[PxTx]

I think articles written around this type of info is where the urban legends start.

1976-79 Chevy Big 10

Though General Motors offered a number of special edition pickups during the 1970s, including the Beau James, the Gentleman Jim and the Amarillo, the Chevrolet Big 10 ranks as the most recognizable of the bunch. While a 110hp straight-six powered the base Big 10, buyers could order a 165hp 350-cu.in. V-8 with a four-speed or a 245hp 454-cu.in. V-8 with the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic transmission. The Big 10 with the big-block and the automatic nearly shamed the 1976 Corvette that year, clocking an 8.9-second 0-60 mph time and a 16.9-second quarter-mile, 0.8 seconds and 0.4 seconds, respectively, behind the Corvette. A beefed F44 chassis handled the optional extra power and tape stripes and decals identified the pickup from the outside.


Dodge Li'l Red Express - Dodge built this limited production high perfomance pickup in 1978 and 1979. It started as a short wheelbase, step-side pickup. A special 360 cubic inch V-8 engine was added, producing 225 hp at 3800 rpm, and 295 lb/ft of torque at 3200 rpm. This engine was backed by a modified LoadFlite automatic transmission with a shift kit and high stall torque converter, mated to a 3.55:1 Sure Grip rear end. Hot Rod Magzine reported a 14.7 second quarter-mile at 93 mph. These trucks are rare, however, with only 2,188 shipped during 1978 and 5,118 in 1979. The 6100-lb truck was the fastest American produced vehicle to 100 mph in 1978. The wheels are chrome five-slot disc road wheels, 15x7-inches up front, and 15x8 at the rear (1979 models used 15x8 wheels all around). Available only in Canyon Red with an array of custom accents, including dual mufflers with chrome-plated vertical tailpipes (behind the cab) with heat shields, chrome-plated valve covers, chrome-plated air-cleaner cover, chrome-plated side steps, an oak utiline body-side and tailgate body trim panels with chrome-headed bolts, and gold decals on the tailgate and doors reading "Li'l Red Express."