My mom, Kim Brooks was the owner who restored these trucks. I learned to drive in the Top Hand as a kid. @tophandbaroness restored them at 67 years old. She is one of the greats. Did almost all the work herself. Walk down memory lane. We called them Mustard and Ketchup:)
Hello there. I spoke to your mom yesterday about these. Learned a whole lot that I wish I would have known before hand because they are 100 times more amazing, knowing what I know now about them. Also talked to Sam who helped with the restoration and finding the trail duster. By the way, your mother sounds amazing. It was a joy speaking to her. She said she may make a trip out here just to be reunited with them and maybe turn a wrench or two in my shop. lol.
This needs to be added to this story in a part 2 video, please get her in, that would be amazing to see. And hear more about this cool woman! @whiskeysaldana2699
I wonder if it really was the only one built ,if it was i owned it in the early 90 s (the Trailduster ) it did not have the yellow front push bar on it when i owned the one i had ,i had added the two chrome padded foot tallish rubber faced push braces to it
@@whychry from what I have read the Trail Duster is the only one in existance and it was built at Vic Hickeys shop. The pickup is one of a couple hundred or so built and the only one built at Vic Hickeys shop as well.
The roof on all 1974-1980 Trail Dusters came off at the windshield. In 1981, it became a fixed roof. The first few Trail Dusters and Ramchargers in 1974 had the door frame cut off the door and made part of the roof. The change was made around June of 1974.
Those half door Ramchargers were a brief sexy California kind. Chuck Norris got a Ramcharger because it's the low end of the 4x4 suv market and lots of people had those blown out 4x4s in the 1970s up north. Most were sold in salt territory and the real heritage is snow and salt, not desert where the surviving examples were. Ramchargers got thrown away as the worst era of Penta history was going on, they were junk in every way compared to a Blazer and not in the same universe as any Ford truck of the 1970s. Ford just didn't get as bad as the other 2 in the 70s. Ramchargers were tah-rash. Even the early love of them because of Norris before the internet jokes, were themselves jokes. I always loved them but all of us that loved them figured they were for the slow kids from shop class to mess with. They were, he abused and threw them away, and now these things of all models are rare. Even restoring them these days will result in a higher quality product. When you think of 'Malaise Era' at least, Ramchargers are pretty close to the crummy top.
AWESOME!! I have always loved these when younger. The Plymouth Truck is sometimes a set back and let someone think a second. But to make em think longer say Mercury Truck. Just more rare. I would love these , then get me Lone Wolfs , Norris Ramcharger lol.
I had a '78 Ramcharger I bought totaled , bent frame , etc ! Found a '74 trail duster frame , installed 3/4 ton '73 Dodge front and rear axles , for strength and lock-out hubs , installed a 440 with original truck mounts , 100 amp alternator , already had original air conditioning , am/fm cassette/CB , wood grain accent interior and rollbar , pretty much all options except power windows , turned out great , sold it to a friend in Canada and he installed a 12 valve Cummins in it , and I do believe it's on the east coast now !!!
My friends and I spent entire summers traveling in the backs of pickups everywhere our folks went. It was an Awesome time to be alive. Cruising Colorado and New Mexico's mountain roads and trails.😊❤
I bought a 1974 Trail Duster Sport in 1974. I kept it until 1984. I miss that truck. I added the side steps and bumper protector from Hickey Enterprises along with the HE steering wheel. The roof rack and spare tire rack on the Top Hand were also from Hickey. That was a great company to get after market parts from.
My mom is in fact the one who restored these, and she really is amazing! I used to drive the truck to high school and everyone knew Mac and Cheese. Fun to see them getting the attention from people that appreciate the hard work she put into them. Lots of memories.
Part of MOPARS Adult Toys line, they had some of the coolest looking street vans & trucks! Hopefully you will run across some vans more often, would love to see some of those customs {had a few} ✌💖☮
Enjoyed seeing these. I bought a 78' Dodge Macho Power Wagon new. Fully loaded w/ sunroof, 440, am fm cb, posi front and rear, Hickey fold down steps, push bar, lift kit, 1 ton front shaft, put edelbrock intake on which Direct Connection told me not to do. Cast iron intake will torque quicker. Truck was silver/ black. First set of hooker headers lasted over 10 years. They needed overdrive back then, but wasn't on the menu in 78. Truck would run up to 100 quick. Weighed nearly 5k lbs. I think. I drove it for nearly 14 years. Sold it in 93 for good money to a Mopar guy. As stated earlier, I really enjoyed this video. Thanks.
We had a 1978 Plymouth Trail Duster sport !! It was like a rust gold and had 4x4 with stripes going down each side and also the 4x4 stripe on the tailgate!! My dad special ordered in Jan 78 and got it June 78 !! It was super cool !! And..... It was convertible!! That's what the Plymouth Trailduster had over the Dodge Ram Charger !! You coud take the top off the Duster in about 5mins with 2 ppl!!
I swear I saw one of those Trail Dusters in Columbus Ohio in 79 or 80, maybe it was this one, another one or a clone. The one I saw looked exactly like this and I have never forgotten it. Really cool looking. Who knows just saying what I saw.
