Vehicle manufacturers will often seek what some may consider the unfair edge, producing a model that stands out from the crowd. Dodge chose that path in 1989, introducing a Convertible version of its Dakota Pickup. Our feature classic emerged during the second production year and is a tidy vehicle with no pressing needs. Potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition with mechanical upgrades that will provide power and performance gains. The seller has listed the Dakota here on Facebook Marketplace in Long Beach, California. They set their price at a very affordable $7,300, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Bruce M for spotting this rare drop-top.

Collaboration between vehicle manufacturers and outside suppliers is nothing new and is the path Dodge chose with the Dakota Convertible. It enlisted the help of the American Sunroof Corporation of Southgate, Michigan, to transform the 1989 Pickup into a drop-top. ASC has a strong history of such undertakings, and eagerly accepted the challenge. The Dakota Convertible proved an immediate success, although sales fell off a cliff during the second year. Dodge persisted for a third year before permanently retiring the concept. This 1990 model is 1-of-909 produced that year, ordered in dazzling Bright White. The overall presentation is tidy and clean, with no significant paint or panel defects. The stripes look crisp, and the roll bar adds to occupant safety. It features a Black soft-top, and while it is in good order, the seller admits it would benefit from a new back window. It appears that the Dakota is a dry-climate classic, and with no visible rust issues, there’s a good chance that it is rock-solid. The trim and glass are excellent, as are the factory alloy wheels.

The seller supplies no engine photos, but there is plenty of information to satisfy our needs. This Dakota would have originally featured a 3.9-liter V6, which sent its 125hp and 235 ft/lbs of torque to the road via an automatic transmission. Power steering and front disc brakes were standard equipment, and overall performance was considered fairly acceptable for the time. However, a few significant changes to this Dodge will improve the story and will suit those who find the original drivetrain specifications less than ideal. The Convertible received an engine and transmission transplant, with the parts sourced from a 1996 Dakota. The engine remains a 3.9-liter unit, but with 175hp and 225 ft/lbs of torque, and a four-speed auto, this classic should provide better performance and improved fuel consumption figures. The seller quotes an odometer reading of 234,000 miles, but many will debate the relevance of that figure following the drivetrain upgrades. They recently refreshed the brakes and replaced the cooling system hoses, saying that the Dakota runs and drives perfectly. That makes the idea of flying out for a Californian vacation before driving home in this Dodge sound pretty attractive.

I wouldn’t classify this Dakota’s interior as pristine, but none of its shortcomings require immediate attention. There is a gaping hole in the dash where the radio once lived, a couple of missing minor trim items, and scratches on the faux brushed metal trim. The carpet has a couple of dirty marks, and the driver’s armrest is dirty and warped. However, the Gray cloth trim looks nice, the dash hasn’t succumbed to the California sun, and there is no wheel wear. The seller admits that one power window is slow, but it appears that everything works as it should. I am unsure whether this Dodge features air conditioning, but it does appear to feature power locks and cruise control.

Dodge must have felt that it had a winner on its hands in 1989, with 2,842 buyers handing over their cash to drive away in a Dakota Convertible. However, that proved the high water mark, because sales plummeted to 909 vehicles in 1990. With sales failing to reach double digits in 1991, the plug was pulled on the daring project. This 1990 Dakota Convertible presents well, and addressing its shortcomings should be neither difficult nor expensive. It won’t appeal to everyone, but it is undeniably affordable. If you are seeking a classic that is a cut above the rest, this Dakota might be worth pursuing further.