The Dodge Lil’ Red Express remains one of the most memorable pickup trucks made by any manufacturer, and for a short time in 1978, it was the fastest American-made vehicle from 0-100. That’s a major honor for any manufacture, but it’s particularly impressive for a pickup truck in the late 70s. The Lil’ Red Express is also notable for a combination of cosmetic tweaks that also haven’t been repeated by any other truck model or manufacturer since, as the combination of exhaust stacks, a wood-paneled bed, and aggressive stance is a distinctive combo reserved for the hot rod Dodge. Find this survivor-quality ’79 model with under 22,000 original miles here on eBay.
This is one of those vehicles that remind me of how different the automotive landscape was in the late 70s. Now, Dodge in particular has a reputation for building cars and trucks that fly against the grain. The fact that the ’78 model didn’t have catalytic converters due to a loophole that Dodge sought to exploit following the passage of the Clean Air Act pleases my inner gearhead, but it’s also a bit of a foreshadowing to the current era where the company continues to push the envelope in terms of high-performance cars and trucks. Today, Dodge stands alone as a company that puts an obscene amount of horsepower within arm’s reach of anyone with a valid driver’s license.
The Lil’ Red Express is a model that has enjoyed tremendous staying power on the collector vehicles landscape. By all accounts, it should have faded into obscurity by now, a model that was a novelty at best when new and certainly never had the lasting impact of a nameplate like a Challenger or a Camaro. And even with the prestige that comes with being one of the fastest vehicles tested in a given year, the performance didn’t exactly set any lasting records. However, clean trucks like these command a strong price, and the Dodge is already over $14,000 with no reserve. The interior appears to be in excellent condition, asid from the Pep Boys floor mats.
The ’79 Lil’ Red Express introduced a few key differences, including the stacked headlights you see up front; chrome wheels on all four corners; a catalytic converter; and an 85-MPH speedometer. Production numbers also increased during the truck’s second run in response to how popular it was with consumers; just over 5,000 models were made in ’79. This particular Lil’ Red Express is said to be a genuine, low-mileage survivor, and while it likely has a few deviations from stock condition, there’s no denying the curb appeal factor is strong with this one. Would you buy a Lil’ Red Express or take a more subdued approach to muscle car ownership?
Looks good, it will probably bring in 30K or more, once it is all done. I read th ey were not sold in California when new.
I had mine for almost thirty years, didn’t look that good when I sold it a few years ago.
Nice Truck, I love them. GM also made a one year model simulator to them with twin stacks. You could get them with the 350 or the junk 350 olds diesel. I think they were called Sport. They are quite rare. I knew a fella that had a Diesel model. The Dodge was much quicker. But Chevy and GMC had color verity
Those wheels are a modern-day version of the classic ‘E-T, Fenton, etc’ wheel. They’re made today by US Wheel. The orginial MOPAR wheels were chrome and a unique design. Hard to find a wheel re-chroming shop these days, so what’s on this Express are probably because the originals are less then perfect.
Decent aftermarket wheels, I wonder if the original unobtaniums are still with it
I’d say those are the original wheels. I took mine off when I first bought the truck and used those Chrysler wheels. Sold the originals for $200 after the truck was gone, they were less than pristine. The same wheels came on warlocks, etc.