The automotive world was very different in the late 1970s. Emission regulations reduced many performance models to shadows of their former selves, leaving enthusiasts to long for the good old days. However, by exploiting a loophole in regulations, Dodge created the Li’l Red Express. This 1979 example is a stunning example of the breed, which is unsurprising since it has a genuine 5,600 miles on its odometer. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the performance Pickup listed here on Low Miles No Miles in Clarence, Iowa. The seller set their price at $69,900 for this classic.
Dodge introduced the Li’l Red Express in 1978, with 2,188 buyers clamoring to take one home. Such was the demand that the company released a second batch in 1979, selling an impressive 5,118 examples. It is easy to see why the Epress was such a success. Automotive life was pretty dull and tedious in the late 1970s, but Dodge boldly strode in with a Pickup featuring dazzling Red paint, timber highlights, and sparkling wheels. However, many believe that the dual chrome exhaust stacks were the vehicle’s defining feature. These classics owed nothing to subtlety and would turn heads wherever they went. Finding fault with this Express is seemingly impossible. The Bright Canyon Red paint shines like glass, the panels are straight, and the timber exhibits no appreciable deterioration. There are no rust issues to mar the ownership experience, and the wheels and exhaust stacks appear to be in perfect condition.
The muscle car era was little more than a memory by 1979, and the mighty had fallen with a resounding thud. The best that Ford could muster from a Mustang was 140hp, while the Camaro Z28 delivered 175hp. By exploiting a loophole in the regulations, Dodge fitted its 360ci V8 with a camshaft with the same grind as used in the 1968 340ci powerplant. They added an 850cfm ThermoQuad four-barrel carburetor atop a factory spread-bore high-rise intake, and the 360 placed 225hp at the driver’s disposal. The remaining mechanical components were standard across all vehicles, including a heavy-duty three-speed Torqueflite transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The Li’l Red Express wasn’t a lightweight, but with contemporary road tests consistently delivering ¼-mile ETs in the mid-to-high 15-second bracket, it wasn’t slow by the standards of the time. The seller confirms that this Dodge is numbers-matching. They don’t mention evidence verifying the mileage claim, although this one-owner classic appears to be well-documented. Its mechanical health is also a mystery, but I wouldn’t expect anything less than perfection from an Express within this price range.
The interior of the Li’l Red Express isn’t lavishly equipped by modern standards. This Pickup features vinyl trim, air conditioning, a four-spoke wheel, and an AM/FM stereo radio. However, this vehicle’s interior presents itself impressively, with no evidence of wear or abuse. The upholstered surfaces are spotless, as is the carpet. There are no signs of UV deterioration, and no cracked plastic.
I wouldn’t describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but it is rare to find a 1979 Dodge Li’l Red Express with such a low odometer reading. The company produced 5,118 of these classics during that model year, and most were driven as their creators intended. Therefore, those that appear on the market are often rough around the edges. This Express is a genuine survivor, although it begs the question of whether the seller’s price is justified. Interestingly, Hagerty and NADA offer varying opinions, with the former indicating that the figure is well beyond a #1 example, and the latter saying it is realistic. Examining recent successful sales confirms that the price is beyond the market average, but it isn’t unprecedented for a ’79 model with a four-figure odometer reading. Do you think that it will find a new home, or will the seller need to compromise?
Wow!!! I remember hearing/reading that The Little Red Express was the fastest production vehicles made in ’78 and ’79. If AI is correct, in ’78 the Vette just barely outrun it to 60, but the Dodge pulled ahead to 100. And in ’79 it was the fastest. When I was a kid ( and now) I was ALWAYS drawn to the stacks, the lettering and the genuine wood trim as well. This one looks like a fantastic example. ( I’m sure some experts will chime in and point out I’m wrong lol)
I’m not an expert in these but my brief research says 0-60 was 7.0 – 7.5 seconds, which was positively blistering by the standards of the day, when it took a Z28 8.5 seconds. Even by today’s standards, that’s somewhat respectable, but not 70 grand respectable.
That’s why it’s best to enjoy cars. Someone would have had a lot of fun with this being one of the fastest cars on the road, had someone driven it.
I could see $70k if it had 5 miles, but not for these miles. GLWS.
Power, it had. Handle, it did not. Could the police have these engines in squad cars?
Actually police spec vehicles were warmed over a tad bit more.
I’ve always liked these, especially the 78 model with the round headlights. A friend had one around 78-79 and it met its end when he failed to negotiate a curve in the road and rolled it into a field. Fortunately he was not badly hurt. The example in this listing has a tonneau cover that I don’t believe was a factory option. I personally would like it better without the cover and all the drilled snaps.
I would agree with you, that the tonneau cover was probably not a factory option, and would look better without.
Price to me seems high but hey, it is what it is.
I was lucky to find an Autoworld 1 / 18 ” scale die-cast version of this truck.
A beautiful low mileage example no doubt.
I also heard that they did not come with cat converters on the exhaust. Clean truck here.
I would think the ’78 was faster than this, since the ’78 had no cat.
Love these descriptions of low milers on Barnfinds but there is almost never a backup story as to why they were never driven. Would be great to know and of course give more provenance to prove the claim.
I don’t know where this dealership finds its vehicles, maybe they are all on consignment. Their prices, however, make me wonder if they ever sell anything, or maybe they ask high and allow the buyer to make a “deal”.
I have liked these trucks since they were new. Yes I’m old enough to remember them being on the road I can’t bring myself to pay the current asking price for it in part because I don’t buy garage queens I I have a vehicle I drive it, even in climate controlled conditions its NOT good to just let it sit so you would still need to replace gaskets and hopefully the head gaskets stay intact
IT’S HAD A REPAINT…..the door strikers and the latch stick out along with tha left dash part….and whats up with that Garman thing where the tach usually is ?
I worked at a Dodge dealer ‘78-‘80, building Snap-On tool vans in the back of the shop. One day, the service manager(a family friend) came back and told me to follow him. A Little Red Express had just rolled off the trailer and he had to take it out for a test drive. Holy crap that was fun, even in the passenger seat !! He did the same a few weeks later when a
Warlock arrived. Great times.