When a lot of us think about “The Dude”, we think about the Coen Brothers’ movie, The Big Lebowski, not the special edition Dodge Sweptline pickup for model years 1970 and 1971. I saw the movie in the theater when it came out in 1998, but even sitting there watching it, I was thinking about The Dude pickup; no lie. This 1971 Dodge D200 “The Dude” was sent in by T.J., thanks for the tip, dude!
Disclaimer: the seller has this listed as a D100 but the VIN clearly shows it as a D200, I just thought I’d mention that right away. The Dude Sport Trim Package was available on both the D100 and D200. As one of the rarest pickups of the last six decades, The Dude was introduced in late 1969 for the 1970 model year and they used none other than Don Knotts as a spokesman for the company’s advertising campaign. It was clearly more of a tongue-in-cheek idea, Mr. Knotts wasn’t exactly known for being a rugged dude. He was better known for The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, The Shakiest Gun in the West, and years of playing bumbling Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a The Dude edition Dodge pickup for sale before, they are very rare to see. Sadly, they’re so rare that some parts can be impossible to find, like the special flat tailgates and you can see that it’s missing here. The bed and the entire body of this truck look solid to me, including the underside. There were many colors available for this special edition and I believe this is a very faded “Bright Red”, but it looks more like “Medium Burnt Orange” in the exterior photos. The interior and engine compartment photos show red paint.
This truck is solid and has minimal rust, according to the seller, and details like the interior can be done by almost any weekend mechanic and restoration buff. This would be an absolute show-stopper as you will likely never see another one at any vintage vehicle event. I have never seen one in person and there were reportedly only between 1,500 and 2,000 made.
A numbers-matching Pebble Beach winner will probably never happen here as the original 318-cu.in. OHV V8 is long gone. The seller says it had a 440 V8, which is also missing, so you’ll have to start from scratch. Being a stickler for originality, even though it can never be “original” without the original engine, I’d maybe opt for what would have been an optional 383 V8. A 440 was never an option for this model, but it would sure be cool, so on second thought, maybe I’d go that route. The seller has it listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Denver, Colorado and they’re asking $5,750. Here is the original listing. How would you restore this very rare special edition Dude pickup?
“Well, I guess to sum it up, you could say, there’s three reasons why there’s so little crime in Mayberry. There’s Andy, and there’s me, and [patting gun] baby makes three.”
+10 for an Andy Griffith Show reference!
Now just a ding dang diddly minute, nobody is a bigger AG fan than me. Why, I can practically lip sync all 249 episodes. My favorite, of course, “Checkpoint Checkie” for all the old trucks.
Jesse Donald Knotts was huge, in fact, the reason he left AG was to move on to other projects. I read it was one of the toughest decisions he had to make. The author only scratched the surface of his accolades, most to many besides AG, was 3’s Company, Herbie movie and countless fill ins, PLUS, he loved go-karting. He just had the look, and Dodge knew it. A shameful promotion, I’m sure he’d admit, but in Hollywood, you takes what you can gets.
The truck itself? Good heavens, ol’ Barn is spinning in his grave.
Okay, 2nd biggest fan. I’ll give 10 points to anyone knowing where Barney Fife lived? ( author not included in offer who happens to know that)
Our 30-year-old Goddaughter grew up on the Andy Griffith Show, but I can’t imagine there are many folks under 50+ who watch it or have even seen it or heard of it, sadly.
“If I let you do 40 today, you’ll do 45 the day after that. If I let you do 45 the day after that, you’ll do 50 the day after that. If I let you do 50 the day after that, you’ll do 55 the day after that…” (Checkpoint Chickie)
IT WAS MRS. MENDELBRIGHTS BOARDING HOUSE,,,sheesh.
Bisbee, Arizona is a truly unique place- well worth a visit if possible. It is a former mining town (Warren, close nearby is a time capsule). The first time I visited Bisbee, a shop (that, unfortunately, was never open) had t-shirts on display for sale. They had Don Knott’s image on the front with the caption: “Bisbee- like Mayberry on acid.” I was disappointed that I missed that one (along with the one reading: “Chicks dig me for my Senior Discount”). I had a 1971 W-300 years ago. I always thought that the earlier dashboard and grilles were better looking, but the cabs always rusted (if they were rusty) in all the same places- front cab mounts, rockers, steps, cowl, floors, kick panels and gutters (especially above windshield from the inside out).
