I still put out a flag each morning and take it in at dusk every night, or if it’s raining. On the eve of America’s 250th birthday, we should be showing more vehicles from 1976, and particularly, more with the 1776 theme. The seller says this truck was found in a barn in Washington state, and it’s sure packed in there. This 1975 Dodge D100 Spirit of 76 edition pickup can be found here on Facebook Marketplace in Duluth, Minnesota (hey, wait a minute!), and the seller is asking $15,900. Here is the original listing, and thanks to… well, I guess I found this one.
How’s that for a transformation?! The seller did a fantastic job of finding this rare, and I mean rare, model, not to mention cleaning it up. There’s no word about the topper/cap/shell that’s shown in the barn/shed photo, so I’m assuming that’s long gone by now. I would have taken it off anyway. This is one of a couple of special editions from Dodge to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It’s impossible for me to believe that another 50 years have gone by since then. I don’t see this special edition listed in this 1975 Dodge pickup brochure. There is some conflicting information online (shocking, I know!) about this special edition. This website says they were available on the D250 long bed, and in red, white, or blue exterior. I’ve only seen the white version, but maybe one of you knows more about this edition.
I’m old enough to have been alive and aware of things in 1976, having just barely become a teenager by that time. I was driving at age 13, although not on city streets. I mean, as far as anyone knew. As a huge fan of special edition vehicles with fun and sometimes gaudy graphics, this truck appeals to me like world peace, two-stroke engines, and retro TV shows. Dodge also made a Dart version with the Spirit of ’76 graphics, and we’ve seen two or three of them here, as well as International’s Scout version. There were probably others as well. Making this one somewhat unique, it’s a short bed, which could explain the higher price than a couple of others for sale online with a regular/long bed.
My wife and I saw a WWII Navy vet on a walk yesterday. This gentleman was slowly walking with his daughter, and he needed help to walk, but he was outside enjoying the nice weather. I noticed his WWII Navy Vet cap and thanked him for his service. His eyes lit up, he smiled, and said, “Thank you” in a soft, somewhat scratchy voice. It was such a great feeling to do that and to see someone in their 90s light up, knowing someone noticed their WWII Navy cap, and to take literally just 10 seconds to thank them. I know this isn’t the place for talking about things other than vehicles, and I’ll probably take some heat for doing that, but it gave me a good feeling to know that he had a good feeling from that little interaction. That someone cared enough to stop to thank him. I thought for a long time about what he must have seen during his life of well over 90 years. Ok, enough of that, sorry.
That brake pedal and automatic selector on the column are new, unfortunately. As a Custom trim level, a more basic truck, this one originally came with a three-speed manual and column shifter. The seller says that this truck was still with the original owner’s family when it was found, and, sadly, the owner’s son started to change the transmission from a three-on-the-tree to an automatic (NOOOOO!) but lost interest, so it sat. It now has that automatic in place, along with the 225 slant-six it came with. As a Custom/base trim, it was a low-content truck, but this one has power steering. The interior looks fantastic (the seat has been redone), but they say there was some rust on the floor, so they sealed it with POR and left it so the next owner can see what’s going on, rather than covering it up.
Even though they included a lot of great photos, there isn’t one photo showing the engine. I know. I’d amend the 250-year-old Constitution so online sellers would have to include at least one engine photo. Who’s with me?! (crickets). It has a 225-cu.in. OHV slant-six, which would have had around 145 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque. With an automatic and power steering, I’m sure it’s a super nice truck to drive now, but I really wish it still had the three-speed manual. It does have a new fuel pump, water pump, fuel sending unit, new rear shocks, radiator, belts, hoses, sway bar, and more. This truck isn’t inexpensive, and it has a few dents and dings, along with fading of the graphics. I’d want to restore this truck back to bone-stock original spec, including that three-speed manual. Have any of you heard of this special edition Dodge pickup?
Scotty, don’t know anything about this truck but did learn about you and how you formed and managed your life. I’m impressed.
Friday morning, a cup of coffee, an old truck that was new when I graduated from high school and a glimpse into the life of an American who’s a lot like me. Thanks Scotty
Graduated in ’76 also .Agree with what you wrote.It’s a great life !
Nice story Scotty!! Very cool sir.
