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Convertible Pickup Survivor: 1990 Dodge Dakota

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Yes, that’s right, it’s a convertible! I’m not exactly sure what Dodge was thinking when they introduced this modification to their mid-sized pickup line that was produced from 1989 to 1991 (although the eight produced in 1991 hardly counts as “production”). Sent to us by Jim S., as a drop-top fan I quickly volunteered to write this beauty up! It’s one owner/seller currently lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and is up for sale here on eBay, where bidding is low but has not bet the reserve.

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As you can see, Dodge really thought they had something with this truck. And, to be honest, I’ve looked for one at various times, because not only did I like the idea of a convertible truck, but I think the Dakota was a great sized truck anyway. My looking times have never coincided with one being available, though.

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This truck is still with it’s original owner, and as they state in the ad, “This Little Dakota has had a great quarter of a century of care with me and my wife. Garage kept year round, parked on a rug in a heated garage with a car cover on. To say it has been well maintained, would be an understatement, it has had the best.” I think it’s pretty obvious that it’s been loved. With the convertible top up as in this picture, it really doesn’t look very different from the normal version of the truck.d4

To state that the interior was mint would almost do it a disservice. There are more detail shots in the auction listing and they show it being in really stellar shape. It’s an LE, which does give it some power options, but there is no air conditioning or cruise control. I could flippantly say that the air doesn’t matter with a convertible top, and maybe it doesn’t in Alberta, but here in North Carolina it would matter a lot. That being said, I’m sure it could be retrofitted, and I wouldn’t let that keep me from this exquisite truck if I wanted one. The seller did not include pictures, but I’m willing to bet it’s just as nice under the hood as it is on the outside. So–what do you think about a convertible pickup truck?

Comments

  1. Avatar DREW V.

    Always loved these but Damn, this ones all the way up in Canada and I’m down South…

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  2. Avatar Righteous Bob

    Had one, in Red and black top and interior, sold it on e-bay for 3600.00 about a year ago.. Went to Canada?? Guy that bought it had 3 of them.. Got lots of looks when your driving it, or if its parked..

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  3. Avatar MountainMan

    Aaahhhh…..1990….I was also thinking these were a wonderful idea. I had a few Dakota trucks but unfortunately I didn’t get to enjoy owning a convertible. It seems as though many of the drop tops produced ended up with a meticulous owner

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  4. Avatar Ed P

    Interesting concept. Chevy sold the Isuzu built Tracker with a convertible top. That did not sell well either. The rarity of this Dakota would make it a worthwhile vehicle alone.

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  5. Avatar Wayne

    Hi, my wife are the owners of this little Dakota. The truck has had an easy life, my earlier career in the military meant I was not around lots, so she sat sometimes for a year or two at a time, hence condition and lower mileage. We are getting up there in age and find we do not have much of a use for her. So thought it’s time for someone to love her as much as we did for the next 25 plus years. Thanks for posting about our truck. Wayne & Verleen.

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    • Avatar Jamie Staff

      Hi, Wayne — am I right that it looks just as nice underhood as on the outside? :-)

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Wayne

    Hi Jamie, yes it sure is, I neglected to post photos of the engine bay and undercarriage. When it ceases raining here will correct that over sight.

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  7. Avatar William H

    Always wanted a convertible truck so I made one from a ’72 Datsun I bought for $150. Did all the body work, including a lift off hard top, then sprayed it with a gallon of oops maroon paint from the local auto paint shop. Made new custom door panels. Stitched up some black leather with mauve suede inserts and reupholstered the seats. Drove it for a long time until the bearing on the 2-piece drive shaft froze up causing catastrophic damage to the body and frame. Looked like someone set a grenade off under it. No recovering from that one.

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  8. Avatar stillrunners

    Did some buddy say why did Dodge do this ? Do we forget all the jap mini trucks with the chop tops running around in the 80’s ? They were cheap in the 70’s and 80’s so it was easy to cut them up. Mopar did right with these and this is another I’ve wanted since they were introduced !

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    • Avatar Rando

      I was about to say the exact same thing. In the day, mini trucks were everywhere. Cheap and easy to modify – the “Duece coupe” of the day? So Dodge was trying to sell some trucks. I thought it was a heck of an idea. Two-seater convertible. Plus a truck bed. Good luck the the seller on a good-looking example – the few around here went downhill pretty fast seems like.

      Like 0
  9. Avatar LD

    Nice condition, wonder if these could actually tow a trailer–what about cowl shake? LD71 :D

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  10. Avatar Bmac Member

    I own three of these, one two wheel drive & two 4 wheel, these were converted by ASC for Dodge. Fun truck to drive but a/c is a must as it gets very warm in the small cab which lacks air flow

    Like 0

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