1978 Dodge Li’l Lil Red Express Pickup Truck & 360 Engine Sound on My Car Story with Lou Costabile
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ก.พ. 2020
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On "My Car Story" we're at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis WI on 2-20-20 at the World of Wheels car show.
We're looking at a 1978 Dodge Li’l Red Express Pickup Truck in Red Paint. The truck is equipped with a 360 CI V8 engine.
The car's Owner is Kyle Bingen. Kyle’s had this truck since 1993. Kyle shares his Friend was going to sell the truck to the salvage yard, however he purchased the truck and finished the restoration 25 years later in 2018.
If you’re interested in attending a World Of Wheels Car Show, here is the link to see the dates and show schedule autorama.com
ENJOY! - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
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Lou, I worked with someone back in 1984 who drove one of these. They were a novelty at the time but we had no idea how prized they would become.
Hi Right Lane Hog, Happy to read this truck brings back memories of the person you worked with who had one in 1984 :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Right Lane Hog my dad had one in high school and a 70 challenger. My uncle had a 64 mustang.... they sold all of them. Only if they knew how valuable they would become.
@@brytodunsm5713 I am sure you realize that if everyone had taken good care of them and hung on to them they would not be particularly rare or valuable today ;)
Trucks cars semi trucks and maybe a nice boat would be cool to watch. Thanks for sharing
Don't forget trains. :)
Hi Big Charlie's Model Garage, Happy to read this is cool to watch :-) You're welcome, Lou
I was 12 years old, when these trucks hit the streets. Enough said. This truck brings back so many memories of the crap cars produced in that era and then seeing this roll down the road was jaw dropping. My boring "Buick" Dad bought a Chevy, Scottsdale, Brick of a truck, the year before. No matter how much me and my brother whined about that boring truck in the driveway, he did his Dad thing and ignored us. The Lil Red truck was the coolest thing on the road, for a truck, and was probably the last car Chrysler was way ahead of the competition. My brother in-law spent a small fortune fixing up an old 63 Chevy pickup (327/turbo350 trans, paint with four layers of clear coat, brakes, headers and so on) to build something close to the what Dodge produced a few years later. He wanted one!!!! But he sunk all his blood sweat and tears into what he just built. There were so many people hot rodding trucks and if you wanted a car without all the pollution controls on it, after 1972, you bought a truck. That's why that truck, stock off the floor, could waste most cars 0-60. My Dad's 77 Truck smoked my Mom's 77 Buick Skylark. Believe me, we raced them when my parents were out on the town, one Friday night. BTW, I believe that sun roof is factory. I remember looking at one of these trucks in a Safeway parking lot and I remember seeing a "Moon Roof" and definitely remember the wood bed. When the owner came out, he was nice enough to talk to me about his truck and he bought it for what was under the hood. Truly a sad era of US automotive when trucks were faster than cars. So, glad you brought this to us. But the best part of your videos are when you bring us an owner who didn't buy a rig finished and shove it in a garage..... It's guys like this owner. A labor of love. Very cool.
Happy to read this truck brings back memories :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing.
Lou, How are you? I graduated in 1978. Alot of my High school buddies drove pickup's not cars. But I remember a kid got one of these for Graduation. He told me it was really fast for a Pick-up. He also said it was the fastest production vehicle of that year. Beating out The Mustang's,Camero and the Corvette that year. I believe the Corvette was only 185 hp. They had a Pickup in Black called the Midnight Express or Warlock in Short bed step side. It took a while for Horse Power to make a come back. It was a shame. That the Muscle car era came to a close. We were dying for horse power in the late 70's. So we built are own engines and car's to make up for it. But we were still gear heads and still are at 60 years old. Thanks for your great video's. Lou! Shawn.
Hi Shawn, When I'm around cars, I'm great :-) Happy to read this car brings back memories of the kid in your High School who received one for graduation :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Lou of all the cool cars you've featured you finally hit my weak spot. I absolutely love these trucks and wish I had gotten one in 78 instead of a new magnum. Kyle is my hero for saving this gorgeous example of Dodge muscle
Hi FUBAR Model Yard
, Happy to read you enjoy this truck :-) Me too, Lou
Definitely one of my favorite trucks right next to the 1998 Chevrolet Silverado
NICE!
