1979 Dodge Other

Lil Red Express stepside

360

Automatic

D13JS9S834120

Clear

Gasoline

Up for auction is possibly the rarest Lil red express truck known to exist. This truck is the only one of its kind known to exist. I purchased this truck about nine years ago with plans to restore it. Other priorities have come first and it is time to let it go to someone who will give the truck the attention that it deserves. The truck has been stored indoors as long as I have owned it. This truck is a forgotten part of Dodge history. The Lil red Express trucks were only produced in 1978 and 1979. For 1980 Dodge was going to offer the trucks in other colors and a few were built and sent to magazines for the new model preview. The 1980 trucks were going to wear door decals that read "Little Express Truck" instead of "Lil Red Express Truck". This auction will include a Oct. 1979 issue of Petersen's Vans and Pickups magazine that has the 1980 new truck preview and shows pictures of the trucks with the decals clearly shown. For unknown reasons Dodge dropped the program and the express trucks were never offered for 1980. It is not clear how this truck made it out of Detroit, or if the truck is the test truck shown in the magazine. I have talked to three of the previous owners, including the one who had the truck repainted and he confirmed that the truck had the Little Express Truck decals before the truck was repainted. Unfortunately the owner didn't take pictures before the repaint. The color on the truck now is close to the orignal PX8 black sunfire metalic (dark blue) paint. The truck was only given a quick scuff and repaint. Some of the newer paint is peeling off allowing the original paint to show thru. The original paint may be visable in some of the pictures. The original paint is also visable under the tire info decal and on the firewall. All of the serial number and cowl tag info has been decoded by the president of the lil red owners association. The auction will include the documents confirming this as a S-code little express truck with PX8 blue paint and also the other info about the truck including his belief that this truck was prepared for the show circuit and photo opps. This truck was also featured in the April 2008 Mopar Muscle magazines "rare finds" section. A copy of the magazine will also be included in the auction. Also included is a Dec. 08 copy of Mopar Muscle magazine with another picture from an 1980 truck preview that shows a picture of a Little Express truck. The truck still has the original 360 4bbl engine with stock chrome valve covers and dual inlet air cleaner with chrome lid. I believe that the carb may have been changed. The truck also has all the other express truck only parts. The truck still has the original Chrome side steps, exhaust stack mounting brackets (stacks had been replaced), 5 factory 15x8 chrome wheels, 2nd gen tuff wheel, mirrors, and dual catalytic converter heat shields mounted behind the rocker panels that can be seen in the pictures. The interior is a bench seat and the steering wheel is missing its horn cap. The radio is an aftermarket unit. The truck also has air conditioning and a cargo lamp. The tire info sticker in the door jamb lists the tires as the correct LR-60x15 B-OWL and the wheels as 15x8. The other mystery about the truck is the build date. The tire info sticker lists the build date as 05/79, but the metal vin tag on the door pillar lists the build date as 07/17/79. If this truck was in the press fleet for 2 months that may explain the difference in build dates. obviously the truck needs a total restoration and is missing a few small parts. The truck ran and drove 6 months ago but now will only run on starting fluid. I think that the fuel pump has dried up from sitting. If you are a collector who is into owning "one of one" vehicles, or a Lil Red Express collector, dont miss out on this truck. This may be your only chance at owning a piece of Dodge truck history. It is hard to say what the truck would be worth when restored because there are no comparables to use as a guide. I can help loading the truck, and I can store it indoors up to 30 days. If you have any questions you can reach me @ 260-602-5613. just don't ask what the reserve is or waste my time if you are not serious. A non-refundable deposit of $500.00 will need to be made by paypal within 48 hours of auction end. The remainder of the balance will need to be paid in cash or all checks or money orders will need to be cleared by my bank before the truck or title will be released.