Man those are awesome I have seen a Top Hand Power Wagon but only read about the Plymouth Trailduster Top Hand that is really cool the Power wagon I saw had the bucket seats with the center buddy seat/console it was in good shape but not as good as those are they look like they were built yesterday the paint and everything on both of them are in perfect condition. Those are so bad ass and I am a big Mopar guy too love how the power wagon has the 440 in it too that it cool
I have seen several of those Plymouth trail dusters in that color concept so whether it’s real one or not is hard to tell you’d have to check the Vin on it. The ram charger on the dash is wrong. I do have a 79 trail duster at this time and he’s wrong about the top. The full convertible was from 74 January to July 1974, and then after that they left the full door on with the full top off and then in 1980 was a full top and you could not remove even half of it.
I have a 78 Trail Duster Top Hand right now. I have seen several Trail Duster Top Hand editions over the years. I think I have seen as many Trail Duster Top Hands as Ramcharger Top Hands. This particular Trail Duster may be the original Top Hand prototype. The Ramcharger and Trail Duster had fully removable roofs from 74 - 80. 81 started with a solid roof from front to back. Trail Dusters and Ramchargers never had a partial roof like the Blazer. 81 was the last year for the Trail Duster. My understanding is that you went to a dealer and picked out your truck or SUV and then used an order form to order the specific Top Hand options you wanted from the Hickey. I have seen these order forms. The parts were ordered from Hickey and then installed by the selling dealer. I have also never seen any hard numbers on production. I have read maybe 300. That could have been 100 trucks, 100 Ramchargers and 100 Trail Dusters. I have also read or heard 200ish also.
These are both the very first number ones built in 1977 prototypes. Built at Hickey Enterprises. After that it was a dealer option. There was no other ones built at Hickey. (except for the missing third one.)
@CarsShopsAndCollections yes it is. Those metal tops are pretty heavy. Except for the rear hatch. It's made from fiberglass. And the rubber gaskets are pretty expensive now adays too for the top. If you can even get them.
You are incorrect 1980 is the last year of the removable top Trail Duster 81 is the first year of the solid top and the last year of Trail dusters the only year they were made with a hardtop non-removable
@CarsShopsAndCollections . It was a damn good truck to me. It didn't give me any problems except for water pump, alternator and just stuff along those lines. The big issues were my doing. Bent drive shaft on a snowball I thought. Turned out to be a rock in a snowball. An the fuel tank sprung a leak. Obviously not my doing. Dad and I put a tank all the way in the back. I was 19y at the time and smoke cigarettes and left handed cigarettes. We always had to wait to air the truck out before lighting anything. I drove it for around 4 or 5 years and sold it to a buddy for $500. The last I heard he had for a couple years then sold it for $1,000. 82 dodge ram charger 318 no 4x4 plan Jane color burgundy. Another bud had a old bronco and was always jealous of his top cam off and mine didn't. Lol
I had an 80 Trail Duster with a 360, auto, 4x4 with lockout hubs and absolutely loved it back in 82, it was a good thing that it had a 35 gallon gas tank since my best mpg was 13 highway. 😊
I inherited my dad’s 77 Trailduster in this paint scheme so maybe it’s one of one but I distinctly remember it. Had a 440 and as a HS student, I couldn’t afford to drive it much since it got 8mpg. Might want to check the junk yards in North Dakota.
Awesome to see these,I had a 79 trail duster I had bought when I was 17 as my first vehicle,it was in 80 and it was a dealer demo. It was loaded with full power and the cb radio,it also had a pop up sunroof,it was two tone burgundy with chrome wheels. Beautiful truck,but it was not very reliable. I had it until 82,but I did get an 86 ramcharger a few years later that was pretty good. They were some of my all time favorite trucks that i wish I still had.
Those Cibie lights on the trucks...they get good money. I have a set of the large, rectangular Cibie driving & fog lights (with the parabolic lenses) and was offered $800 per pair.
I know- mine are on a Travco 320 my uncle ordered in '75. It arrived in '76, went to Alaska. The lights were installed in Anchorage. The guys were restoring a very famous Corvette race car, that had competed in Europe, started at $1600 for the set. But I shut them down because they are part of that vehicle @@CarsShopsAndCollections
Wow JC! Those two Mopars are beautiful! I will be moving to Pahrump soon, and I need to ship two of my Mopars to a storage facility that can receive them be for I get there. A pro-touring '73 Charger 383 6-pack 5-speed (drivable) A pro-touring '72 Satellite 360 6-pack 5 speed. (not drivable) I googled 24/7 motor coach, but it comes up as a RV repair shop. Can you steer me to an economically priced automobile storage company that can unload the cars for me? Thanks, Steve. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year and thanks for watching! We might have to film you and those cars at some point! So cool! Email me and I can get you in touch with a few people! Carsshopsandcollections@gmail.com
Great! I wanted to talk to you about filming my cars when I finish the jewel of my collection. It's a '69 Dodge Super Bee street freak gasser inspired by Ed Roth. Has a blown 426 Hemi with zoomies coming out of the fenderwells. A straight axle front end mounted on a 4-link and coil-over shocks. It has the classic old school bass boat fake paint job by House of Kolors. House of Kolors expressed interest in putting it in their SEMA booth with it is finished. I showed Big DaddyDon Garlits two pictures of it and he yelled out... "Oh my God! I want to see this car!"@@CarsShopsAndCollections
@@jonnyonwheels Well bruther! Hogan will be recorded making a sex tape with his friends wife without his knowledge and utter racist remarks on said tape losing his job when it went public, get most of my wealth taken by my wife in a divorce where she was having sex with his sons friend then sue the company responsible making the tape public for many millions of dollars recovering a ton of wealth and going back to work for the wwe after a brief hiatus. Un real
Cool trucks!! The only thing I can guess on the Ramcharger badge on the dash might be that, when you consider the production numbers(36,000 over 6 or 7 years = roughly 6, 250 trucks a year), perhaps the high end a/c trim was only available in Ramcharger badging. Start factoring percentages of how many a year, a/c, full dress trim inside, it's not hard to conceive that the probability is Mopar only did the one trim, & used it on both product lines. I'm betting Dodge was a higher sales rate to the Plymouth, so the production numbers on the ramchargers could be almost twice what the Plymouth were. This is something that if you pay attention to, all manufacturers did at some point with similar product lines, car or truck. Thanks for sharing the video!