Nice dodge!!! They should bring it back BUT in a hellcat version!!!!!
Great idea !
Last year Dodge built a rebel trx hellcat powered show truck
They should use the Warlock name for that one
Gotta 💘 all the pinstriping and decals on these too!!
Seems well done & right on this truck.
There was one of these in town when I was a kid and I loved spotting it. Semi trucks and CB culture were all the rage at the time, with Smokey and the Bandit and all the trucker TV shows that came out at the time. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it had the 360 with the heads from the old 340, so it had some power. Kudos to Kyle for restoring this unique piece of "pick-em-up" history!
Hi Bongo Dave, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the one in your town when you were a kid :-) Not sure exactly what heads were on this pickup, and hoping a Viewer can answer your question. Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
The 1978 LRE 360 had the camshaft from a 1968 340 and was catalytic converter exempt therefore the 78 performed better than the 79.
@@glenanhorn3671 The camshaft! Okay, got it.
Great looking Lil' Red Express Kyle and Lou. I remember when they came out and how excited I got when I saw one 😊
Hi David Kastin, Happy to read this truck brings back memories :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Lou just a awesome find this guy has. I remember these back in the day as I was so intrigued by them. He has a real automotive time piece here. These were the prettiest of the three different trucks. The Midnight Express was black and the Warlock was green. I love this one the best. The restoration on this unit is just out of this world. Such a great find he has and a great unit for us to see. Just gorgeous it is and thanks for sharing Lou!!
Hi Steve Flad, Happy to read this truck brings back memories :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou
In 78 the Warlock only came in black, but other years there were choices.
Lou, Tom Hoover, Father of the Hemi, was on design team for X Press project. That dual snorkle air cleaner, and hoses, were originally planned connected to opened turn signal ports. Lack of cat and those vertical stacks gave these power to be fastest in 78.
Hi William, Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I think the stacks made the look of this pickup, Lou
Now that’s not an easy Truck to Restore, never the less to find any parts for it..... BEAUTIFUL TRUCK!!!!
Happy to read you appreciate this build :-)
I have always wanted one of those! Beautiful job that he did.
It's a cool truck :-)
I love pickups. I drive a '95 T100 and learned on my grandpa's '64 Dodge pickup. More trucks, please.
Hi Rudolph Guarnacci
, Happy to read you enjoy this truck :-) On "My Car Story" there will not be lots of trucks, however when I see one I think you'll enjoy, you'll see it too, Lou
Your T100 will be collector's item some day too.
@@rightlanehog3151
Thanks, Right Lane. I've told you before that I think you have a great handle. I finally found the right mechanic to fix the front differential (just a few leaks). Found a great transmission place that put in a new clutch after 219,000 miles on the original, all City driving. Looking forward to the next 25 years of driving it.
@@loucostabile
Would you consider a second channel? "My Truck Story"
@@rudolphguarnacci197 Thanks, I missed this comment when you posted it and I am glad somebody gets it. I think your T-100 was made by Hino which is really just a division of Toyota.
1978 lil red express is a pickup I love
Hi Luigi, Happy to read you "love" this pickup :-) Here is one more I think you'll enjoy too, Lou th-cam.com/video/8kfwTnV9UUY/w-d-xo.html
Lou if I remember, you are correct. The Warlock was a black Dodge special trim pick up. Midnight Express was a GM offering. Again, if I recall correctly.
Hi jcnme27, I think you're right. Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Lou
The midnight express was a black version of this truck. Warlocks could have any engine and different colors with gold wheels and wood stakes on the bed. GM never made a truck this cool
FUBAR Model Yard thanks, I forgot all of that, Dodge should revisit Express LIL....
Just Google Dodge Midnight Express, it was a Warlock with Li’l Red Express parts installed at dealerships.
The Dodge Little Red Express I remember this all too well. My uncle had one. And it was beautiful.
Happy to read this truck brings back memories of your Uncles truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing.
