Wiki defines a pickup truck as “a light or medium duty truck that has an enclosed cabin, and a back end made up of a cargo bed that is enclosed by three low walls with no roof (this cargo bed back end sometimes consists of a tailgate and removable covering).” That’s a pretty broad scope, anything from a Japanese market micro truck to a Cybertruck. I’d choose one like this 1969 Dodge D200 Camper Special myself. This beauty is listed here on eBay in beautiful Fredericksburg, Texas, and the seller is asking $20,750, or you can make an offer.
Fredericksburg, Texas, in the Hill Country, is a heck of an area. If you haven’t been there, get to it! If you combine your love of vintage vehicles with a love of wine, as I do, you’ll love it. My wife and I spent a week there a few years ago and were amazed at the great wineries and outstanding wine. We aren’t wine snobs, just experienced enthusiasts who typically take a wine trip every year and belong to too many wine clubs, so the UPS/FedEx folks know us well. Texas has one of the fastest-growing wine regions in the U.S. and is the second most-visited wine region in the country! Even more amazing: the very first vineyard in North America was established in Texas back in ’62. I don’t mean 1962, I mean 1662! By the 1970s, the Texas wine industry was well-established, and it really is a beautiful area, with some wineries that can hold their own with just about any wine on the planet. Disclaimer: Texas Hill Country and/or Fredericksburg didn’t pay me one thin dime for that recommendation; it’s a real one! Back to this Hill Country Dodge pickup.
This seller, Street Dreams Texas, typically has some of the best eBay photos on their listings, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The second-generation Dodge D-series trucks were made from 1965 through 1971, and if you’re a single-headlight person (as in, one on each side rather than two on each side as the earlier trucks had), this is the generation for you. It looks rock solid, other than some normal surface rust (or patina, as they call it), and they show quite a few underside photos as well. Yes, those are headers, a nice touch for a bit of boost for the 318 engine. The cab marker lights are a great touch. It looks like it had bigger side mirrors at one time, doesn’t it?
I’m not a fan of the new seat cover, but that’s an easy change if a person has any money left over for changes after paying $20k for this truck. This one doesn’t have power steering, which would be a chore if this Camper Special actually has a camper on the back of it in the future. The headliner could use some tweaking, but otherwise, it looks nice inside.
Now that’s an engine bay! This is Dodge’s 318-cu.in. OHV V8, which was rated at 210 horsepower, and you can see power brakes, but no power steering or air-conditioning. Power is sent through a three-speed LoadFlite automatic to the rear wheels, and they say it runs and drives well. Hagerty is at $13,200 for a #3 good-condition example, so I’m sure they’ll be sitting on this one for a while at $20,750. How much would you pay for this D200 Camper Special?
I submitted this to BF because I think it’s a good illustration of a basic principle of Economics 101: Buy Low, Sell High! This truck sold on BAT in April for $9,200 – presumably to the current seller. I’m sure he doesn’t expect to get $20K, but he should walk away with a reasonable chunk of change. This is how it’s done, kids!
Thanks for the tip, Todd! I didn’t see a name listed after the tip, sorry about that.
What’s the difference between a LoadFlite and a Torq-flite ?
I’m not sure, Stan, I went with what was listed in a brochure. Some sources (forums, mostly) say the 727 TorqueFlite was more for cars, and the LoadFlite was for trucks.
Page 9 of this 1970 brochure lists the Loadflight:
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1970-Dodge-Pickups-and-Stakes.pdf
And here’s a blurry pic from a 1969 brochure. I couldn’t find a good 1969 Dodge pickup brochure.
Thx for the reply SG 👍
I do like this generation of Dodge Pickups. But, this one has me scratching my head, power brakes, an automatic ( Loadflite), but manual steering? On a “Camper Special”??? That must have been a handful to steer loaded. I like the headers on that 318, it will definitely breathe a little easier. It looks like a solid truck, but that sure is quite a markup.
Power steering by Armstrong, 4/60 A/C (2 wing windows and 2 to roll down).
Nice truck. Simple, durable, pretty original.
Be a good one for every day use too.
Good catch on your part Todd J. and a good lesson in vehicle economics.
This number 4 truck (it’s not a 3) is worth a little less than the BAT price paid. $8k would be a fair price for a 2 wheel drive longbed that rides and drives like a brick. Desirability, drivability and appearance are all low on this one. Only a masochist with very specific desires would shell out $20K on this one.
Way overpriced, the $9,200 it recently sold for on BAT is probably its true market value. It’s hard to see it sell for anywhere close to $20,000, not many well worn 3/4 tons from that era, even the more sought after Ford and Chevrolet’s. This dealer looks to have high prices on all of their listings and has a very low sell through rate.
Steve R