Is For Sale
Photos were taken 7/11/18
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Mostly Original and Mint care taken of it
51,000 Miles
Cold Factory AC
Dodge made sure that the Lil Red Express would perform like no other. Right from the factory it came with the E58 police package 360 engine.
Here is a list of factory-installed goodies and statistics on the 1978 and 1979 Lil red express truck
- Lil Red Express rolled out in March 1978
- Lil Red Express Had a production number of 2,188 for 1978 & 5,188 for 1979
- Lil Red Express had a short wheel base (115 inch)
- Lil Red Express had a gross vehicle weight of 6,100 pounds
- Lil Red Express had a 360 V8 with a 850 cfm carter thermo-quad four barrel carburetor
- Lil Red Express truck came Equipped with:
- E58 Police Engine
- Super flow Heads
- a police cam
- Heavy duty Valve Springs
- Cold Air Induction
- Dual-Snorkel Air Intake
- Dual Exhaust
- Came with A-727 Torqueflite Transmission 2500 stall converter
- The 1979 Lil Red Express included a Catalytic Converter
- The 1979 had the Flat Hood
- The 1979 Lil Red Express truck this year came with dual square headlights
- Also, you could Find These Goodies on the Lil Red Express Truck:
- Gold pin striping decals on the Doors & Tailgate
- Oak body trim panels
- Chrome Exhaust Tips
- Chrome Valve Cover
- Chrome Air Cleaner Cover
- Chrome Side Bed Steps
- Stainless Steel Heat Shield
- The Lil Red Express Truck also got about 13 miles to the gallon
- Dodge said it was the Fastest American Production vehicle for 1978
- The Lil red truck had 225 Horsepower-3 Speed Automatic Transmission
- 9¼ inch Rear End with Sure-Grip Differential & 3.55:1 Rear Gears
- Rear Stabilizer Bar
- Power Front Disc Brakes/Drums on Back
The 1978s are faster, more rare and far more desirable than the 1979s.
This is what I know about this particular mint truck:
About 12 years ago, I met a preacher in North Texas who was Little Red Express fanatic. He had two, and wanted to sell one of them. One was a non AC model with red seats, carpet and door panels for $22,000, and this far far nicer one for $40,000. I couldn’t justify paying $40K, and bought the not near as nice one.
Two years later, a lady who worked for the preacher and handle many of his personal affairs called to say that the preacher was terminally ill with cancer, and came down on the price to me because he wanted me to have, before putting on eBay. I bought the truck (about ten years ago) and sold the non AC truck to my son.
The preacher was too ill to meet with me, but the time before when I bought the other truck, he told me the truck was original and that held bought about 15 years prior from the original owner – and had rarely driven it. I asked if the wood was original, and he said he was told it was, but I questioned it being too nice. He said the original owner never drove it in the rain, and it spent every night of it life in a garage. This preacher had a huge beautiful home (preaching was very good to him I guess) and the garage that only this truck was kept in was the Taq Mahal of garages. I too have driven this truck very little, and it is stored a nice garage in a flannel lined custom cover that comes with the truck.
Because the Preacher hadn’t driven the last couple of years of his life, I had to do a little work to get it to run as great as it does.
While I really couldn’t verify all that I was told, I’d given the truck a though going over prior to buying it, and believe the flawless paint is original, as is the interior. The underside also made me feel the truck is an original low mileage truck, and not restored or ever wrecked.
I replaced the dealer installed non-Mopar (very common in 1978) radio Zenith radio/8-track with a rebuilt (and bluetooth added) Mopar Infinity stereo from late 90s and early 00s. It runs and drives great, and the only thing I know wrong with it is the speedometer runs about 20mph fast. it says you’re doing 80 when you’re doing 60.
About four years ago, my son sold me his truck back after it had been neglected so he could buy an engagement ring. I got it running right, polished it up and sold it to a guy in New Zealand two years ago for $28,000. He begged me to sell him this one for $35,000, but I wasn’t ready to sell. Now in retirement, I’m selling half of my 31 cars, trucks and motorcycles to make life simpler. I checked Hemmings.com and there are 8 LREs currently for sale, and the 79s not as nice as this rarer 78 are asking high $30s.
A fair, no haggle, quick sale price is $35,000 – the price I’d already turned down. So I’m not going to start at $40K and haggle down to $35k, but instead say the price is $35K firm – because soon (when I get some share time), I’ll blitz advertise this truck on Old Cars Trader, Racing Junk, EBay, Hemmings…
If you’re interested, email me at Davetheoldhippie @ gmail.com.
There are a few things only that I’d be interested in considering as a partial trade. Click here for the list. Do not call me with your brilliant idea on how to sell for me. I will hang up and block you.