This truck was the fastest production truck in 1978 according to the magazines back then. Up until this truck was available, the Chevy El Camino won the award throughout the seventies. But when this truck officially beat the El Camino the Chevy people complained and complained that Dodge cheated because they used the 340 HP cam in this 360 engine, but "hello", that was a factory option and because the truck had a high enough GVWR, it didnot require a catalytic converter which allowed it to have a true duel exhaust system. The Chevy lovers just couldn't stand to loose. Even though the El Camino was using the 454, it was no match for this truck. Also, the Dodge out did the Chevy in a mpg comparison.
Hi Ray, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Lou as usual you are the man, finding this and bringing so many of us back to our childhood of 10-11 yrs and seeing these in the summer.THANX
Hi Kevin, A fun one for sure :-) My pleasure sharing this one with you. You're welcome, Lou
I’m amongst those of you who remember this truck. There used to be quite a few of them around my neck of the woods, either that or it was the same one tooling around town all the time! Also a few of the black ones were around too.
Hi Trip Reviews, Happy to read this one brings back memories of ones you remember :-) Thank you for viewing & sharing, Lou
He did a excellent job on his little red pickup.
Happy to read you enjoy this restoration :-)
I always thought the Lil Red Truck was something I would like to have. Thanks for posting this and reminding me of a more carefree time. The truck is beautiful.
Hi I'm your Huckleberry, Happy to read you appreciate this truck :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
From a Ford truck fanboy is say Chrysler hit a home run with the little red express was the first factory tricked out truck and he did a great job restoring her
Hi larry, Happy to read you appreciate this truck :-) Lou
1400 o'clock, daily Lou-time... Thank's Lou... 👍
My pleasure Tom Vidar Nordmarken :-)
My dad had a maroon 1979 4x4 Ram with a 4 way plow he bought new. Hydraulic pump with quick connects, not electric, 318. It was basically a stepside Sno Commander without stripes. I loved that truck, and adore step sides to this day. This is a great truck, too. Thanks, to you and your guest for sharing! :)
Hi Todd Wall, Happy to read this truck brings back memories of your Dad's truck :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou
Great video. I also have a 1978 LRE that I am restoring. I can only that will turn out half as good as yours. Your video will get me working on mine again.
Hi A normal Person, Happy to read this video motivated you to get working again on yours. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I rode in the back of one on November 14, 1981. It was my sister's birthday and my friend and I went to buy a present for her as well as him. My friend was born the same day, same hospital and 4 hours apart from my sister. My best friend's stepdad saw us waiting for a bus and asked his coworker to give us a lift. We were nearly deaf after that ride but we were just 15 and 14 so we didn't care, we got home quicker. Great restoration on this one! Thanks for bringing back the memories.
Hi Sean, Good times for sure :-) Thank you for viewing & sharing your story, Lou
Great story, Lou! The Dakota 5.9 R/T seems like a descendant of it! Anyway, great truck!😁
Hi Billy, Happy to read you enjoy this "great" truck & story too :-) Lou
This is absolutely fantastic!
Hi Erich, Happy to read you appreciate this one :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Really nice specimen Lou! I remember seeing one that a buddy bought off a dealer in Middletown Ohio back in 78’! Awesome!
Happy to read this truck brings back memories of your Buddy's truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing.
The new truck that was faster than a new vet.
Cool little truck Lou.
1 of Lou's shorter walks from the motor to the exhaust sound.
Hi Tom Manley, Happy to read you enjoy this truck. You're right on the short walk to the exhaust sounds :-) Lou
Love those lil red express i also learned that dodge had a black version of the lil red express same truck blak gold stripes and no rear smoke stack exhaust and it has the same challenger cuda 3 spoke steering wheel its was the dodge warlock
Hi Daniel, Happy to read "Love those lil red express" :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Yo
Lou! Thanks for sharing my friend we had the world of wheels here in Calgary over the weekend
Hi Morning D.E.W., Happy to read you enjoy the World of Wheels show too :-) Lou
Mine is in the garage behind my house, 88,000 miles, ordered and bought NEW in 1978 from Greensburg Motors, dealers name was Pete Hoos by me. Mine is on the cover of Chrysler Power for May of 1997. Took 3rd in modified truck class at the Mopar Nationals in 99.The Warlock came in like 4 or 5 colors including BLACK. They WERE to be equipped with the W-2 heads but the idea was scrapped due to possible emission problems (DAMN), that is what caught my attention.