The trail duster started off life as a ram charger. Hickey was only able to find a ram charger with a 440 and yellow for this build. it was Campaign by Chrysler as a trail duster nobody looking at advertisements knew what the Vin number was. Both are the first prototype of a top hand. Both are the only ones built by hickey. Still 1 of 1
I had the Top Hand step side, my first vehicle. Bought it from my grandpa, it was his ranch truck. I sold it in 2002 for a couple grand to a guy in San Francisco.
Yes, crazy story the guy ended up living about a mile from my brother in SF and I randomly saw it one time driving through the Sunset District. Hard to miss! 😎👍
BTW, where this one says "Top Hand" above the front wheel wells, mine said "John Deere" but the yellow was painted over it, you could see that the "John Deere" were decals before it was modified to top hand. Mine never had the Top Hand decals above the wheel well but it said it on the tailgate. I also had the matching rims.
@@CarsShopsAndCollections nothing beats those big three American 70s and 80s graphics on the trucks, especially Mopar stuff. Don’t get me wrong GM has some awesome ones too.
My dad had a 76 Trail Duster with the 440 auto and I think it was full time 4x4. All I remember was dad told me to take it out and blow the carbon out of it. The motor was just rebuilt and I mashed the gas and blew both exhaust donuts out of it and spent the rest of the day changing them. It was a total beast and it was all original except the rebuilt motor. Should have kept it. Then later in life I bought an 83 Ramcharger with a built 360. It moved along real nice. Dad's was green like a game Watson's ride lol. Mine was black and was the top edition with the rams head hood ornament. Cool old rides.
Wow, how cool are these trucks, I remember watching Chuck Connor's shows as a young fella in Australia. But there'll only be one Duke! Thanks for posting JC, Happy New Year mate. 😎👍
I really like the paint scheme on those trucks. It makes me wonder how it would look on my '99 Dodge dually, though with them being the 2 generation's styling being completely different, it probably wouldn't look as good on mine.
*I bet the Trailduster by Hickey was used at the major manufacturer auto shows around the country* Be interesting to check out historical photos from 1976-77 US auto shows, I bet you'd see it show up in pics!
I owned one of the Top Hand Plymouth traildusters in 1992 I was 23,24 ish years old and unfortunately for me it got repoed Saddest loss in my life I had just got out of the army and had just started driving 18 wheelers
I used to own a 77 Ram Charger with the removable roof , I loved it but mine didn't have a 440 I had an under powered 318 .Sadly these vehicles rusted out pretty quick and the body went before I ever got the idea to upgrade to larger drive line .
1980 was the last year of the "pop top" RC & TD. After that the tops didn't come off, unlike the half top Blazers and Broncos. I daily drive a 79 RC. There were also more than one Top Hand made by Hickey. Unfortunately, they didn't really keep records but there are a few out there in not so great condition.
Very cool trucks , I haven’t seen any Plymouth trail dusters in the top hand , but they definitely made the top hand in the Ramcharger . The Plymouth might be a 1of 1 but the top hand in the ramcharger is out there .
this trailduster started off as a ramcharger because it was the only 440 yellow Hickey could find in inventory. it was a prototype so it didnt really matter.
These both are prototypes. Both built in 1977. These are the first top hands ever made. The trail duster started off as a ram charger was sent to Hickey Enterprises, who changed the badging, and the Grill to have it represented as a trail duster for Chrysler and their promotional use.
Not the only one ever built I still have the 440 from the one I used to own. Now it might be the only one left but, not the only one that was out here. I also still have the back hatch ,roll bar and various small parts
That is insane! I'm not a huge fan of the color, but they are beautiful trucks! That is insane 1 of 1! I need to be friends with this guy, if for no other reason than his name is Whiskey 😂
Not a 1 0f 1 tho there are others, this is also technically not a TD it came off the assembly line as a ramcharger hence why the vin still comes back to a ramcharger, and why it has dodge badging and ramcharger grill this is just a prototype, 202 of theses prototypes were made from my understanding, there are quite a few ppl who own theses still
Also whisky is a douche bag, ppl have tryed to correct him on his misinformation of this vehicle and his response to them is I don’t fucking care, and you are poor
That’s how I set my Ramcharger up winch control in cab from driver seat, I had several trail Dusters, i figured they made more of the. As lots around my area 25 years ago, I had 74,75,76,79 trail Duster and one 85 Ramcharger,
My brother had a 76 Trail Duster and it said Ram charger on the dash as well I think they all did my dad was a complete Dodge nut grew up with Dodge trucks know them very well
That's a tough problem to have a GTO pink slip and not even know what car or where it is you have so many. A lot of people don't realize Chuck Conner's was also a Boston Celtic and a Brooklyn Dodger at one time.
My mom, Kim Brooks was the owner who restored these trucks. I learned to drive in the Top Hand as a kid.
