SOLD! 1979 Dodge Lil Red Express Barn Find

UPDATE 2/18/2020 – We just heard from Robert and this Lil Red Express has officially sold to a Barn Finds Reader! Congrats to both parties.

From The Seller: This truck is a true barn find. My brother-in-law passed away a few years ago and before he did, he put the truck up on jack stands and covered it in the barn, My Sister now owns it and wants to sell it and the title is in her name. They are the second owners. My brother-in-law showed this truck many times and took great care and pride in it. It comes with a Lil Red Express Trailer. My brother-in-law painted the body twice and overhauled the engine and transmission twice. The truck is being sold as-is due to the time that it has sat.

We are sorry to hear about your family’s loss and really hope we can find a good home for this sweet pickup and its matching trailer. Please use the form below to contact Robert if you have any questions or would like to purchase the truck.

  • Asking Price: $12,500
  • Location: Anderson, Missouri
  • Mileage: About 200,000
  • Title Status: Clean
  • VIN: DRXMVB000259380MO

Contact The Seller

List your car here on Barn Finds for only $50!

Comments

  1. Avatar Mel

    I think it would have helped the presentation if the cover was completely removed. You see it a lot on Craig’s List. Not sure why sellers don’t take that step.

    Like 10
  2. Avatar Classic Steel

    If one lives near there it could be a good deal if the widow story is true …

    Like 3
  3. Avatar Rosco

    Sunroof could have something to do with the price. Maybe some other issues not shown in the photos like rust. Have to agree with the comment about removing the cover. Why just take it off part of the truck?

    Like 4
  4. Avatar Troy s

    Not being morbid or anything but there’s a ’65 GTO posted with a similar story from the seller, similar photography skills too.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Michael

    Had a 78 like this with a rare 360 in it and the stacks worked. Truck had a awesome sound to it. 79 the stacks weren’t functional. Problem with these were rust, and lots of it. The one I bought had 20 grand on odometer. One day came out to go to work. Noticed something hanging under the front end. A look closer the tie rod end had just rusted away. Had it towed to a Speed Shop for repares. The mechanic that fixed it said many suspension parts were rusty. Said he had fixed a few like this and they had the same issues. Rusty parts. OH, and he was a Mopar guy too. Told me my tie rod, away bar, front and rear springs as well as differenchel were very rusty. I sold the truck. A year later the Speed Shop called asked me to stop by. Up on the lift was another 78 Lil Red with the exact rust issues. That truck had under 60 grand on the odometer.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Mike

      79 stacks were completely functional.

      Like 7
  6. Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

    Looks like a pretty clean pickup and with the cute matching trailer, it’s probably priced about right. Might be able to get it a little cheaper with a decent offer Too bad the stacks aren’t functional, I’d definitely look into getting a working system going. Check for rusty bits and make sure previous body repairs were properly done.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar OIL SLICK

    Can’t really make out if the ac compressor is still there. Does the A/C work?

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Dave

    why would he have overhauled the engine and trans twice?need more details on that

    Like 3
  9. Avatar Bob McK

    Even with 200K miles and two rebuilds, I would love to bring this home. The price is about right.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar CCFisher

    Isn’t it officially “Li’l Red Truck”?

    Like 1
    • Avatar RH

      Pretty sure it’s just as shown on door decals. Li’l Red Express Truck.

      Like 2
      • Avatar CCFisher

        Check the tailgate.

        Like 0
    • Avatar Marty

      I own a ‘79 & the stacks are entirely functional. I am unsure where you got your info but it seems to be wrong. My rust issues aren’t nearly as dire as yours appear to be. And I live on the Maine coast.

      Like 7
    • Avatar Mike

      CCFisher, that picture is of the trailer tailgate (custom decal). They had Express on the doors and truck on the tailgate which isn’t shown in the pictures.

      Like 0
  11. Avatar Terry

    Stacks appear functional.

    Like 2
  12. Avatar Eric

    Nice touch with trailer. I wonder if it was salvaged from another red express or it’s all custom work to match the truck?

    Are the 80’s/90’s pin ups with blown out hair included? Pic #15 with one of those girls would actually make a great calendar pic, but it looks great as it is with the dogs. Someone’s going to get a nice truck

    Like 0
  13. Avatar jerry z

    For a 200K truck it’s sure does look in pretty good condition. The sunroof deal was a 70’s thing so seeing it on the truck is not surprising. If not for so many cars in my driveway, this would be in it!

    Like 2
  14. Avatar Jeff

    If the two cute as heck Dawgs are included in the deal, I would buy it in a heartbeat!

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Mel

    Did the new owner drive off with the car cover still on?

    Like 1
  16. Avatar Brian Scott

    Looks to be a pretty solid foundation for resurrection. And man, back in the early ’80s I installed those sunroofs in my driveway. As an entrepreneurial 16 year-old, feathered-hair kid with zits, a mere classified ad in the local fishwrap was all it took for me to be in business. Most of ’em went pretty well, however I do remember one time on a sweltering high-humidity Minnesota day, sliding right off the roof while the jigsaw was running untended. Thankfully the rube wasn’t there to see it, and I was able to fudge the results sufficiently so he didn’t kill me. That was the end of me being Chip Foose before Chip Foose was Chip Foose. Fun times!

    Like 3

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