They are exhaust STACKS not horns... They did NOT come with a sunroof from the factory, EVER, GUARANTEED! The dealer may have installed it but the factory didn't. Your only options were air/no air, red or black interior, buckets or bench, am/fm radio or CB. Someone added the headers and the alternator has been changed. Thermoquad (metal/plastic) carburetor has been changed. Came with pine painted red, same as body, in the bed, varnished oak on the outside. They came equipped with 3:55 open 9 1/4 Chrysler rearends from the factory. He is right on the headlights, it also differed with the bed side markers and tail lights.
The DOUBLE THE DOUBLE NICKEL and KING OF THE HILL articles came out. If not mistaken (I would have to look) i believe it ALSO beat the turbo Porsche in the Double the Double Nickel article. Only the Vette and Firebird had a higher top speed. The truck was 111mph, Vette was 124 and Bird 123, but as the article stated the truck was shaped like a BRICK ! It DID beat them ALL from 0-100 though.
In the King Of the Hill article it was a 454 Chevy shortbed, a Ford 460 longbed against the 360 **SMALLBLOCK** D150 Lil Red... The Lil Red KILLED them....
Yeah, it was the first REAL SUPER TRUCK...
They DO make front fenders, hoods, doors, floors, bed parts (metal and wood) for them...
Hi dave rodkey, Happy to read you have a cool truck too :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
That sound tho 😍😍😍😍😍
Hi Jesse, I have one more for you :-) Enjoy! Lou th-cam.com/video/8kfwTnV9UUY/w-d-xo.html
An ingenious idea using some of the original bed wood to make that sign...
I thought that was cool too.
Great truck Lou, love everything about it.
Hi Ed B., Happy to read you enjoy this truck :-) Lou
Bad truck it’s nice and mean I never seen one of these thanks Lou great truck keep doing hella of a job searching for all these old school rides!👍🏻👍🏻
Hi Danny Al, Happy to read you enjoy this truck :-) Appreciate your kind words on the search for cars you and I will enjoy learning about, Lou
Thanks for posting another excellent video, Lou and what a sharp looking '78 Dodge Lil Red Express pickup truck! Love those Mopars!
Hi JackFlemingFan
, Happy to read you enjoy this video :-) Fun pickup for sure, Lou
This is truly my dream truck.
Hi Ray, Happy to read you appreciate this truck :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
My Cousin had one of the "WARLOCKS" it was Jade Green Metallic w/Gold flakes. These were great trucks.
Hi swampfox1957, Happy to read this truck brings back memories of your Cousin's truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Thanks for this one. You fulfilled my request.
You're welcome and happy to read you enjoy this truck :-)
GREAT TRUCK ONE OF THE FEW VEHICLE I NEVER HAD OR HAVE SEEN LATELY..GREAT VIDEO LU TKS RON
Hi RON BUTLER, Happy to read you enjoy this truck and episode :-) My pleasure sharing, and you're welcome, Lou
I have come across quite a few of these seminal Mopar muscle trucks in my day!! A friend of mine owned a Li'l Red Truck for a brief spell, his was a '79. Fun to ride in!! The Li'l Red was indeed the fastest accelerating US production vehicle in its day, quicker than the Trans Am, Z/28 and Corvette as trucks had more lenient emissions rules and thus freer-flowing exhaust was possible. There was another one sitting dormant on a vacant parcel in my neighborhood for years; it vanished when the land was sold and a home was built there. Hopefully it didn't get scrapped but I never learned its fate. Yet another sat languishing in a yard that was full of project Mopars, one city over from mine, at a house where a guy always had Challengers, Chargers, Dusters and the like lying around his house. I did see an example of the elusive and enigmatic black Midnight Express at Lebanon Valley Dragway in NY a few times, although I don't know if that was a real Midnight or a tribute/clone as a paint job, an engine build and a few decals can of course be employed to "create your own." Then there was the rusty beater light green Warlock that a local Hispanic man owned in my neighborhood in the '90s/early 2000s and used as a work truck--the guy likely had no idea what he had there. Warlocks could be had with power ranging from the six up to the 400 and 440 but I never knew what was in this one. Sadly, I imagine it's long since been recycled. Maybe you'll come across a Dodge Dude pickup sometime--those were colorful and wild too!! Thanks Lou, I enjoyed this one as always.