Too bad the truck has been messed with…
Three on the tree is a lot better than an automatic for this truck. My ’76 had a 4 speed and slant six and performed well. It also leaked water in the rain but I figured out most of that. Front springs aren’t great on these trucks either.
Great write-up, Scotty. Thanks for being a classy guy!
I love the Dodges from this era, my dad had a few of ’em, though I have to admit that there is not an American truck from 1975 that I don’t like.
GLWTS
Scotty. I think anyone whos read your write ups on Barnfinds over the years can tell, you’re a genuinely nice guy. That was very kind of you and your wife to stop that gentleman. Nowadays everyone is in such a hurry, burried in their smartphone not even noticing there’s a world going on around them. If anyone gives you a hard time about writing that…… I’m sorry, but they’ll need to get their head examined.
As for the truck. It looks tremendously solid, especially that bed. And it really needs that 3 speed stick in the column again, especially wkth the Slant Six. Other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you Scotty!! I enjoyed this very much.
I suppose some could argue with the transmission change, but to be honest if it means it gets driven all the better. You have to remember a three speed on the column has been gone a long time. Not too many can use a clutch much less moving that shift lever next to the steering wheel. I think all the manufacturers built a 76 model in some form of red white and blue. Be it white car or truck and striping. Even some blue cars although I don’t recall red. Spirit of 76 was a big thing.
This was about the time of the “Dodge Boys” campaign I think. I remember being in the Boy Scouts and attending “Expo 75”. The Dodge Boys had a tent and display set up. I don’t recall any Bicentennial paint, just the free white cowboy hats and hearing “you in a heap of trouble boy” which their signature line.
Nice truck. You could park it at my place anytime. I like vehicles that have been specially painted to commemorate significant historical events. It even spread out to the agricultural side when Case decorated its new 1570 tractor. I’ve always liked the ’71 International “Johnny Reb.” Some family members would seriously object but I just like the paint job.
And, Scotty, don’t think for one minute that any of us would have a problem with you thanking a veteran. I had a lot of relatives who served (one spent a year and a half as a POW) and I appreciate the efforts of everyone of them.
Nice write up! Thanks. I had a ‘76 Mastercraft Stars and Stripes model that would have looked perfect towed behind this truck.
We are here because of people like that gentleman you thanked. Otherwise we might be speaking German or Japanese. And the vehicles we have for the same reason. My Uncle Jim was a medic and was at Normandy, Battle of the Bulge and a German war prisoner. HE IS MY HERO! He would never talk about the war until his son took him back to visit all the places he had been. The first stop was the beach at Normandy. While walking the beach an older French lady stopped him and asked if he had been part of the invasion. When he said he had. She threw her arms around him and thanked him profusely. Then then insisted that they come to her house for lunch. A couple of years later at a family reunion he spent the day reliving his time in WW II. It was a,very emotional day. With everyone laughing and crying at times. It did take the whole day. (Luckily, with recordings of it all )
Whether it be WW II or any time in the service of our country (military, law enforcement or a first responder of any kind) I wholeheartedly thank you for your service. And may God bless you!
Wouldn’t a “Spirit of ‘76” be a ‘76 model?🤷♂️
Bunky, you could be right that this is a 1976 model. Dodge introduced them late in 1975, but without a VIN, I just went with the seller’s model year.
Here’s one on ClassicCars.com that’s listed as a 1975, and the provided VIN confirms that it’s a 1975 truck.
https://classiccars.com/listings/view/910348/1975-dodge-d100-for-sale-in-arlington-texas-76001
Great pic geo 👍
Graduated in ’76 also .Agree with what you wrote.It’s a great life !
It has an aftermarket 8-track I see.
I wonder what tape is in it?
I hope it’s American Woman by The Guess Who…
Thanks for all of the great comments, folks!
I thank veterans anywhere and anytime that I see them, as mentioned by others they are why we have the lives we live today. Cool old truck I’d drive it all the time! If anyone gives you a hard time about your write up, I hope they are courageous enough to include their address, I’d make it a point to visit the next time I’m in the area. Great write up!
Thanks, Bill! I do as well. It makes it easy when they have their caps on, identifying their branch of service and which campaign (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, etc.). It’s such a quick and easy thing to do compared to what they all did for us.