American vehicle manufacturers battled with tighter emission regulations during the late 1970s as the power outputs of its previous high-performance models dropped considerably. They turned to what seemed an unlikely solution, rolling out potent versions of their existing Pickup range. It spawned vehicles like the Li’l Red Express and the Warlock. This 1978 Warlock is no ordinary truck because its first owner equipped it with the rare 440ci V8. It presents beautifully, needing nothing but a new home. The seller has listed the Dodge here at Barn Finds Classifieds in Lakewood, California and can also be found here on eBay.
Dodge introduced what it termed its “adult toy” range of vehicles in the late 1970s, including the Li’l Red Express and Macho Power Wagon Top Hand. The Warlock broke cover in 1976 as a limited edition, becoming a regular offering from 1977 until 1979. The recipe was surprisingly simple. The company took a vehicle like the D100, added distinctive cosmetic updates, and slotted a V8 under the hood. It gave the impression of a custom build but came directly from the manufacturer with a reassuring factory warranty. The company offered the 1978 Warlock in five paint shades, with this classic’s original owner selecting Formal Black with the distinctive Warlock Gold stripes and decals. It makes a positive first impression, courtesy of a cosmetic restoration in 2017. The paint has a beautiful depth of color and shine, while the graphics are crisp and clean. It isn’t a trailer queen, with a close inspection revealing minor chips and marks. However, it is a tidy driver that will undoubtedly turn heads. The panels are laser-straight, and there is no evidence of prior repairs or rust issues. This classic has lived in California, making its rock-solid nature unsurprising. The bumpers and other trim pieces are excellent, there are no signs of abuse in the timber bed, and the tinted glass is crystal clear. The wheels are a later addition, but they perfectly suit this Pickup’s character.
Dodge didn’t focus exclusively on exterior enhancements with the Warlock, creating a comfortable and inviting interior. Occupants sink into supportive bucket seats while the driver views the sports gauge cluster through a factory “Tuff Wheel.” The options list was as long as your arm, allowing buyers to tailor the Warlock to their needs perfectly. This classic’s interior is as impressive as its exterior, featuring spotless Black vinyl upholstery and trim. A previous owner replaced the carpet, and the original AM/FM radio/8-track player has made way for a more modern stereo with a USB input. However, the seller includes the original unit and a box of cartridges for those seeking a “stock” look. Otherwise, it is as it left the factory. Life inside this Warlock could get quite warm on sunny days, but the factory air conditioning should make things pleasant.
Lifting this Pickup’s hood reveals what distinguishes this classic from its peers. Buyers could choose from several V8 engines to power their 1978 Warlock, with the company’s legendary 440ci V8 the range-topping motor. It offered plenty of power under the driver’s right foot, but only seventy-four buyers ticked that box on the Order Form. This is one of those vehicles, with the remaining major mechanical components including a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. The 440 placed 200hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, and although the Li’l Red Express offered more power and better performance from its 360ci V8, the 440’s higher torque figure made it an effortless daily driver. The seller confirms that this Warlock is mechanically original and in excellent overall health. The engine starts at the first turn of the key, has plenty of power, and the transmission is smooth. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition.
As the 1970s dawned, nobody could have envisaged that the most potent high-performance vehicles available to buyers towards the end of the decade would be Pickups. Classics like the Corvette, Camaro, and Mustang simply couldn’t live with vehicles like the Li’l Red Express and the 1978 Dodge Warlock. This Warlock is a gem; the first owner’s engine choice increases its rarity and desirability. It isn’t perfect, but the new owner can enjoy a relaxed motoring experience behind the wheel of a vehicle that will almost certainly draw crowds like a moth to a flame wherever it goes. That makes this beauty worth a close look.
No matter camp you hail from, you have to admit, and while expletives surely send ones comment to Hades, this is one bad aXX( didn’t have the grapes) ,,,truck. Figures someone in go, go, go Californy would have one. The author only touched on the legality of these, if I may, feel free to correct. The Warlock and LRE slipped through the cracks as a truck, when cars were under scrutiny, there was a loophole, and someones kid at Dodge got a new mansion by the sea for this. I believe, even faster than the Corvette. The “200” hp claim is pure fluff, and the 440 was still a whopper. Ah, but there was a catch,,the price. Trucks from the “Warlock Project”, which included the L’il Red Express cost close to $7grand, when a regular D100 was around $4300. The LRE was more glitz, the Warlock appealed to an entirely different crowd, they still wanted to go fast. Sadly, it was a flop, it didn’t take the gubment long to see what a mistake it was not to include trucks, score one for the little guy. These were awesome trucks!
I have to admit, I am a bit confused. I owned a 70 challenger with a 440 Magnum and it pushed 375 hp stock . So how is it that this truck only is only pushing 200 HP with the. 440 ?
Because in 1970, the 440 had 10 to 1 compression and a high lift, long duration cam that let those 440 cubic inches breathe… In 1978 compression was less than 8 to 1 and the cam was tiny… If you wanted to get the hp back you had to put high compression pistons and a bigger cam in it
Good God !!!.. I love these trucks,
they have such clean lines and
basic truck comforts…. They are
great… Not like today’s junky
trucks… 60 miles of wire to turn
on the headlights — no good !!
