Working Survivor, what does that mean, SG? I’m glad you asked. The seller of this sweet Sweptline survivor 1966 Dodge D200 (3/4-ton) pickup says they use it every day in their landscape business. So, while it’s a survivor, it’s still put to work every day as trucks were meant to do. They have it posted here on craigslist in Sequim, Washington, and they’re asking $6,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Curvette for the tip!
What a good-looking truck, as honest as the typical politician, and… er.. No, just kidding, this beauty is much more honest than that. I think the condition of this 3/4-ton D200 is about as perfect as it gets for an old pickup: not too nice so you’re afraid to use it, as the seller does every day, and not a beat-up, well, beater. I believe this is Toreador Red, and I always thought the straight trim at the end of the beautiful Sweptline bed was unusual. I’m not sure why that doesn’t sweep down at the end to follow the lines of the bed? Design 101: D- for Dodge in that regard, otherwise, A+.
A+++ on the scared-eye headlights on the second-generation D-series pickups. That’s my favorite, and some folks don’t like that look at all. Then again, some people love watching fake reality shows like the Kardashians and those “bachelor”-type shows. It’s a big world, we can either love or hate big, weird headlights and still be friends. There are a few dings and some possible rust lurking, and the missing rear bumper isn’t mentioned in the listing.
The second-generation D-series Dodge pickups were made from 1965 through 1971, and this seat looks much nicer than anything I would have imagined that Dodge offered, and nicer and cleaner than any landscape truck I’ve ever seen! But wait, Dodge did offer a very similar seat in both pattern and fabric to this one in their optional Comfort Package, as seen on page 5 of this brochure. The 4-speed synchro-shift, extra-heavy-duty transmission was optional as well.
The radiator is new, of course, and I love seeing optional power brakes, but I’d rather have the optional power steering. Speaking of options, the engine is an option, Dodge’s 318-cu.in. OHV V8 with 200 horsepower, and this one has a new “wiring harness, tires, disc front brakes, electronic ignition, seat cushion and stock fabric, list goes on.” They also mention a new water pump and tune-up. Hagerty is at $13,200 for a #3 good-condition truck, so this one at $6,500 is a steal. Any thoughts on this working survivor D200?
Just love these “pie plate headlight” Dodges. As I’ve mentioned, Dodges were rarely seen in the city. It’s as if there was the Ford/GM, camp, and then Dodge/ IH/ Studebaker. We all know who won out there. The “synchro-shift” is a bit misleading, it was the compound low( aka granny gear) transmission, with 2, 3,and 4 synchro. It has the classic, “can’t find ’em, grind ’em” shift lever, and has an aluminum radiator. No seat belts, that dash looks mighty hard,,,but a really nice truck,,nothing more.
Good trucks for sure. That Poly-head 318 would run forever it seemed. This version of engine was considerably heavier than the next generation. I sometimes wonder if the newer one was actually better. I know that the newer engines I played with had some problems with the rocker arms and shafts.
My co-worker got a near twin to this one. It was given to him just for removing it from a lady’s backyard. Turned out that the engine was seized. It was only one or two cylinders. I wasn’t concerned because I’ve brought some engines back from the scrap heap and they ran just fine, albeit using a bit of oil.
They were a good truck overall. You couldn’t work them to death…
I see that the comfort package and the brochure shows the armrest as well. Nice seat.
Great looking old truck, just add driver!
curious, and correction eagerly accepted. Is the 4-speed actually a 3-speed with an ultra low granny 1st? (you would start in 2nd, which would equate to a regular 1st if the tranny were the standard 3 speed.
Hi ron, yes, that’s it. 1st was an unsynchronized extra low,( compound low) and was generally unused. Unless the driver was playing “Billy Bigrigger”( use them all), for most it was merely a 3 speed.
Yep. Put it in low gear hop out and saunter around the truck. Hop back in and shift into second. We did that with my grandpas D100 putting up hay bales
In my book, these were always 4 speeds and like all truck 4 speeds at the time, 1st was a granny gear, so you almost always started in 2nd. It was still a 4 speed though and I love shifting them. The (slow) driving experience is totally entertaining. Having the power brakes just makes it that much more usable in modern traffic. $6500 is such a good price it makes me think this add might not be real.
Thanks ron and Howard. I was going by the brochure, which lists it as a “4-Speed” on page 9.
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1966-Dodge-Pickups.pdf
It’s an NP435, and it was optional over the column-mounted 3-speed (A745, made by New Process).
Actually one of the better deals I’ve seen here in the last few years on Barnfinds. Most prices on here are outrageous.
Quite honestly, growing up I remember seeing all the manufacturers as a kid. We had a number of Dodge dealers in the area. Along with a good number of Ford dealers, and of course Chevy. If you wanted a GMC, we had that too. Internationals were around quite a bit too but I dont remember where a dealer was. I guess I should consider myself quite fortunate in that regard. As for this Dodge ( sorry for the ginormous sideline folks) I really like it, looks solid. Like Howard said about the Pie Plate headlights, and look at that side profile, these are handsome trucks. This one looks solid. I like that seat too, looks sharp.
Haul around whatever ya need 👍
solid survivor and @ a good price. you won’t see 1 of these at your local cruise. at that price it should see rather quick i would think.
Thanks, Howard, for clarifying the low first gear transmission. From what I can tell the compound low was helpful when launching a heavy load on a grade or when off road. These were before 4wd was common and when combined with Sure-Grip gave you an advantage in work environments. This is nothing you don’t already know.
Man, those headlamp bezels. Sure, there was a lot of surface to fill when they lost the quad lights, but you gotta ask, what were the designs that lost out.
This would be another great chore vehicle. I also wouldn’t mind parking it at the dealership. Would draw more attention than anything else on the lot.
Actually, there’s a tad bit more. While being a 4 speed, for most purposes, a 3 speed, it was better than a column 3 speed, that generally 1st was not synchronized. 1st here was for pulling something heavy, but not recommended shifting from 1st to 2nd. As Geo will admit, these were a noisy box.
Correct. First was for low speed operation or launching a maximum load. Few daily applications utilize this need.
When we tested the shift mechanism for the GMT-400, the trucks were a 2wd GMC 2500 6.2 diesel and 2wd 3500 dually 454 with 3.42 axle. Each was ballasted to 90% of gvw. Test required the vehicle be launched in 1st at 1000 rpm and accelerated at part throttle to 4000 then shifted to 2nd as aggressively as possible without power shifting applying full throttle to 4000 for the next upshift, then again to 4th at which you accelerated to 2500 rpm and coasted to 2500 then downshifting to the next lower gear until you reached 2nd. Drive on the return loop to the start point and repeat a total of six times in each direction. The straight portions were about a mile and a quarter. There were 7.2% and 11.6% test hills to load the driveline as well. The diesel was shifted IIRC at 3300 rpm just before the fuel shutoff. Not everyone enjoyed this test.
Of course it is located in Washington State. I have lost track of how many desirable well preserved vehicles are available in the Pacific Northwest. Left to my own devices I believe I’d move there and spend my golden years buying neat vehicles like this and slowly go broke. GLWTS although I don’t see this truck being available for sale very long.