@tophandbaroness restored them at 67 years old. She is one of the greats. Did almost all the work herself. Walk down memory lane. We called them Mustard and Ketchup:)
Very nice vehicle ! They should have produced them - Make them not hi - dollar .
I would have got one of the Plymouth with no A/C . Just for hunting .
Hello there. I spoke to your mom yesterday about these. Learned a whole lot that I wish I would have known before hand because they are 100 times more amazing, knowing what I know now about them. Also talked to Sam who helped with the restoration and finding the trail duster. By the way, your mother sounds amazing. It was a joy speaking to her. She said she may make a trip out here just to be reunited with them and maybe turn a wrench or two in my shop. lol.
This needs to be added to this story in a part 2 video, please get her in, that would be amazing to see. And hear more about this cool woman! @whiskeysaldana2699
I wonder if it really was the only one built ,if it was i owned it in the early 90 s (the Trailduster ) it did not have the yellow front push bar on it when i owned the one i had ,i had added the two chrome padded foot tallish rubber faced push braces to it
@@whychry from what I have read the Trail Duster is the only one in existance and it was built at Vic Hickeys shop. The pickup is one of a couple hundred or so built and the only one built at Vic Hickeys shop as well.
The roof on all 1974-1980 Trail Dusters came off at the windshield. In 1981, it became a fixed roof. The first few Trail Dusters and Ramchargers in 1974 had the door frame cut off the door and made part of the roof. The change was made around June of 1974.
One of the best parts of doing this show is the knowledge I get from the comments! I appreciate you watching and dropping some knowledge!
Those half door Ramchargers were a brief sexy California kind. Chuck Norris got a Ramcharger because it's the low end of the 4x4 suv market and lots of people had those blown out 4x4s in the 1970s up north. Most were sold in salt territory and the real heritage is snow and salt, not desert where the surviving examples were. Ramchargers got thrown away as the worst era of Penta history was going on, they were junk in every way compared to a Blazer and not in the same universe as any Ford truck of the 1970s. Ford just didn't get as bad as the other 2 in the 70s. Ramchargers were tah-rash. Even the early love of them because of Norris before the internet jokes, were themselves jokes. I always loved them but all of us that loved them figured they were for the slow kids from shop class to mess with. They were, he abused and threw them away, and now these things of all models are rare. Even restoring them these days will result in a higher quality product. When you think of 'Malaise Era' at least, Ramchargers are pretty close to the crummy top.
those graphics are just so DOPE.. i absolutely love it!
Yeah… it’s pretty cool!!!
Good Video ! Thanks fellers - Fun to watch .
Thank you for watching!!!
The Power Wagon I remember reading about in MCG . The woman who owned it her 4 daughters learning how to drive in it 😊
Imagine learning to drive in a Power Wagon! Awesome!
2 of them commented here
Great show, I had a 78 trailduster fulltime 4x4 there was nowhere it wouldn't go ,thanx for the trip down memory lane
Nice! Thanks for watching!!!!
AWESOME!! I have always loved these when younger. The Plymouth Truck is sometimes a set back and let someone think a second. But to make em think longer say Mercury Truck. Just more rare. I would love these , then get me Lone Wolfs , Norris Ramcharger lol.
I have a 77 trailduster in my yard, so at least two. Mine needs a little work though!
That’s a cool yard! It’s the Top Hand that makes it a 1 of 1.
@@CarsShopsAndCollections yes, top hand edition!
I had a '78 Ramcharger I bought totaled , bent frame , etc ! Found a '74 trail duster frame , installed 3/4 ton '73 Dodge front and rear axles , for strength and lock-out hubs , installed a 440 with original truck mounts , 100 amp alternator , already had original air conditioning , am/fm cassette/CB , wood grain accent interior and rollbar , pretty much all options except power windows , turned out great , sold it to a friend in Canada and he installed a 12 valve Cummins in it , and I do believe it's on the east coast now !!!
These are absolutely amazing!!!!
With such great back stories!!!
My friends and I spent entire summers traveling in the backs of pickups everywhere our folks went. It was an Awesome time to be alive.
Cruising Colorado and New Mexico's mountain roads and trails.😊❤
Yes! Great memories! Thanks for sharing!
Ramchargers never had half tops ,they were removable until 80 I believe then they were solid full top until 93.
Yes and the curved rear glass made it ugly.
I bought a 1974 Trail Duster Sport in 1974. I kept it until 1984. I miss that truck. I added the side steps and bumper protector from Hickey Enterprises along with the HE steering wheel. The roof rack and spare tire rack on the Top Hand were also from Hickey. That was a great company to get after market parts from.
Man!! I want to see pictures!!
Just found this channel very cool
Thanks for checking it out! I appreciate it!
That paint/graphics package would look good on a lot of trucks and SUVs
My mom is in fact the one who restored these, and she really is amazing! I used to drive the truck to high school and everyone knew Mac and Cheese. Fun to see them getting the attention from people that appreciate the hard work she put into them. Lots of memories.
Is Alison White your sister?
She said she called them ketchup and mustard
WOW, beautiful and rare mopars ! Luv it
Thanks for watching!!!!
I seen a trail duster once about 35 years ago it was a rusty red color. I remember it well
My dad had the Dodge " Little Red Express " with the chrome stack exhaust behind the cab..Very cool couple of trucks..Thanks for posting
That is such a cool truck!!! Thank you for watching!! I appreciate it!