And all car nuts need to see nearby Lowell, Arizona, where the street through town (a mix of real old stores and recreations) abruptly ends at the edge of an enormous open pit mine. Check out photos of this place.
I don’t know, John, I had a neighbor that moved to NM, and says how wonderful it is, however, all I can think of is tumbleweeds and cow skulls.
Sunshine 300+ days a year, < 15” of snow (we are at 6,000 feet), mild climate, reasonable cost of living (cheap compared to SF Bay Area), no taxes on SS, great food, diverse mix of cultures, interesting mix of transplants from all over the country and the world, sun rises and sun sets that will take your breath away, vibrant art, music and car show culture, slow, slow pace of life (“Carpe Manana”- unofficial state motto), fewer people and NO traffic. No humidity and few insects. Water availability looks good for the foreseeable future. Great local VA clinic plus regional hospital (specialists are within 1-3 hour drive). It’s not perfect, but, as seniors, suits us quite well. Well paying employment is difficult to find and is confined primarily to the few larger cities, US Government or major corporations. We live one block from a minor university and are always there- classes, events, concerts, pickleball, etc. Yes, there are vast expanses of open lands (with tumbleweeds and cactus) and mountains. Perfect if you like to drive long distances. We are in a small town, but can get anything if we are patient. And we can fly out of our little local airport to connect to the world. It’s a nice balance.
You sold me on 300+ days of blue skies, no humidity, no mosquitoes, and fewer than 15″ of snow, John.
One more thing about New Mexico- how could I forget- completely legal, reasonably priced and readily available recreational cannabis (or so I’ve heard). 🤔 There are so many “dispensaries” around that a similarly-aged friend of mine once said, “Did you ever think that you would live to see the day when it was harder to buy a six pack of beer than a couple of joints?”. 🤪
Hi John, sounds okay, just doesn’t have the zing of Colorado, and we too enjoy day after day of blue skies, 300+ as well. Coming from Wisconsin, where my brother says it’s been raining for 2 months, our weather is almost boring. I’m glad you found a place you enjoy to run the clock out, far as benefits, as a senior, Colorado been very good to me, (in my best Garrett Morris voice, he was great too) partly because of the revenue brought in by the dope dealers, Colorado being a pioneer in such matters, but the money does go for good things. I believe our gubnor is the richest in the country, and more( new) police cruisers than NYC!
Appears to be the truck I had 30 yrs. ago. Then it had a 383, ran d@mn good on 7 cylinders. Dodge should have went with the C-stripe on all their trucks. Better than all the chrome hangin on the side that fell off after a few yrs. Breaks up the sides also, so they don’t look so big.
Correct me if I’m right, but I believe the Dude pickup had a bigger rear window as well.
Not to belabor the point, but when you choose what engine to put in, you might consider a transmission too since it’s also missing. And what’s with the green dash and red interior? Was this a “Christmas Dude”? Anyway, there’s a lot of work to do here and probably not worth the asking price.
The dashboard metal surfaces were finished in a flat or matte black paint from the factory. This dash appears to be dirty, sun faded or ?, possibly causing it to appear discolored in the photo.
Had this truck 30 yrs. back. C-stripe is better than chrome trim that would fall off after a short while. Also breaks up length n width of the dodge bed.
Now you need to find a Gentleman Jim.
An IH Johnny Reb would be rarer and cooler .(political correctness aside).
Oh yeah, that would be the ultimate International!
https://barnfinds.com/rare-rebel-edition-1971-international-pickup/
A Custom Sports Special with a Hemi would be great.
https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700/MTk0NTYwMzc1NDE1NDQ4OTYz/scan-8.webp
You would have to just love the body style and still have a few loose screws to pay that much for that thing if it were running. They were as nice and refined as any prewar truck. With their straight axles and probably 20-1 steering they were far behind the competition’s with a ride and handling Model A esq. I owned a 70. It was a half ton a 3/4 is even worse.