The seller of this rare 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 SS/T – an acronym for Super Sport Truck – has listed it for a very fair price, seemingly concerned that the high mileage requires it to be marketed as a project. Yes, it has seen some use, but the bodywork seems more than fair for a truck with 230,000 miles on the clock. So long as it still runs and drives well enough to make its way onto a trailer, the $4,500 or best offer listing here on eBay seems like an absolute home run for anyone hunting for one of these rare performance models.
The Dodge Ram SS/T was built in homage to the Indianapolis Pace Trucks that led the field in the 1996 running of the storied event. You could begin to see how Chrysler was envisioning its future as a performance-oriented brand, with the pace trucks mimicking the classic blue with white stripes paint job of the Viper GTS coupe. In my opinion, these were the glory days of the Mopar brand in the current era, with fun to drive vehicles dominating the lineup and performance a top priority for company brass. The Ram SS/T came equipped with a 5.9L Magnum V8, distinctive 5-spoke wheels, and a short-bed, single-cab-only configuration.
The seller is right to point out that this truck needs to be sold as-is to the highest bidder, as high mileage on a collector vehicle usually renders it to daily driver or project status fairly quickly. Still, I don’t see any rust underneath or on the body, and since it’s located in Washington State, I doubt you’ll find any, either. The tires appear to have good tread and the listing emphasizes that the truck has been maintained. We don’t get a ton of specifics owing to the listing being created by AI, but it does confirm that the engine and transmission are healthy and the tires are recent replacements.
The interior is also encouraging because despite the number on the odometer, it appears to be in good shape – not exactly easy on these cheap Mopar interiors of the late 90s, and one that sports light colors, in particular. The woodgrain trim around the instrument cluster is a nice touch of luxury in this performance-oriented model, and while some of the trim does look a bit tired, those are all easy replacements. The driver’s rear taillight has a cracked frame and the headlights are cloudy, but overall, I can’t find much to fault for a vehicle with over 200K on the clock. Do you think this SS/T is a bargain performance truck?
Similar to the pace truck the made. Nice looking!!
Which is exactly what the write up here says
Love the blue stripes over the white color. As a continuation of the ’76 Indy truck they offered more colors. I believe we may have had four at our store. The exhaust was a little throaty but not over the radio volume. Cool truck for sure.
Love the SS/T’s and I believe they only came in a few colors and white might be one of the rarest. My wife and I both bought one in 1997. Hers was black and mine was red. I bought mine on a Friday night on the way home from work and she liked it so much we went back the next morning and bought the black one. They are just another in a string of vehicles we’ve owned that I wish I still owned. But everyone has those, I wish I still owned that car stories. Ya’ll have a great day and drive safe.
I own a 1999 with only 52000 original kilometers. It is a fun truck to drive and own. Mine is white with blue stripping.
The price is right the miles could be a concern. Depending on your expectations it might be worth a roll off the dice.
Ive a 2001 1500 SLT with the 5.2/318. Bought it new for $17 000. Just now hitting 100,000 miles. Like me, its got the scars of life.
Had the dash top replaced last year, new rockers just installed. New bed side next year, have basically a new truck again.
I still get good mileage.
My sister looked at a new one. Told me itd be over $60,000. No.
My brother had a 1999 1500, it had over 300,000 when the engine blew. These will last pretty much for life if you do the basic.
My complaints are too much plastic, and all metric bolts and screws.
GIVE THESE KIDS WHO DESIGN THEM THE WRENCHES, AND GET SOME GREASE ON YOUR HANDS AND BUST A COUPLE KNUCKLES. They wouldnt design them like they do now.
A real V8, not some loud crummy turbo deisel that some punk will soon rip the exhaust off, place way too wide tires on, and annoy all around him. I wish the cops still enforced the noise laws like they did when I was young. Of course, even then, I knew enough to invest in a good stock muffler. If I wanted to impress, I made sure my ride looked great. (of course, the handsome man inside that Ford, always adds to the impressiveness as well. The girls always loved my rides. No need to be loud. Also, needs to be quiet inside the car to set the mood for what ever comes later, if you know what I mean.)
For the price and rarity – not the collectability – it might be a good buy the redo that engine and trans to get another 100,000 miles out of it…..pretty much what I did/doing with my Dakota V/8 at 250,000 mile…..that’s bragging rights for a Dodge….
Wish it was closer.
I drove a short bed single cab like this one with the 360. Was green and silver and went like stink.
I went from Wilkesboro to the continental divide averaging over 60 mph. My passenger threw up at the top of the divide.