Conversation Starter
Dodge’s “Adult Toys” included L’il Red Truck Story and photos by John Gunnell
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n 1979, Dodge carried forward its line of trucks known as “Adult Toys.” These models included the Street Van, the Warlock, the Macho Power-Wagon and the 4x4 Macho Ramcharger. Joining them for its second year was the L’il Red Express Truck (according to its door decals) or L’il Red Truck (according to lettering on the tailgate). Built on Dodge’s 115-in. wheelbase, the L’il Red Express Truck was a half-ton pickup with “pontoon” rear fenders (which Dodge called Utiline styling). This limited-production pickup was designed to be a conversation starter and traffic builder in Dodge showrooms. All L’il Red Express Trucks were powered by a high-output 360-cid four-barrel “Police” V8. This engine featured Super Flow cylinder heads, a police-type 252-degree camshaft (with 33 degrees of overlap), heavy-duty valve springs, a Thermo-Quad four-barrel carburetor, a cold air induction system and large diameter dual exhausts. The engine had chrome-plated valve covers, a chrome air cleaner with L’il Red Truck decals and chrome-plated vertical exhaust stacks running up behind the cab on each side. A performance-modified Mopar A-727 automatic transmission was attached behind the heated-up engine and drove to a 9.25inch rear axle with 3.55:1 gears. The Dodge L’il Red Express Truck was road tested by Hot Rod Magazine as well as by Car and Driver. It was found to be the fastest American vehicle at speeds up to 100 mph. The pre-production test truck did the standing-start quarter mile in 14.7 secs. at 93 mph and had a top speed of 118.8 mph. 38 Trucks Plus MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2022
The dual stacks got one owner incorrectly nicked for equipment violation.
