Introducing the newest member of smokestack racing team....

[Prince Valiant]

...ME!!!

Brought home my new-to-me 1979 Dodge Lil' Red Express truck (pictures from previous owner...too dark when I got it home):

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l345/redx79/Lil%20Red%20Express/100_2144.jpg

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l345/redx79/Lil%20Red%20Express/100_2149.jpg

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l345/redx79/Lil%20Red%20Express/100_2143.jpg

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l345/redx79/Lil%20Red%20Express/100_2179.jpg

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l345/redx79/Lil%20Red%20Express/100_2173.jpg

Short version of the LRT story:

Back in the 70's muscle cars were emasculated by emission equipment...not many cars featured more than 200hp. So to get around the emission requirements, Dodge took the lightest configuration of their D-series pick-up (reg cab, step-side) that weighed a little more than 3800lbs (!!!), and took their police engine sans emission equipment netting them 225hp, 727 auto, 3.55:1 sure-grip 9 1/4 rear, and add a little for appearance that was the style for the time (wood trim, smoke stacks, wide tires, etc), and the muscle truck was born. The net result, was the " quickest american production vehicle made in 1978"....according to C&D. With 1/4 mile times in the high 14's stock, it represented a return to performance that many of the old nameplates had lost in the name of emissions.

Prototypes of the LRT were considerably quicker, using the recently developed for NHRA W2 heads and a bigger cam, they ran mid 13's @ ~ 100 mph.

Some would say it's the first "muscle truck" too...although others would point out that the 64 dodge Custom Sport Special w/ it's 365hp 426 Wedge (not hemi) was the first...though that was also available with the 225 /6, 318 A block, 361 B, 383, etc...so it wasn't a purpose built as a performance truck.

Drove the truck back from IN, and was pretty happy with it. Decent mileage (~16-17mpg), nice ride...though it was a little loud. There are still some things to chase down on this thing, and I'm not planning on leaving well enough alone either. I do plan on taking it to the track in the next week or two to get some baseline times, after I look into a couple things...

but so far, so good :thumbsup

[-stew-]

Awesome!!! I had a 1979 Power Wagon. Loved it! I hated the stacked headlights at first, but grew to love it. You need a birdbath!!!

[PureSound15]

I love "different" stuff like this - I caught wind via your facebook status a while back, but I've gotta admit I didn't know too much abut them before reading your description.

[Russ Jerome]

Cool truck. I've driven and ridden in a couple basicaly stock Express trucks, definately move nicely!

* call me if you go to the track, the Lincoln and a bud's Supercharged Bonnie need baselines, we will all be within tenths*

[-stew-]

I just noticed this truck has cruise, nice! My PW had AC, tilt, factory slider and factory sunroof.

[Prince Valiant]

I just noticed this truck has cruise, nice!
One of the things I need to fix :goof

[SSDude]

Nice truck:thumbsup

[70challenger452]

I am so jealous, those trucks are so cool

[michelle]

Awesome! Is there wood on the inside of the truck bed?

[johnny--2k]

Thats awesome!!!

[URLOZIN]

sweet truck! looks really clean!

[Yeehaw]

dude you got it!? im soo droolin

[Dr.Buick]

Congrats looks nice, glad deal went threw :banana1:

[jbiscuit]

wow! Awesome score! You are building quite the stable there! The Coronet on the back burner now?

[Moparjim]

I think he traded the Coronet for this or to get this?

[JaMichaels]

<---jealous Very unique truck!

[That_Guy]

I'VE SEEN THIS TRUCK A BUNCH OF TIMES!!!!!! i'm in love with it. nice buy

there is a guy in hartford who has one.. sweet!

[Yooformula]

congrats on the "LRT" purchase!

[84hurst]

Welcome aboard the sport truck wagon! Its a fun ride! Even if you can only fit one other person in the cab! Btw, nice truck! I've always liked/wanted one of those!

[tbirddriver92]

Very nice truck, I'm jealous:shades

[Prince Valiant]

Thanks for the kind words guys and gals...it's far from perfect to be sure, but it does have a presence.


Awesome! Is there wood on the inside of the truck bed?
Yep...it's in pretty good shape too.

here's a pic:

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l345/redx79/Lil%20Red%20Express/100_2462.jpg


wow! Awesome score! You are building quite the stable there! The Coronet on the back burner now?

Naw...don't have the space. In the end, I really enjoyed the coronet, but didn't get to use it the way that I wanted...going on long cruises, road trips, etc. So I figured i'd go out and see what deals I could get...got some interest in cash purchases, but most were looking for 8K cars...had one who wanted to buy it at my price, but he found a deal on a duster 340.

I had two deals going...even swap for this, or a trade+cash for a Demon 340 that was pristine. When I went to look at the LRT, I thought it needed a little much to make an even steven trade...so I kind of put the deal off.

The guy w/ the demon wanted a little more cash in a trade, so he was looking for cheaper cars than mine, like in the 6K range. I made him a good offer, he said no...made him a great offer, and he still needed a bit more cash, so...

...in the meantime, the LRT owner called back, we hashed out some details of what I wanted to make the swap. He agreed, and the deal was made.

I DID nearly buy another truck outright while the coronet was in my possession...it was a '77 Dodge Warlock (precursor and contemporary to the LRT, it lacked the smokestacks, and had wider engine availability) , w/ a rebuilt 440 v8. It was in perfect condition, at a very reasonable price...but it sold before I got the call in.

In the end, very happy with the deal...it has enough for me to work on the keep it interesting, but not too much to dishearten. It cracks me up though...Meg kinda liked the coronet...but she LOVES the LRT.

Oh, and a side benefit is that it's equipped with a class IV hitch and trailer brakes :rolf

[lordairgtar]

Now you need a Warlock to add to the set.

[-stew-]

^^^ and or a Macho Power Wagon!

Prince, blow some minds: post up a pic of the glovebox open!

[GTSLOW]

Nice lookin truck. My grandpas friend had two of them and a Warlock back in the day. He moved to AZ so I dunno if he has them anymore?

[UnderPSI]

That would look cool with a 6" drop in the front and a 8" in the back.

[b4mytm]

Very cool truck..Congrats Chris!

[xxsn0blindxx]

Nice find, I remember seeing those at Iola when I was a kid and thinking they were the coolest truck ever.

[JC70SS]

You traded the Cornet for the truck??:chair::chair::punch:

[WhatsADSM]

sweeeet. Congrats on the new pickup!

[Waver]

That is an awesome truck, and I am glad you brought up the Warlock, because I was going to ask what the difference was other than the stacks......

[Cryptic]

I think there's a couple of these in the area. I seen them lined up at GLD at couple years ago.

[Yeehaw]

needs more cummins