few years. Dodge just could not compete with the competition in fit and finish or pricing. Having said all that, if a Dakota floats your boat, this one’s pretty clean and rare.
I bought a 1994 Dakota Sport new…drove it until 2009. Repaired some minor rust and replaced the fan clutch on the V6… a pita job. The truck served me well for just over 180k miles…just routine maintenance…I now have a 2023 Ridgeline RTL E…the ride and handling puts all the other midsize trucks to shame. …I drove the all many times…over and over before this…if they had still made the Dakota I would own one
Me also – 1994 318 extende cab…..after hauling lots by tandem trailer and tow bar I rebuilt the trannie at 225,000 miles. Just did the old 318 at 265,000 and my Sport is holding up fine.
Looked at these in 1981 when they first came out as wellas the Shelbys in 1989 and 1997…..but didn’t pull the trigger on the Shelby’s. Paid off my first house in 1985 and my farm in 1995….sometimes you have to wait.
Think this will be a no sale again – just not that many early Dakota lover’s out there.
These are cool from a purely late eighties POV. The malaise era had its way with the auto makers and performance was largely what you could find in the parts bin with a little gingerbread tacked on. This was also when sub-10-second 0-60 was an accomplishment. These Dakotas would get better without Shelby as port FI appeared and better suspension on the Gen 2s. Neat little find for someone wanting a unique truck from yesteryear.
I would drive it but I don’t think it’s worth $20k … maybe $8k , ok ok it’s got the Shelby name and stickers but to me it’s a truck and I would use it like the little trucks were meant to be used.