Simple, yet effective: that’s seemingly the best way to describe this short-bed 1972 Dodge D100 pickup. These are simple machines, and this one has some great patina that the seller has handily baked in courtesy of spraying some clearcoat over the well-worn exterior. The truck is equipped with a 318 V8 and automatic transmission, and honestly, not much else – but there’s way less to break that way. There was a time when these were basically give-away trucks, but not any more. Bidding is approaching $5,000 here on eBay where the Dodge is offered with no reserve and located in Canton, Georgia.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Larry D. for the find. The Dodge is in fair shape overall, and pretty indicative of what I find when I visit my friend’s property in north Georgia that has been profiled on here a few times. There’s a mixture of everything: some sun damage, some paint fade, some rust, but nothing extreme in any category. This truck certainly has the wear and tear inside, with the dash cracked and bench seat in need of a re-trim if you want perfection; otherwise, just throw a blanket over it and deal with it another time. Door panels are fair and the original radio remains in the dash.
The 318 V8 wasn’t a powerhouse, but just saying you had eight cylinders was enough for some truck buyers. The engine bay looks decent, although the hoses look quite old and the valve covers are losing their luster. Matching green paint inside the engine bay is encouraging to see, and the paint on the air cleaner assembly – along with the original manufacturer sticker – add some class to the underhood compartment. The seller claims it runs and drives very well, but doesn’t expand on any recent maintenance the truck has received. Still, your risk of major mechanical faults is fairly low, and any mechanical needs can likely be sorted out in a weekend.
We just pulled this truck out of the north Georgia property that’s been previously profiled here on Barn Finds. I’m hoping to dig into this one in the coming weeks as it desperately needs a bath but looks to be a solid short-bed example. The bidding on the eBay example is strong for what is otherwise a very plain-jane truck, and one that didn’t leave the factory with many options. It seems like every domestic pickup with a short-bed design is picking up steam lately – what make or model do you suspect will be next on the list of vintage trucks collectors want to own?
If it had a Bowtie or blue oval emblem on the grill it would sell for double its current bid.
Steve R
I agree, they don’t get enough respect. Any ideas as to why? yet, modern day RAMs seem to be all the rage, go figure.
Arent you the same guys that remark at how much mopar cars sell for
Amazing if it cleaned up from that crusty look. Someone will save it.
Get it right, it’s not “patina”, it’s called RUST, it’s what lazy people say instead of, idk, oh yeah…painting it…idc if it’s original paint when it’s a rusty old truck…with that logic, i guess the peeling clear coat on my 99 dodge ups the value…
It might be time to consider regulating the sale and use of clear coat because of this kind of abuse.
There’s a word for this…”Stupid”.
“Useless” is also applicable.
“Why?” is too.
I equate this nonsense as a type of vandalism. That’s just my opinion. If I want an old Dodge pickup (and I always do) I want an honest truck, not some nitwit reseller’s conception of an old Dodge pickup.
“Shove it up your ugly a**!”, I say.
It might be time to consider regulating the sale and use of clear coat because of this kind of abuse.
There’s a word for this…”Stupid”.
“Useless” is also applicable.
“Why?” is too.
I equate this nonsense as a type of vandalism. That’s just my opinion. If I want an old Dodge pickup (and I always do) I want an honest truck, not some nitwit reseller’s conception of an old Dodge pickup.
Twice. Eh…Sorry.
I would keep it just as it is. Take it to the lake on the weekend or haul stuff from the lumberyard or to the dump. Honest old truck indeed.
I wish to point out that despite the regrettable clear-coat this is a pretty nice truck. This one is pretty nicely equipped for the era. It is a couple steps above a base truck with the Adventurer package. IIRC this was mostly an appearance package with side trim, wheel covers, different paint schemes (this one is two-tone with dark green roof) upgraded interior, glove box and under dash lights and other details. Might have included the two note horns. I think this has an optional instrument panel and I think the cloth upholstery is optional. For many years things like a passenger side arm rest or passenger side sun visor were optional. I believe that they were included with the Adventurer option.
This truck has air conditioning and manual brakes. They might be disc brakes. It might have power steering but I can’t tell. The seller has done a poor job describing actual features. He seems mostly interested in the image that the clear coated “patina-laden” conveys.
In fact this is about as much as anyone really needs in a half ton pickup. If a little genuine maintenance is performed and reasonable care given this truck will likely outlive a succession of owners all the while faithfully serving them well like any well designed machine or tool. It might possibly last until the very end of the use of internal combustion engines. I don’t think any of us will be around to see that day.
I have owned a ’76, a ’77 and a ’79 of this era truck. Great trucks and the 318 will last forever ( well at least 330k miles) if you keep clean oil in it. The two problems with all of them is the wiring/fuse box rot away and rust in the fenders . If you kept one in a garage it would probably last forever, but who keeps an old dodge truck in the garage? :)
Couldn’t find any cracks in this dash…. unless your referring to the part line for the glove box or the minor cracks in the steering wheel. This Adventurer is one sweet restoration project!
Love to buy this and take it to my local Dodge/Ram dealership where my 2019 Ram Tradesman & my wife’s Dodge Journey are maintained. John and his guys would love to work on this one!
I have a 72 Dodge truck .It’s W200 which is the 3/4 ton version . It’s a camper special with an adventure package . When I got married in 77 I wanted a truck . A 4 wheel drive . I found a 72 Chevrolet .Brought it home and my wife said no way. She couldn’t drive it because it had a 4 speed . Told me get an automatic and we will talk . Then she said she liked the look of Dodges . So I found a Dodge in a cooper and white . She loved it !! Had a 360 engine and automatic . It was a one owner so we agreed to buy it . I was teased till the cows come home for buying a Dodge not a Chevrolet . Well I still have the truck and looks no worse then the day I bought it . I just never understood why I was teased so . Dodge was the first to get rid of the square box styling . Chev followed
I like this truck. I don’t mind the patina over coat over weak paint, but over rust is just lazy. If it were mine, it would be treated to new paint and interior.
It has the tell tale old man owner sign that I used to see before I became an old man – When a piece or trim was knocked off , they always would put a big old screw right through the molding and the sheet metal . I’ll bet its going to be hard to find another one .
One has to remember that 1972 was the first year for the redesigned Dodge pickup truck, featuring independent front suspension, easy access fuse box underneath the glove box door. There is a nice one-minute commercial on YouTube showing the New for ’72 Dodge Pick up truck.