Would love to have this one !
Ah, you have to love the 70’s. Warlocks, Macho Power Wagons, Tuff Wheels, and 440’s.
And me. 😁
That’s what I’m talking about ! We brought this subject a couple of months ago here on barn finds & the engine choices they had back then was a bone of contention but here it is in all its glory the 440 warlock! Now before we have people saying at 200 horse power that’s a joke just know that some simple modifications will net you 400 to 600 horsepower that’s naturally aspirated ! obviously the old adage there is no replacement for displacement holds true!
Plus, it’s really all about the torque and where it’s delivered. You see people saying “modern V6’s make more HP now”, and maybe they might even make more torque, but where? 5k RPM vs 2k RPM? I can count the number of times I’ve hit 5k RPM this week on zero fingers.
I tickle 6k RPM leaving work everyday lol
Love it.
What I don’t love is that it came up while the bank account was down, as usual.
I shoulda went to college instead of wrenching…
Knew a guy who had one of these in the bootheel of Missouri. Yes, his nickname was indeed Warlock. Weird dude, cool truck.
No catalytic’s on these correct? Nice truck!
Not on the lil red and the warlock trucks. You are correct!
I think the last year 79′, the Cats were added. The 360’s were the talk of the town back then on the trucks. The 440’s were meat, not muscle. They were rarer as stated above, but not as desirable, as the 360’s were sold as the fastest American Vehicle of the time.
Why would the hp be so low then? The pontiac 400 made 220hp in ’78 WITH the very restrictive GM pellet cat conv.
Well Joe, I’m a bit rusty, but up until ’72, I believe car makers used BHP and changed to SAE(?), and overly under-rated the hp for insurance. We all knew it was bunk.
Its 16 and climbing 🧗♀️
Nice truck in gr8 shape!
Working at a Dodge dealer from 78-80 had its advantages for a kid straight out of high school.
Looks to me like this truck might have been originally meant for Canadian delivery. The larger/outer digits on the speedo are in km/h …
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SvkAAOSwGS5mJXuO/s-l1600.jpg
Nice truck.air and opportunity. The only thing stopping me is sleeping on the couch for the next ten years. LOL
Good friend in High School had one of these. It was 1978, he just turned 16. He begged for the 440, he got the 318. His dad was a Chrysler zone rep. I don’t remember the grille being blacked out though.
The blacked out grill struck me too. Anyone?
The blacked out grille is not factory. Warlocks had the same grille as all other D/W series trucks.
Definitely a bunch of cool trucks came out during the doom and gloom era of performance in Detroit. The brainiacs over there figured out that the emissions requirements didn’t really pertain to so called work trucks. They actually performed quite well for this time period. If I’m correct weren’t they the fastest vehicles produced during this time? Anyway I always liked these… especially the LiL Red with the stacks.
I had one of these, it was born with a 318 but due to a gf wrecking my hand me down ’69 New Yorker that had a low mileage well maintained 440″ breathing under its previously pristine hood , the Hot Rodder in me knew a swap was on the agenda. What I wound up with was a monster of a truck that was scary fast and if I could keep my foot out of the carburetor consistently gave 18 – 20 MPG. The only bad part on that Warlock was the bed & the wood floor that had completely rotted away.
Bid of 20 K now, probably a very good buy if you like the truck.
I had a 78 warlock and Little red. My brother and I we through the warlock 440. With a 6 pack and put Dana 60s in it it made it in a magazine Mini that truck
I don’t like the black out grille, it’s not factory. Originally, this Warlock had gold wheels. Engine compartment would have to be put back to stock as well. Otherwise
a nice looking example of late 70’s muscle trucks that Dodge, put out, back then.
And also, ’78 was the LAST year for the 440 engine, in ANY Chrysler Corporation vehicle. And by that time, it was pretty much a smog motor, not like it was in 1967 through 1971…the “glory” years of the Super Commando/Magnum/ Six barrel/Six Pack 440’s.
After 70 the econo crunch really hit with oil prices and emissions and regulations choking out all the horse power. I think 73 was the last year of anything above 200 h.p.
I have a 1980 Dodge Ram Big Horn. Bought it new, all original. Only made one year in the two tone colour combination. Have only seen one other one and that was 35 years ago and it had been crushed and on the way to the Hamilton smelter. It has become an eye catcher at car shows because of it’s rarity..Would like to know who also has one.
“STELLAR” Really doesn’t get any better than this unless it was the Lil’ Red. Although with this and a mint Lil’ Red side by side I would have a REAL hard time deciding which one should be in my driveway even though the Lil’Red has always been my favorite. This is by far the best looking Warlock I’ve seen. My uncle had a 4X4 version of the Warlock with a 360 auto. Really nice but not compared to this. Was driving a dirt road and ran over a small tree. Tore a brake line out and had to jump before it went over an approximately 400 foot cliff. Not much left after that. Worse part was his insurance didn’t cover it and it was almost brand new. Bad day!
I’m not a truck guy, but that’s a gem!