Wow they are both so nice and omg so many beautiful cars in that shop! What a dream to own such amazing parts of history
Those things are so dang clean, I would feel bad just for sitting it. I love those old trucks, but to see 'em in this condition is amazing.
It was fun driving the trail duster!
These are so awesome !
So cool!!! Thanks for watching!
Part of MOPARS Adult Toys line, they had some of the coolest looking street vans & trucks! Hopefully you will run across some vans more often, would love to see some of those customs {had a few} ✌💖☮
Heck yeah! I have yet to do a van… putting it on my “to find and film” list for 2024! Thanks for watching!
@@CarsShopsAndCollections
Enjoyed seeing these. I bought a 78' Dodge Macho Power Wagon new. Fully loaded w/ sunroof, 440, am fm cb, posi front and rear, Hickey fold down steps, push bar, lift kit, 1 ton front shaft, put edelbrock intake on which Direct Connection told me not to do. Cast iron intake will torque quicker. Truck was silver/ black. First set of hooker headers lasted over 10 years. They needed overdrive back then, but wasn't on the menu in 78. Truck would run up to 100 quick. Weighed nearly 5k lbs. I think. I drove it for nearly 14 years. Sold it in 93 for good money to a Mopar guy. As stated earlier, I really enjoyed this video. Thanks.
@@bobchristopher5842 Thank you for watching and sharing your story... Sounds like you had a nice run with yours!
@@bobchristopher5842 love those Powerwagons
Wow, I remember seeing this truck in a magazine when I was a kid. What a trip down memory lane. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
We had a 1978 Plymouth Trail Duster sport !! It was like a rust gold and had 4x4 with stripes going down each side and also the 4x4 stripe on the tailgate!! My dad special ordered in Jan 78 and got it June 78 !! It was super cool !! And..... It was convertible!! That's what the Plymouth Trailduster had over the Dodge Ram Charger !! You coud take the top off the Duster in about 5mins with 2 ppl!!
Actually it read
FOUR by FOUR In the striping
Thanks for sharing this… I love hearing about these mopar memories!
Correct! You could get a Canvas top with the Trailduster but not the Ramcharger! But the canvas top would fit either.
@@ramman871 I loved that damn truck !! I traded it for a 73 Challenger 340 4bbl slapstick !! IDIOT!! LOL
I swear I saw one of those Trail Dusters in Columbus Ohio in 79 or 80, maybe it was this one, another one or a clone. The one I saw looked exactly like this and I have never forgotten it. Really cool looking. Who knows just saying what I saw.
Certainly could have been! It has been roaming the country since 1977! I appreciate you watching!
Man those are awesome I have seen a Top Hand Power Wagon but only read about the Plymouth Trailduster Top Hand that is really cool the Power wagon I saw had the bucket seats with the center buddy seat/console it was in good shape but not as good as those are they look like they were built yesterday the paint and everything on both of them are in perfect condition. Those are so bad ass and I am a big Mopar guy too love how the power wagon has the 440 in it too that it cool
I have seen pictures of the Trail Duster… I felt like I was meeting a celebrity when I saw them. lol! Thanks for watching!
My Dad had two Plymouth Traildusters. Loved those trucks.
Cool dad!
I had a '78 stepside power wagon Warlock back in the 90s
That’s an impressive ride!!
@@CarsShopsAndCollections, I wish I still had it. Mine was pretty beat up, but it looked cool from 30 feet away.
I have seen several of those Plymouth trail dusters in that color concept so whether it’s real one or not is hard to tell you’d have to check the Vin on it. The ram charger on the dash is wrong. I do have a 79 trail duster at this time and he’s wrong about the top. The full convertible was from 74 January to July 1974, and then after that they left the full door on with the full top off and then in 1980 was a full top and you could not remove even half of it.
I have a 78 Trail Duster Top Hand right now. I have seen several Trail Duster Top Hand editions over the years. I think I have seen as many Trail Duster Top Hands as Ramcharger Top Hands. This particular Trail Duster may be the original Top Hand prototype.
The Ramcharger and Trail Duster had fully removable roofs from 74 - 80. 81 started with a solid roof from front to back. Trail Dusters and Ramchargers never had a partial roof like the Blazer. 81 was the last year for the Trail Duster.
My understanding is that you went to a dealer and picked out your truck or SUV and then used an order form to order the specific Top Hand options you wanted from the Hickey. I have seen these order forms. The parts were ordered from Hickey and then installed by the selling dealer.
I have also never seen any hard numbers on production. I have read maybe 300. That could have been 100 trucks, 100 Ramchargers and 100 Trail Dusters. I have also read or heard 200ish also.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this… I’m for sure going to do some more digging. It was pretty neat having these two together!
These are both the very first number ones built in 1977 prototypes. Built at Hickey Enterprises. After that it was a dealer option. There was no other ones built at Hickey. (except for the missing third one.)
My first vehicle was a 1979 Plymouth trailduster. 1979 is the last year of the fully covertible traildusters.
It’s a great look with those tops off! Thanks for watching and for the knowledge!
@CarsShopsAndCollections yes it is. Those metal tops are pretty heavy. Except for the rear hatch. It's made from fiberglass. And the rubber gaskets are pretty expensive now adays too for the top. If you can even get them.
I have a 77 trailduster in my yard. So at least two. Mine need a little work though!
I have a 76 Trailduster 2 wheel drive.
You are incorrect 1980 is the last year of the removable top Trail Duster 81 is the first year of the solid top and the last year of Trail dusters the only year they were made with a hardtop non-removable
My buddy has the Vega and it's really cool. It's in perfect condition and very few miles. I love those colors and shapes.