Happy to read this truck brings back memories of your Friends truck :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome.
💘 the sounds out of those twin stacks too!!
Happy to read you enjoy the sounds of these stacks :-)
Lou you definitely get around. Nice little pick up truck 👍🏻
All so we can have fun together on this TH-cam Channel :-) Glad you enjoy this truck, Lou
I 💘 these Little Red Trucks with the dual stacks!!
Happy to read & see you "I 💘 these" :-)
Back in the day I was a service director at a Dodge dealership and these things were a real pain with the thermoquad carb..it ran rich all the time and when first started with the moisture in the exhaust pipes it would throw out black water from those stacks and spray all over the bed rails and wood in the beds...could never get these to run that way they should have for that..many were traded back in because of this..a nice red truck and the black soot all over this thing was the first thing everyone noticed and pissed off alot of owners..the ones that kept these later replaced the carb with a more friendly carter abf and solved the problem..I had one as a demo for a few months and these things would run very strong..thanks again Lou
Hi bob crawford, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. You're welcome, Lou
Awe man... sooo cool! I used to walk past one every day on my way to school between grade 2 and 4. I've always wanted one... Maybe someday
Hi Motorteeth, Happy to read this car brings back memories :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I do not recollect ever seeing one of these before. And I find that sad! But I see it now and I'm totally digging this groovy red stacked ride, maaaaan! Thanx to Kyle and you, Lou - for bringing this treasure on board! Bravo!
Hi ImTheDaveman, Happy to read you're "digging this groovy red stacked ride" :-) You're welcome, Lou
I remember them Dave. They also made a black version called Midnight Express. I've only seen 1. The red was more common and I've seen a few.
Really nicely done pickup. I did see one before a long time ago.
Hi Debbie Dunn, Happy to read you appreciate this truck :-) Lou
Hey Lou , s always love youre diverse selection of vehicles you chose!!#$ now I was a kid and one of these used to run around the neighborhood ( Camillus NY) Thanx for the great memories Lou
Hey Kevin C, Happy to read you enjoy the selections to share with you. Nice to have a "Lil Red" running around the neighborhood. Glad to read this one brings back great memories :-) You're welcome, Lou
Go big Orange ! Syracuse... Seneca Knolls sledder.
I love it
:-)
There was a Warlock too! It had a 440 engine! It was black with white lettering. I owned many Mopars in the 70s.
NICE! I'll keep an eye out for one.
Awesome restoration
Hi Lil Red Truck, Happy to read you appreciate this truck :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
I had a mint 79 Little Red Express! Should have never sold it but you know has that goes. That was 1986. $6,000!!! Hahaha. I even made money on it!
Hi Craig, Happy to read you had one! Understand sometimes you have to sell. Good news! Stay tuned, I have a 1979 coming up in the next few months, Lou
I've never noticed the wood on the sides before. Lots of attention to detail when ya take your time and look... pretty lil truck.. good job Lou!!!
Hi Mark J, Happy to read the details you enjoy on this truck :-) Thank you for the kind words on the video too, Lou
That 360 Lil Red Express air cleaner cover is 😎!
Nice eye catching touch under the hood.
Wow amazing videos as usual.
I just bought one off a guy who hit a water truck with it…. A lot of work needs done to this one lol
Hi Triple Buckshot, Hope yours come out the way you are hoping for, Lou
My neighbor had a new one that had the wooden stake(?) sides above the bed..
Thanks Lou....
Hi BartRicky, Happy to read this truck brings back memories of your Neighbor's truck :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou
Love the "Western" styled lettering of the '360 Express' decal on the air cleaner.
Happy to read the details you enjoy :-)
That's a beautiful truck.
Happy to read you enjoy this truck :-)
Its awsome!!!!!!!!!!!
High praise :-)
Great looking truck Lou another great video. I usually see 1 or 2 of them maybe when I go to Cruising the Coast in Biloxi Mississippi. But I don't know much about them.
Hi PlymouthDuster 225
, Happy to share this truck with you :-) Fun when you see one, Lou
Beautiful truck!
Happy to read you appreciate this truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing.
