Wow – what an awesome rig. The seller claims this rarely-seen 1977 Plymouth Trailduster is the only one ever modified by Hickey Enterprises as part of their agreement with Chrysler to build the Top Hand editions when ordered by a customer. You could specify the Top Hand trim on any number of models, but apparently there was just one taker for the Trailduster, which is understandable with the more popular Charger twin on the Dodge lot. Regardless, this one has survived in incredible condition with all of the Top Hand add-ons intact, and it’s listed here on eBay with bidding over $12K and the reserve unmet.
The Top Hands came with an impressive list of tweaks, all of it designed to give Chrysler vehicles some serious attitude, and in cases like the Trail Duster, so additional off-road capabilities. Well, perhaps capabilities is a strong word, but I’m guessing that brush guard could push past low-hanging brush with ease. Obviously, Top Hands got the in-your-face graphics it, which this Plymouth amazingly retains in near-perfect condition. Of course, given it was featured in the January 1978 issue of Off Road magazine, previous owners likely knew they had something worth preserving.
Top Hands also received wheels painted to match the body color; chrome tow hooks; two off-road lamps, usually courtesy of Marchal and mounted on the brush guard; Top Hand logos; three spoke leather wrapped steering wheel; a roof rack painted to match; and tie downs. This example also has an absolutely pristine interior, with bucket seats showing next to no wear and carpets, dash, and door panels that are in the same ballpark of condition. It’s clear this Trail Duster belonged to caretakers who knew how special it was, and why it was important to keep one of the rarest models in mint condition.
Power is courtesy of a 440 V8 that is numbers matching and paired to an automatic transmission. The seller says it runs and drives well and that the mileage of 67K is believed to be accurate. Certainly, the clean condition would seemingly support such a low odometer reading. Overall, 202 Top Hands were ordered and produced, and with this one being the only Trail Duster, it’s rare beyond rare. A “recent major service” will hopefully keep maintenance issues pretty minor for the time being, but this rig is so rare and tidy that I’d have a hard time venturing out in public with it for fear of incurring a door ding or worse.
Wow. This thing is so cool. I have never seen one or even heard of it. A steal for the price.
I had a 1977 Ramcharger, yellow, blacked out grill and bumpers and trim, with a Super Bee accent stripe on the rear quarters and top. It had a built 360 and would go anywhere and got 8-10 mpg. Dodge came out with the Rumble Bee version about 5 years later. I drove that truck year round with the roof off, people thought I was out of my mind.
But this 440 got 7-11 mpbg or miles per big Gulp
So it is Trail Duster not Trailduster. There was more than one Trail Duster Top Hand. I have one sitting in my driveway and have seen several other online.
This was the prototype built by Hickey and is supposedly the only one actually built by the Hickey Enterprises. All the rest were packages where the customer ordered through the dealer and the dealer installed the Top Hand package options. The Top Hand could be had on the Trail Duster, Pickup and Ramcharger. I have seen figures that maybe 300 Top Hand packages were sold. That’s 300 total, not 300 for each of the models it could come on. However, I have not seen a firm number. From what I have seen online, there’s between 8 and 12 left in existence. I don’t think there is any kind of a registry, so who knows how many are really left, but it’s not many.
These also came with the famous Hickey”sidewinder” winch. Pretty neat to see the condition this is in. It certainly has survived quite nicely!
Listed for $59k and change a few days ago per an article on Hemmings so I’m guessing RNM on eBay at the end of the auction.
I saw on E-BAY where it was AT $18,299 So far. First one I have seen. If it came in behind me. I,d think it was a cop. haha Only thing I did not like about the Dodge was the complet tailgate, Not like the tailgate on the Ford Bronco and Chevrolet Blazer. Other then that. I like it. Very nice rig. My cousin,s son has one. He took it muddin about 4 years ago. All he done to it was take the top off and put some big mud tires on it. It came in first place. It has a 318 with a automatic transmission,
$59,5 Ask on their website. GLWT
Reported sold at R&S in January for $46,200
https://russoandsteele.com/vehicle-details/
I kind of feel just a little bit sorry for the flipper. Too bad they didn’t have a crystal ball! There is no way this thing is going to see break even numbers for a very long time, if ever again.
Darn Flippers!
Looks straight out of the late seventies, and it is.
Looks to have an aluminum intake manifold as well, which is fine….anything to help out the 440.
I can’t help but think that I saw this before in probably the very magazine it was featured in. You’d never forget a sight like that. The dealer has several of these top hand editions, and the step side Dodge actually looks better than this, at least for me.
Reported sold at Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale auction this past January for $46k all-in.
https://russoandsteele.com/vehicle-details/
Is the circus in town?
Was a NO SALE at January 2020 Russo Steele Auction in Scottsdale.
@bull was reported sold on-site at $42k hammer (46.2k all-in). You can find this result in the Hagerty Insider App as well as Hammerprice. I was on-site and watched the gavel fall as well. Now, wether or not the sale actually took place is something I can’t comment on but it was indeed announced sold on the block. I’d attach a screen shot but we can’t do that here.
Just because something is rare doesn’t make it valuable. I like the Trail Duster especially with the Vic Hickey provenance but at possibly $50K+ large, Don’t see it selling anytime soon.
It is actually a Ramcharger with Trail Duster emblems. Still has Ramcharger emblem on dash, and VIN identifies it as Dodge, not Plymouth. There is one digit that is different between a Ramcharger and Trail Duster, as well as Plymouth appearing on data tag where Dodge is normally present. Beautiful truck, though. Will make someone very happy.
There is a digit missing from the VIN. Should be 6 digits after the “S”.
They also have a Dodge Power Wagon Prototype Top Hand for sale at the same time.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Dodge-Power-Wagon-Top-Hand-Prototype/114159635538?hash=item1a9471cc52:g:hN8AAOSwP2ZefGC4