There was a time when cab-over trucks like this 1970 Dodge A-100 were an everyday sight. Even Ford (Econoline) and Chevrolet (G-10) got in on the act. Ford also offered a pickup truck version similar to our subject vehicle. By ’70, however, it was over as both Dodge and Chevrolet moved to more modern, ostensibly safer, designs (Ford abandoned the Econoline cab-over after 1967). I was so surprised to find this A-100 pickup on our tip list, I just had to take a closer look. It’s located in Hermosa Beach, California and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $6,500.
Found in the back of a heating and air conditioning business that closed its doors many years ago, this old-school pickup is sans its 145 gross HO 225 CI in-line “slant-six” engine and three-speed manual transmission – the trim tag specifies how it was originally equipped. The seller adds, “We had plans to make it a Shop truck and put an LS in it…” – it’s not only BF readers that make such a suggestion.
The current registration is 1985, apparently, it was parked when the HVAC biz closed and when the real estate was sold, the truck went with the sale. As for the engine and transmission, it would be interesting to know when and why they were removed. Anyway, the body of this pickup is in pretty fair condition. It has dents, surface rust, a bent front bumper, a missing rear rammer, and broken taillights but there are no visuals of rot or serious collision damage. It appears to be complete but an image of the cargo bed would have been appreciated. Note: Some of the exterior images were taken after a wash which presents the finish in a shinier light.
The interior of such vehicles is always tin can-like in its bearing and this Dodge is no exception. The seats appear to be missing and there’s a surprising amount of surface rust present, most notably with components like the instrument panel. Interestingly, there’s no ceiling sound deadener, though a film of corrosion is evident and if there were ever B-pillar trim panels in place, they’re gone now.
OK, so now it’s what to do with it time. The Little Red Wagon suggestion is a no-brainer – I don’t mean a logical path forward, just an expected, typical suggestion. Trying to return it to stock form with a six-banger doesn’t seem too exciting so maybe a slammed, murdered-look hot-rod makes sense. I don’t know what would be best but I’d hate to see an LS end up between the seats. So tell, me, what would you do with this seldomly seen Dodge A-100?
I’ve got an Econoline I need to sell …. have to see what these go for.
I have a stupid idea if I had “stupid” money. Buy it, stretch it into a 6 wheel car hauler for a “65 cuda or A100 wheel stander.. “Working” man’s version of Jay Leno’s Mercedes car hauler.
They made a cab over that size. I forget what it’s called. I see one parked by the side of the road in VT
Can’t load a picture but it was the Dodge L series. Same styling cues but bigger cab.
I’d make it a sleeper with an updated 1970 Dodge A100 engine, trans, suspension…
HELLCAT cabover !
318 or a 383 for me. Chrysler made a
lot of great engines so why not keep
the drive train in the family. Another
wild thing I saw was an A100 that had
been converted to an EV. with all that
space under the bed, you could install
several stacks of lithium ion batteries
or even a power pack from a Tesla.
Make the whole setup direct drive, and then you too can beat the high cost of fuel and have a unique truck
at the same time!
A 318 will bolt right in. A 340 will too. With a little extra work, a 440 can be made to fit also.
Keep it in the family – how about a modern Hemi or Jeep’s new 3.0L twin-turbo straight 6?
I have never seen the Chevy G10 version of this, only the Dodge A100 and the Econoline / Falcon version. Only Chevy one I know of is the Corvair truck. Anyone got a picture of the G10 version?
The G10 version was called the Unicorn.
The Chevy G-10 reference is to a cab-over design, not a specific pick-up version.
JO
Thank goodness it may be saved from the dreaded LS pandemic.
It needs to stay a Mopar as others have already said. Plenty of great options
I went to look at a Dodge A100 about 7 years ago with the engine in it at a used car dealership, but I didn’t buy it. They were asking around $3,400. I sold my 64 GMC Handivan G1000 for $1,950 ten years ago with a 194ci. I saw a Ford Econoline truck for sale locally for around $6k if I remember correctly back about six months ago locally.
426 in the bed. Please.
I know a guy that had the van, A108?, version that he swapped the engine out of a wrecked T/A Challenger into, SixPac and all. It was wild handling beast.
EV swap. The battery pack can be mounted low and central for much better weight distribution than would ever otherwise be possible with something like this.
I have a 61 econoline truck that I’m pondering something like that. Still bloody expensive compare to ICE. But it would be quieter and better handling.
Make it the “Little Red Wagon” nostalgia drag car. Famous in the day – even made a model car kit at one time.
Did they “patina” the interior?
For 32K, you can have a really nice 69 Dodge A100 pickup. It was just listed in Colorado Springs, CO Craigslist.
Had one of these back in the 70’s. Traded a case of beer for it. It was about in the same shape as this one, possibly a little worse. Slant 6 and 3/Tree, it would really scoot. Had overheating issues that a new radiator and flex fan didn’t cure.
My boss had a similar truck but with 318 and automatic. I loved driving that one too, could easily light the tires!