Hi Lou! Pretty nice truck ! Something different than the cars you show. Like this truck!
Hi Joseph, Happy to read you enjoy this truck :-) Lou
The fastest production vehicle in 1978 of the United states
Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge.
I remember when these were touted as faster (quicker?) than Corvettes of the same year...well if you ever drove a 77-79 Vette, you'd have to agree....pure slugs..this truck is sweet
Happy to read you enjoy this truck :-)
These trucks were pretty popular. The black & gold truck was the Warlock adult toy by Dodge .
Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge.
Nice restoration.
Happy to read you enjoy this restoration :-)
Beautiful truck!!! I've always loved these trucks as well as the Warlock trucks. I'm partial to Dodge trucks, I have my Pawpaw's 1968 D100 Custom that he bought brand new and has 63,000 original miles on it. Vintage Dodge trucks are awesome!!!
Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this truck. Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Glad to read you have a nice truck too.
Awesome Lou《☆》Well done restoration on the LRE & exhaust sounds perfect🤠 I almost bought a 79 LRE in 1993 $6000 was a little steep since we were actually looking for a car for my gf :*:🍊Greetings🤳from Florida my friend🤓🗣🔊☮✌👍🏾
Hi BDOG JR, Happy to read you appreciate this truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Lou
A rare beauty.👍
Happy to read you appreciate this truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing.
so i bought a 2 owner original lil red express locally in 2016 that was amazingly clean only 43,000 miles with intentions of restoration. lost it in a horrible fire in 2017 and it broke my heart......
Hi Martin, Sorry to read the end result :-( Lou
I own an original 1978 with 17000 original miles. The wood in the bed was red stock.
Hi Derek, Happy to read you have a cool truck too. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Nice truck.
:-)
Cool 😀
Glad to read you think this truck is cool :-)
@@loucostabile 😀
There was a Warlock. It was just a paint and trim option. The express had the 360 Police motor! The data tag in the engine bay will tell if the sun roof is factory, I doubt it.
Hi theoriginalmungaman
, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Great truck, and if I'm not mistaken, it was faster than the Corvette.
Happy to read you enjoy this fast truck :-)
Lou, on sunroofs from the 1970s, if the roof is stamped with a crease or roll around the opening's perimeter it is factory. If the metal is flat with no stamping it is aftermarket. My recollection is they didn't have sunroofs in the Red Express, but it is possible they were offered and I was 22 then when I was selling them as new trucks. I sold MOPAR and Ford in 1978.
Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge.
The amount of love and attention to detail is just outstanding.......I wonder if there's a way to find out 💯 percent if it did come with the sunroof factory installed ........or was it done aftermarket....... either way just a beautiful example of someone that just had a great eye for details...... keep on keeping on 😉
HI Steven, Happy to read you appreciate this pickup :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Here is one more I think you'll enjoy. th-cam.com/video/8kfwTnV9UUY/w-d-xo.html
Kool! Interesting fact about the ‘78 version shown here... 1/2 ton trucks did not have to meet passenger car standards that year. So no cats, higher compression, the old “340” cam. You couldn’t get that in a car. In ‘79, cats and emissions equipment was added, and the truck lost a lot of horse power.
Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge.
Sure thing Lou!
I had a ‘79 W200 Club Cab Power Wagon with the 360 2bbl. I got the ‘78 Factory Service Manual because I had planned on swapping a 440 into it. That never happened because the special Load Flite 727 Trans was impossible to find! But what a difference from ‘78 to ‘79. My truck had a cat, an air pump, all kinds of extra emissions equipment including a timer for distributor retard. The ‘78, according to the manual had non of that, and would run on leaded gas. Thanks for posting! 😀
Trucks rated at 6000 lbs gvw got away with no emissions standards. That's why the D-150 was created. The 79 was neutered but still fast
FUBAR Model Yard
It was over a second slower in the 1/4... no longer the fastest.
That went to the ‘79 Trans Am T/A 6.6 w/ 4-speed.
FUBAR Model Yard
Also no D150 in ‘79. I had the 3/4 ton W200 with the 8 bolt wheels.