I was today years old (46) learning about the trail duster.
My first vehicle I ran was a 82 dodge ram charger.
Not a bad first vehicle!! Thanks for watching!
@CarsShopsAndCollections . It was a damn good truck to me.
It didn't give me any problems except for water pump, alternator and just stuff along those lines.
The big issues were my doing. Bent drive shaft on a snowball I thought. Turned out to be a rock in a snowball.
An the fuel tank sprung a leak. Obviously not my doing. Dad and I put a tank all the way in the back. I was 19y at the time and smoke cigarettes and left handed cigarettes.
We always had to wait to air the truck out before lighting anything.
I drove it for around 4 or 5 years and sold it to a buddy for $500. The last I heard he had for a couple years then sold it for $1,000.
82 dodge ram charger 318 no 4x4 plan Jane color burgundy.
Another bud had a old bronco and was always jealous of his top cam off and mine didn't. Lol
I had an 80 Trail Duster with a 360, auto, 4x4 with lockout hubs and absolutely loved it back in 82, it was a good thing that it had a 35 gallon gas tank since my best mpg was 13 highway. 😊
Wow! In some of these comments I’ve heard as low as 8! Thanks for watching!
Gas was eighty cents a gallon then. Back in the eighties my friend had a 79 ram charger,that thing was a tank on wheels.Amazing off road.
Would love to have a replica for a daily driver.
Heck yeah! The looks you would get would be worth it!
Thank you for the great episode! Two very rare rigs right there!
It was pretty cool to see them in person! Thank you for watching!
I had a 75' Trail Duster with a 4-speed manual transmission and a 360 V-8. Full time 4wd. Just what a teenager needed...lol
Sounds like the perfect ride! lol! Thanks for watching!
Love the dash on those things so neat and clean
Yes! Clean and simple! Thanks for watching!
Would be cool, but I'll never have enough for stuff like this. Barely keeping my own truck running right now, but very cool rig.
I appreciate you watching!
I inherited my dad’s 77 Trailduster in this paint scheme so maybe it’s one of one but I distinctly remember it. Had a 440 and as a HS student, I couldn’t afford to drive it much since it got 8mpg. Might want to check the junk yards in North Dakota.
Booking plane ticket now! lol! Thanks for watching!
Hope your channel takes off
Appreciate ya
That’s very kind of you to say.. thanks for watching!
Awesome to see these,I had a 79 trail duster I had bought when I was 17 as my first vehicle,it was in 80 and it was a dealer demo. It was loaded with full power and the cb radio,it also had a pop up sunroof,it was two tone burgundy with chrome wheels. Beautiful truck,but it was not very reliable. I had it until 82,but I did get an 86 ramcharger a few years later that was pretty good. They were some of my all time favorite trucks that i wish I still had.
Thanks for watching and thanks for sharing your car story! We all have that one that got away!
Guys me and JocLand we are from South Australia 🇦🇺 we absolutely loved the power wagon and the TrailDuster Top Hand ❤❤
Nice!! Thank you for watching!!!
Those Cibie lights on the trucks...they get good money. I have a set of the large, rectangular Cibie driving & fog lights (with the parabolic lenses) and was offered $800 per pair.
Part of the Top Hand… they look so cool!
I know- mine are on a Travco 320 my uncle ordered in '75. It arrived in '76, went to Alaska. The lights were installed in Anchorage. The guys were restoring a very famous Corvette race car, that had competed in Europe, started at $1600 for the set. But I shut them down because they are part of that vehicle @@CarsShopsAndCollections
Wow JC! Those two Mopars are beautiful! I will be moving to Pahrump soon, and I need to ship two of my Mopars to a storage facility that can receive them be for I get there. A pro-touring '73 Charger 383 6-pack 5-speed (drivable) A pro-touring '72 Satellite 360 6-pack 5 speed. (not drivable) I googled 24/7 motor coach, but it comes up as a RV repair shop. Can you steer me to an economically priced automobile storage company that can unload the cars for me? Thanks, Steve. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year and thanks for watching! We might have to film you and those cars at some point! So cool! Email me and I can get you in touch with a few people!
Carsshopsandcollections@gmail.com
Great! I wanted to talk to you about filming my cars when I finish the jewel of my collection. It's a '69 Dodge Super Bee street freak gasser inspired by Ed Roth. Has a blown 426 Hemi with zoomies coming out of the fenderwells. A straight axle front end mounted on a 4-link and coil-over shocks. It has the classic old school bass boat fake paint job by House of Kolors. House of Kolors expressed interest in putting it in their SEMA booth with it is finished. I showed Big DaddyDon Garlits two pictures of it and he yelled out... "Oh my God! I want to see this car!"@@CarsShopsAndCollections
Wow beautiful trucks
Sure are! Thanks for watching!
Wish they would bring back the bench seat.
Classic look!
How about a links to purchase the trucks?
Awesome MOPAR HISTORY 😊😎👍✌🤟
Hulk Hogan wants his trucks back
The red & yellow of Hulkamania! 😂
LMAO 😂😅
While i grew up in the time of Hulkamania, please don't insult these trucks like that. 😂🙈
Whatcha gonna do brother?!
