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.
The price looks considerably less affordable when you factor in the quarter million miles on the clock… Hard pass for me, but good luck to anyone “flying in” and driving this truck anywhere without a rollback behind you…
As a general rule these are a very durable vehicle. Mine was not a convertible version but I had a 1990 with the 3.9 V6. It had migrated to Arizona from Michigan and it certainly showed. I bought it at a price accordingly to it’s rusty body and just shy of 300k miles. Much to my pleasant surprise it was still quite capable and could sail down the freeway with the best of them. The longer I owned it the more my confidence level grew. It was still going strong when I sold it 3 years ago and I still see it occasionally. It has close to 350k miles on it now according to the man that bought from me and still going strong. It may look like a truck version of a zombie but it refuses to die. Despite how rust eaten the body is, the frame and important underside components were still very solid. These in general are incredibly solid vehicles. Truthfully the miles on this feature truck would not scare me in the least.
Are we sure about the year? Looks like a ’91 from the front.
I agree. This one is super rare with only 8 made in 1991.
1990 was the last year for that style grille and sheet metal, while there were some Shelby Dakotas with V8 engines one as a factory option didn’t become available until ’91 thus the reason for the longer grille and sheet metal,I tried out a couple of the ’91 models with the 318 and they were fun to drive,I later owned a ’92 and a ’93 but they were the V6 engine.
Same wheels as on my 97 Dakota Sport 4×4.
I noticed that too. They are newer Dakota/ Durango rims. I had a 1999 Dodge durango with similar looking rims
Probably from same lace engine came from
Mission accomplished. Mopar identified a tiny market niche and successfully and efficiently filled the demand in 3 short years. Only 9 built in 1991? Those must have been bespoke, practically built by hand.
Didn’t we see this one a month or so back ?
When my second husband and I and a cat moved to Nederland, Colorado in 1989, I got a job in Boulder at a Chrysler/Dodge dealership. There was just one of these on the lot. Didn’t stay long enough to see if it sold but being a person who loves odd vehicles, I so wanted that truck.
Chevy came out with the retro SSR retractable hardtop pickup. That didn’t sell well either. Why do they design great looking vehicles only to underpowered them?
Would that be Pollard Motors? I grew up in Boulder and worked at Rush Motors down the street at one time. cheers!
@Emmit
To be honest, I can’t remember. My memory for names has always been horrible. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Pollard as that doesn’t sound familiar.
I do remember the owner totalled a brand new 1989 Chrysler with less than 200 miles on it and they had two showrooms. I worked on the Dodge side and they had a 1955 Chrysler on the showroom floor in the other building (if that helps)
What does the truck look like with the top up
Cool concept and application. Would have been nice to have had a V8 but as others have said the six was a good motor.
The 1990 Dodge Dakota has 5 lug nuts.
That is Not a 1990 Dodge Dakota grill.
Not a 1990 Dakota steering wheel.
This is Not a 1990 Dakota !
VERY suspicious.
Testing
Having worked in sales at a family owned C/P/D dealership in Lima, Ohio for almost 40 years, I sold two of these. I remember they were a tough sale, but eventually were sold. As i used to say, we never got stuck with a new vehicle….maybe lost money on a few, but were eventually sold. We also sold a few Dodge D50 pickups( a rebadged Mitsubishi) removable hardtop convertible. They were done by a conversion company out of Elkhart, Indiana., who’s name escape’s me. My owner was always one that liked the different!
Bob,
You deserve a special award for having the tenacity to make it through 40 years of C/P/D sales.
I hired in at ASC as this truck launched. I was told that Chrysler left the convertible Dakota out of the advertising in 1990 and sales then tanked.
There is one up for auction on CoPart. Flooded from Florida…
https://www.copart.com/lot/75638874/salvage-1989-dodge-dakota-sport-fl-ocala