Dodge would be a real contender for the title of having made the first muscle truck, whether it was the Dodge L’il Red Express or the much earlier 1964 Dodge D-100 Street Wedge. This 1989 Dodge Dakota may not have been the fastest truck around but it looks tidy and it can be found listed here on eBay in Le Mesa, California where the current bid price is $10,100. There is also an $18,000 buy-it-now price listed.
What were you driving in 1989? If you were even alive yet, I mean. I was a big Dodge fan and had four Dodge vans in 1989, none of which had an engine bigger than a 318 V8 which is what this Shelby Dakota has, but this one has much more power. The Shelby Dakota pickup was an offshoot of Dodge’s Dakota Sport pickup, tweaked by the master himself, Carroll Shelby.
Dodge’s Shelby Dakota pickup was made for one year only: 1989. That’s pretty exclusive. There were reportedly just 1,500 of them made and nice ones can be found for reasonable money, or they could be until recently when, as with almost everything else, their prices/values have been going up. This example appears to be in nice condition. The seller says, “Not an old truck, completely refreshed.”
There were either 995 Shelby Dakotas made in red and 505 of them in white, or 860 in red and 640 in white depending on the source. Supposedly, one was made that was white above the stripe and red below the stripe. The owner says that this is #1,101 out of 1,500 or 1,501 made and they report that it’s smog legal in California. They were all equipped with a four-speed automatic and column shifter and all of them were rear-wheel-drive.
In place of a four-cylinder or a V6, the Shelby Dakota came with a 318 cubic-inch V8 that had 175 horsepower along with 275 lb-ft of torque. The seller doesn’t give much info in the listing other than this one has “thousands in new parts” and they also say to get in touch with questions. The current bidders really like this example, I wonder if it’ll hit the seller’s reserve? Any guesses on what this one will sell for?
I was driving a 72 Ford Galaxy 500 in 1989 . 351Windser , 2dr with Cragers all the way around it . I miss that car . Sure it wasn’t a Shelby but , it would have probably kept pace with this muscle truck .
Sounds like a great car Bud!
I worked at a Chrysler dealership back in the late 80’s. I drove every Shelby except the van. The Dakota was very quick for the time. All of the Shelby’s were quick!
I had a limited addition Dakota with the Mopar Express package. It was a V6, with the same “spoiler” with fog light, red, Walker Evans front and rear bumper and tonneau cover had a huge ram logo that said, MOPAR EXPRESS. A real head turner, but nothing but mechanical issues. Leaking rear axle seals, several times. Front end wouldn’t stay aligned. It had beautiful red bucket seats with Rams on the headrests. Pretty cool for a 20 year old single guy at the time.
A co worker of mine had one and someone hit him , I had to show him how to fight the insurance company to get the most money because insurance just considered it to be a V8 Dakota not a rare truck.
A truck increasing in value just because of the name Shelby. Nice shape I would think it would be worth more.
I doubt it Bud, sorry but your Ford was a 120hp slug. I worked in a CPD and Chevrolet dealership back in the day. These, the turbo Colts and Daytona’s ran very well, a turbo Colt could run with a Vette and Mustang. Just because they seem like a granny car doesn’t make them one.
$13,600 now, talk about a long list of new parts!!
Had one. It had some minor modifications (graphics, roll bar) but it was a pretty cool truck.
The best part was just starting it up and watching the faces of people nearby because of the deep, low rumble. Often got the comment, “well THAT doesnt sound like a V6”
No, sir, it ain’t :)
https://i.imgur.com/uAfzKYJ.jpg
What a GREAT truck! I had the exact truck as a “company car”. I was a Service District Manager for Chrysler, and was changing vehicles every 4-6 months. I managed to hold on to the Shelby Dakota for almost 9000 miles…
When the electric fan came on, (no room for the one driven off the water pump), it sounded like the Batmobile! IT WAS SO MUCH FUN to drive! Best of luck to both seller & buyer!
I was driving my 1986 Dodge Ramcharger with a 360 that I bought new. That’s one vehicle I wish I still had.
Auction update: this one sold for $14,101.