@@jonnyonwheels Well bruther! Hogan will be recorded making a sex tape with his friends wife without his knowledge and utter racist remarks on said tape losing his job when it went public, get most of my wealth taken by my wife in a divorce where she was having sex with his sons friend then sue the company responsible making the tape public for many millions of dollars recovering a ton of wealth and going back to work for the wwe after a brief hiatus. Un real
Cool trucks!! The only thing I can guess on the Ramcharger badge on the dash might be that, when you consider the production numbers(36,000 over 6 or 7 years = roughly
6, 250 trucks a year), perhaps the high end a/c trim was only available in Ramcharger badging. Start factoring percentages of how many a year, a/c, full dress trim inside, it's not hard to conceive that the probability is Mopar only did the one trim, & used it on both product lines.
I'm betting Dodge was a higher sales rate to the Plymouth, so the production numbers on the ramchargers could be almost twice what the Plymouth were.
This is something that if you pay attention to, all manufacturers did at some point with similar product lines, car or truck.
Thanks for sharing the video!
Wow! Thanks for the info… it had me stumped when I saw it. Thanks for watching!
Trailduster could have ac too the trailduster sport is equal the adventure se ramcharger
I remember this thing making its rounds in 2020. It’s actually a Ramcharger with Trail Duster emblems. The vin decodes as a Dodge, not a Plymouth.
The trail duster started off life as a ram charger. Hickey was only able to find a ram charger with a 440 and yellow for this build. it was Campaign by Chrysler as a trail duster nobody looking at advertisements knew what the Vin number was. Both are the first prototype of a top hand. Both are the only ones built by hickey. Still 1 of 1
Whiskey has some bad a** nice vehicles in his collection.
Nice trucks
I had the Top Hand step side, my first vehicle. Bought it from my grandpa, it was his ranch truck. I sold it in 2002 for a couple grand to a guy in San Francisco.
Wow! Crazy to think where it is today!
Yes, crazy story the guy ended up living about a mile from my brother in SF and I randomly saw it one time driving through the Sunset District. Hard to miss! 😎👍
BTW, where this one says "Top Hand" above the front wheel wells, mine said "John Deere" but the yellow was painted over it, you could see that the "John Deere" were decals before it was modified to top hand. Mine never had the Top Hand decals above the wheel well but it said it on the tailgate. I also had the matching rims.
Seriously nice trucks! Thanks for sharing. I loved my K5 back in the day.
Thanks for watching!!! We did an episode on a pretty cool K5!
th-cam.com/video/qYuIlKY-ogM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=N6xge3zPCa8lpkbo
These are the best trucks ever
Truly are!!!!
@@CarsShopsAndCollections nothing beats those big three American 70s and 80s graphics on the trucks, especially Mopar stuff. Don’t get me wrong GM has some awesome ones too.
@DennisCollins I bet would love to own that pair. I can remember the advertisement for the truck when I was a kid.
I was thinking the same thing! It could be a Cars, Shops & Collections / Coffee Walk crossover episode!
Once he said "The Mac and cheese look" I can't unsee it now. Other than that, those are beautiful trucks.
Ha ha ha! The description fits… I appreciate you watching!
@@CarsShopsAndCollections The valvetta truck
A beautiful pair of trucks. I had zero clue Dodge ever put the Plymouth name on a truck.
They are pretty special! Thanks for watching!!
Chrysler sold trucks in Canada under the Fargo name.
Im surprised they don't have the radio with built-in CB option. Had one in my 77.
Yeah! That would have been the cherry on top!
nice restoration of the trail duster
Oh, I heard that ring hit the rail bar!! 😢
Oh no! And good ear!
sounds like a little kid,, they made a lot of trail dusters , but one yellow. whoooo
I owned a trail duster. bought it for 300 bucks in 94.
Heck yeah! The Trail Duster and Power Wagon are awesome… but these Top Hands are next level!
`I think a lot of Dodge guys would love to own one of those, wow.
They are so cool!!
Thanks for showing them. Grandpa was a Dodge guy. @@CarsShopsAndCollections
Sick Azz Trucks 🛻 ❤
Indeed!!!
JC flexing for Vegas as usual 😂 Vegas Pride!
This town is filled with incredible cars! It’s a blast tracking them down!
@@CarsShopsAndCollections It's incredible how many places ,from industrial to mountains and everything in-between
Chuck Conners was a major league baseball player.
And basketball at one point!!
My dad had a 76 Trail Duster with the 440 auto and I think it was full time 4x4. All I remember was dad told me to take it out and blow the carbon out of it. The motor was just rebuilt and I mashed the gas and blew both exhaust donuts out of it and spent the rest of the day changing them. It was a total beast and it was all original except the rebuilt motor. Should have kept it. Then later in life I bought an 83 Ramcharger with a built 360. It moved along real nice. Dad's was green like a game Watson's ride lol. Mine was black and was the top edition with the rams head hood ornament. Cool old rides.
Wow! Just a had a flashback to those hood ornaments! I appreciate you watching… I enjoy that this show brings back memories for so many!
Wow, how cool are these trucks, I remember watching Chuck Connor's shows as a young fella in Australia. But there'll only be one Duke! Thanks for posting JC, Happy New Year mate.
😎👍
Happy New Year! Chuck had a hug following! As always… thank you for all the support!
Trivia Fact: "The Duke" John Waynes real name was Marion Robert Morrison
@@ramman871 Yeah, I knew that. 👍
1977 was a messed up year for the Trail Duster. It was full time 4 wheel drive with front axles that you couldn't change the hubs
1980 was the last year for poptops
I really like the paint scheme on those trucks. It makes me wonder how it would look on my '99 Dodge dually, though with them being the 2 generation's styling being completely different, it probably wouldn't look as good on mine.