Dude I love that truck ! My brother had a truck just like it qn the bed was rusted real bad . The cab was good but he sold it to a friend for a $100. I told him he was dumb. Lol we were in are 20s
Hi Samuel Silver, Happy to read this truck brings back memories of your Brothers truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Beautiful truck .i was watching the video of this and when I saw the vin number of the truck I was kinda shocked .I own a 78 lil red express that is one digit off it was cool stumbling across the sister truck . I have had mine since 2007 and still doing a frame off restoration.
That's pretty cool ! Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy.
They were produced in 1992 as well as a dealer add-on option, based on the Dakota.
Hi Mike, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
CBs were big back in the late 70s..
10-4 Good Buddy :-)
Thanks so much for this! Probably the best specialty american vehicle to come on the market in 1978, in the midst of the detroit "malaise years", imo, from 1973 till about the mid 1980's. It sounds great! I can easily picture Jim Rockford, from the "Rockford Files" racing around in it! In 1978, I had already given up on the american auto market, and stuck with buying japanese trucks, because the lack of innovation, and poor driving dynamics of the american cars back during those "malaise years." Thank you Lou for highlighting this great, and innovative truck, I remember them fondly!
Hi Carlos Carpinteyro, Happy to read this truck brings back memories :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou
Thank you, really nice vehicle: I always liked trucks, but in 1976 I had to,go with ordering the 1977 TransAm HurstHatch: finally getting a TRUCK in 2007; GMC CANYON SE/Auto/AC/Pspb/Towing pack/4 Cyl/ Cruise/2WD/2Door( sometimes wish we had gotten 4 WHEEL drive, though use STUDDED WINTER tires here in Montana) did switch back to Factory air cleaner Element, (*from K& H Foam due to massive dust presence @ approx 120,000 miles ,though apparently no Problems, or MAss air FLOW SENSOR EITHER) still driving at 137 K , in Helena Valley from WARSAW IN in 2016.....a lot of really nice trucks over the years. Interestingly, most of the (four door especially) trucks are so massive & expensive.. Even the Canyon /Chevy has grown to much ( esp in price).......
Hi Opera, Happy to read you enjoy this truck :-) You're welcome, Lou
They did have the black Warlock package
Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge.
My buddy I grew up with had one of these and my old neighbor had one to but he painted it black
Happy to read this truck brings back memories of your Buddy's truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing.
💯👌
:-)
I love Dodg...y motas.
Nice :-)
In 1977 Dodge made the Warlock. It was black and came with a 440.
Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge.
6:49 not the correct dash vents for factory air, although that is a correct ac compressor. fun fact, the 78 was the last year to be smog exempt for trucks. 79 was the first year emission controls were mandatory for trucks
Hi krazi77, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this TH-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this TH-cam Channel, Lou
Very nice resto job but I have differ in that the truck never came form the factory with Air Conditioning. He has duplicated the compressor position on the engine but the interior dash vents have been cut in and the HVAC Controls are for for a non-A/C truck. I was selling cars and trucks at a Chrysler dealer when these came out and actually sold one to a fellow. The sunroof looks like a factory install to me as they were available on the cars at the time so not a stretch to to say they would have been available for the trucks. They also came with a 3:55 final drive ratio differential and Posi-Traction was optional.
Happy to read you appreciate this restoration and thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge.
GMC actually marketed their own answer to the Dodge muscle truck lineup during this era, though it is little remembered today. The GMC Street Coupe pickup boasted a very '70s-appropriate bright-hued stripe kit, two tone paint schemes, and 350 or 454 power. Not sure how many they made; I think they were offered in the 1978-1980 period. Maybe some were produced in 1981 also.
autowise.com/all-of-73-87-chevy-and-gmc-special-edition-pickup-trucks-part-i/
Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge.
That was an interesting article. Nothing as outrageous as the express but the mule is close in looks
I know where there is one exactly like this one. It was bought new by the now owner.
And his brother owns the Warlock Edition.
Hi Jim, Thanks for viewing and sharing. Some cool pickup trucks for sure, Lou
The same Tuff Steering Wheel you could get in any early 70s Mopar Muscle Car..
Nice :-)
Odd to see the DeSoto logo on that door plate, considering the marque had been defunct for over 20 years at that point. hmm
Nice attention to details.