One of the more disappointing trends to occur over the last several years is the reincarnation of an iconic brand name only to find out the modern-day replacement is nothing like the original. The Ford Bronco is one that comes to mind, as outside of the short wheelbase two-door model, the rest of the range just looks like yet another awkward SUV destined to crawl Starbucks parking lots. The Ramcharger name is coming back as well, and it’s basically just a pickup with some added features as opposed to a two-door SUV with a removable hard top. This unrestored 1979 Ramcharger SE is a reminder of what any truck with this name should always look like.
The other disappointing detail as it relates to the re-use of old model names is the lack of creativity. We can’t do any better than what came out 30 years ago? The Mach E hybrid that Ford sells was supposed to conjure up the notion that the modern day Mach 1 is going to be an electric car, and that clearly fell flat based on current sales projections. The Ramcharger is most known for the shape and purpose we see here, a brawny SUV that could be thrashed off road but also be just as at home going to the beach with the hard top removed. This truck sports the desirable SE trim, but does have some rust in the lower rear rockers behind the back wheels.
This truck is nicely equipped with not only the SE trim but also factory air conditioning, high-back bucket seats with a center console and rear bench seat, the factory tow package, and a roll bar. The interior has clearly seen better days, but scoping out the rear bench seat reveals a very cool factory upholstery pattern that I would absolutely try and recreate. The seller notes that the Ramcharger still runs and drives but there’s no way to tell if it shows actual mileage. The odometer indicates that the Dodge has 135,000 miles, and based on the condition shown here, it checks out. The headliner is in good shape, as are the dash and door panels.
The 318 and 360 are the V8 engines we most often see installed in driver-quality and unrestored Ramchargers, so this 400 is a nice change of pace. The seller points out the the reliable V8 mill is paired to a 727 automatic transmission, and comes equipped with these sweet Mopar Performance aluminum valve covers. The truck also sports a Mopar aluminum high-rise intake manifold and a Holley Growler Double Pumper 4-bbl carburetor. Headers and a custom exhaust system round out the modifications, and with no reserve and a reasonable current bid of $7,500, this Dodge Ramcharger SE listed here on eBay looks like a terrific value at the moment.
The Mock E is no more a Mustang than the soap I used in the shower. As far as a current Bronco going off-road, make reservations with your towing company.
Mach E= MINO- Mustang in Name Only.
Remakes are never as good as the originals.
Unless it’s a continuation like the Jeep, which hasn’t stopped being produced since 1941. OIIIIIIIO
1st big block 400 which is a bored 383 I’ve seen in a Ram charger! Wish I had this cool truck even has A/C !
Smog legal?
Love my ’78 Ramcharger. These are awesome trucks. Great engine choice for a previous owner who swapped its original 318 for the 400 seen here. Other than body/paint/interior restoration, I would only make two changes to this one. Swap axle gears to 3.55 and make sure to add a Sure Grip unit in back if not already present and replace the headers with stock cast iron truck manifolds to lower the under- hood temperature by a couple hundred degrees.
Up until about twenty or thirty years ago we were on a roll. Then the wheels fell off. When this Ramcharger was made you could tell the difference between it and the competition yet laid over each other they were practically the same. Names only matter to old people and those who think they are clever. What’s really important is that the same name on the old car meant something more. It was part of a can-do generation. Vehicles had purpose and presence. Today the marketing types are trying to conquer up the passion of the old car by attaching the name to a characterless vehicle.
BA stole my thunder about the 400 being a bored and stroked 383; that promises that this Ramcharger will be reliable and is amenable to lots of performance upgrades. 135k or not, the price is a bargain; I see these appreciating significantly in value, just like 1978-1996 Broncos.
Well the odometer in this truck is a replacement. The vehicle has more than 135000 miles on it. Look for a sticker on the door post to find out how miles were on it when the original odometer was replaced.
Also, are the pictures of the floor pans screwed in replacement panels?
Sold with a high bid of $7,500.
Steve R