Hmmmm…. It’s worth a try! lol!
You wouldn't have to match it 1:1, take the theme and match it to the body lines on your truck instead. That would look rad as hell
*I bet the Trailduster by Hickey was used at the major manufacturer auto shows around the country* Be interesting to check out historical photos from 1976-77 US auto shows, I bet you'd see it show up in pics!
Great idea!!!
I owned one of the Top Hand Plymouth traildusters in 1992
I was 23,24 ish years old and unfortunately for me it got repoed
Saddest loss in my life
I had just got out of the army and had just started driving 18 wheelers
I wonder where that TD is today?? Thanks for watching and thank you for your service!
I’d luv to have either. Especially the Duster /Ram Charger for family nostalgia. Would make an offer… but my pockets ain’t that deep
Very cool Dodges !!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for watching! Truly are!
@@CarsShopsAndCollections your welcome ole buddy .
Hickey parts were used to make Rocky's truck in "The Rockford Files".
Once owned a Plymouth trailduster/prospector sport with a 440. Nice rig 77 or 78 if I remember right
I used to own a 77 Ram Charger with the removable roof , I loved it but mine didn't have a 440 I had an under powered 318 .Sadly these vehicles rusted out pretty quick and the body went before I ever got the idea to upgrade to larger drive line .
I've always thought how cool the Ramcharger was for being rare... until today. Just found out about the Trail Duster... god damn
Right?!?!? Crazy!
Hats off to 'Whiskey'. He's a smart man! FJB!
🙄🙄🙄🙄
I’d love to own something like this but I’m not sure I’d have the guts to drive it
We were getting some looks during our ride along!
That's a beautiful MOPAR ! OLDYELLA 😂
The blazer went to a half to. The ramcharger and trail.duster were full top removable until the redesign in 83
1980 was the last year of the "pop top" RC & TD. After that the tops didn't come off, unlike the half top Blazers and Broncos. I daily drive a 79 RC.
There were also more than one Top Hand made by Hickey. Unfortunately, they didn't really keep records but there are a few out there in not so great condition.
I had a 1980 Ramcharger SE with the spare tire on the back swing out rack.
Classic look!!
had a 77 Trailduster great truck wish I had never sold it
We all have that one that got away…. Thanks for sharing and watching!
Dodge vans had steps that auto magically came down when you opened the passenger door in the side starting in the Early 60s
Right on! Thanks for the info… the one on the Trail Duster works like it’s brand new!
Very cool trucks , I haven’t seen any Plymouth trail dusters in the top hand , but they definitely made the top hand in the Ramcharger . The Plymouth might be a 1of 1 but the top hand in the ramcharger is out there .
Thanks for watching! I now want to find a Ram Charger Top Hand!.. that would make a great episode!
this trailduster started off as a ramcharger because it was the only 440 yellow Hickey could find in inventory. it was a prototype so it didnt really matter.
These both are prototypes. Both built in 1977. These are the first top hands ever made. The trail duster started off as a ram charger was sent to Hickey Enterprises, who changed the badging, and the Grill to have it represented as a trail duster for Chrysler and their promotional use.
these are both 1 of 1 prototypes the only ones ever built at Hickey and only 1977s. not the only tophands. the video is all about these 1977s.
The Trail Duster could be custom ordered similar to the Ramcharger but gave no advantage. Most were sold off the lot.
We’re all those is trailer and rvs ? That’s insane if so. Also is that a business or his personal warehouse ?
It’s a storage warehouse in Las Vegas…all those cars belong to different owners. Could spend days there!
Awesome
Not the only one ever built I still have the 440 from the one I used to own. Now it might be the only one left but, not the only one that was out here. I also still have the back hatch ,roll bar and various small parts
Yours was a 77 top hand?
show us your 77 top hand built at Hickey ent!
That is insane! I'm not a huge fan of the color, but they are beautiful trucks! That is insane 1 of 1! I need to be friends with this guy, if for no other reason than his name is Whiskey 😂
1 of 1! Crazy! The colors just pop when you see them in person… And it was the 70’s! 😂
@@CarsShopsAndCollections yeah the 70s weren't shy 🤣
Not a 1 0f 1 tho there are others, this is also technically not a TD it came off the assembly line as a ramcharger hence why the vin still comes back to a ramcharger, and why it has dodge badging and ramcharger grill this is just a prototype, 202 of theses prototypes were made from my understanding, there are quite a few ppl who own theses still
Also whisky is a douche bag, ppl have tryed to correct him on his misinformation of this vehicle and his response to them is I don’t fucking care, and you are poor
shots on me, any time lol
That’s how I set my Ramcharger up winch control in cab from driver seat, I had several trail Dusters, i figured they made more of the. As lots around my area 25 years ago, I had 74,75,76,79 trail Duster and one 85 Ramcharger,
You have a storied history with these! Thanks for watching!!
Nice trucks!
My brother had a 76 Trail Duster and it said Ram charger on the dash as well I think they all did my dad was a complete Dodge nut grew up with Dodge trucks know them very well
Ah ha! Thanks for sharing… it had me stumped!
That's a tough problem to have a GTO pink slip and not even know what car or where it is you have so many. A lot of people don't realize Chuck Conner's was also a Boston Celtic and a Brooklyn Dodger at one time.
Holy Smokes! I just looked that up… that’s wild
Amazing! 🤟🏻