We’ve seen a few of these little rebadged Mitsubishi pickups before here on Barn Finds. I’m partial to these little gems that were sold under the Dodge and Plymouth name in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This 1980 Dodge D-50 looks like another gem, but asking prices are going way up as the seller wants $12,500 or a reasonable offer for this one listed here on craigslist. It’s located in beautiful, warm, very-appealling-right-now Tucson, Arizona, and here is the original listing.
As happens with the majority of craigslist ads, the photos aren’t the best. Most of them are cut-off or detailed photos. I sure hope that changes in 2025 but I have my doubts, I’ve been saying that for almost nine years now. This is a base model D-50 as opposed to the D-50 Sport. I nabbed a nice original D-50 Sport back in the spring of 2017 after finding it on a craigslist ad about two hours from our house. It was only $2,000 so it was a no-brainer. I still have it and it’s still a gem. I wrote it up here on Barn Finds back then, and some of you may remember it. I usually mention it every time a D-50 comes up as I love that little orange truck.
Or, some photos are blurry. I get it, most people don’t make a living in photography and a good general description and some photos are usually enough to entice local buyers to sneak over and take a peek at a vehicle from a craigslist ad. If I didn’t have mine and I lived in Tucson, which I should, I would be heading over to see this one. Although, that’s a heck of an asking price for a non-sport model.
Dodge and Plymouth rebadged a version of the Mitsubishi Triton pickup during a period from 1979 until 1994, or at least Dodge did. Plymouth offered the Arrow pickup very similar to this first-gen D-50 from 1979 through 1982, which is when this particular body style was available. Dodge called these trucks the D50, or D-50, in 1979 and 1980 and then they were the Ram 50. I prefer the early single headlight trucks like this one over the ones with two on each side that came after this, but pool or pond, anything would be good. (another Caddyshack misquote) There are a few little cosmetic issues inside, such as the usual cracks on the leading edge of the driver’s seat, and the usual crack in the upper left side of the padded dash. Otherwise, it looks good, and the previous owner fitted a carpeted “bed” in the back that the seller uses while camping. The AC system was rebuilt and blows cold, by the way.
The engine is a Mitsubishi’s 2.0-liter OHC inline-four with 95 horsepower. The Sport model received a 2.6-liter with 105 hp. This one sends power through an automatic transmission to the rear wheels and it has a nice new radiator, a typical Weber carb conversion, and it runs like a champ. If given the choice, would any of you buy a small pickup like this, or do you need four doors and lots of luxury in your truck?
This is really cool. Here in Michigan, I never got to experience ’70s and early ’80s Japanese pickups because they were all gone by the time I knew that they ever were! So now I’m nostalgic for something I never experienced, but how could you not be when it’s often painted orange with multi-colored stripes?
Super obvious that someone’s grandpa passed away. You can tell he really liked his little truck and took care of it.
You don’t see these V8 swapped like you do S10s and Rangers. That would be interesting to see. But I like it as is too. I’d rather have this than any modern 4 dr. Both my trucks are older single cab long beds. Like a truck should be.
Cool asking $12,500 for a maybe $5,000 dollar truck, kinda have to check it out in person and take them at their word that the odometer hasn’t rolled once. The dry climate Will explain the cracks in the dash and seats.
The D-50. I bought a used one in 1989 for $1900. It was a good truck. This one with an automatic, and that price, is a pass for me. But maybe someone can have some use out of it without tiring out their left leg. I guess it’s time for me to realize those old days are no mas.
We used these at our utility company in early 1980. With tool bins and ladder racks. Converted to run on natural gas. In L.A. some of the streets were very steep. The only way we could get up these hills to service gas lines was to back up in reverse! These trucks were already dogs but running on natural gas they were really junk. The Company used them for a number of years and then went to Toyotas.
I have one of these here in Oxford Michigan. It is loaded with AC, auto trans, PB, PS and stripes along the sides. It gets around 25 mpg. Very handy for a Home Depot run. Mine is a 1991.
Pretty clean little truck but 12K obo. for a twd, even if it was a 4×4, a little anxious.The 2.0 was a more reliable engine compared to the 2.6 (common cracked heads) but a 4×4 would have the 2.6.Not sure why the factoty fuel pump was blocked off, they worked great and are available at any of the parts houses.The Weber was the only choice as finding someone to rebuild it and some parts are not available.The Webers are noisy.The seller would have a better chanceof selling if the price was aligned with the market IMHO.
I recently sold MY pride and joy, ‘80 Arrow Sport pickup. Well over 200,000 miles, with a new windshield, alternator, breaks, and still ran great. Bought it new, with the optional roll bar & front grill guard. Shiny yellow paint with a couple of rust holes in the fenders and bed, $2200. I’d like to think mine was worth a lot more, but, there’s a pretty small market for these! Judging by the ‘Good Sam’ sticker on the tailgate this little gem spent a lot of time being towed behind a motor home.
12k is about 3x too high.
I have 5 of these, all in decent condition… if this yanks 12.5, look for 3 more to be posted very soon.
i wish i could own this pickup it looks just like the one my dad’s dad owned & i love the truck alot
I love me a small truck! Nimble, easy to park, nice for light utility work, and usually dependable as hell. Yeah the ask seems crazy high, but it’s just that, an ask. I just wish Scotty would tell us how he REALLY feels about Tucson. :-)
In the mid 80’s, I had an 81 D50 Sport with 5 speed and an 81 Plymouth Sapporo, both with the 2.6L. They were both great vehicles for a recently married college grad. Never had issues with either one but I would be hard pressed to pay 12k for one now.