The Mighty Dodge D-OneFiddy

[A12pilot]

The year was 1989. The 80s crazy hairspray rock bands and tube socks to your knees was about to come to an end (thankfully). The trucks back then were the last of the holdouts to the earlier days: vent windows, big exterior ornaments, mouldings, and badges were still envouge. Even dog-dish hubcaps were still standard! I stumbled across this 1989 D150 and had to snatch it up.

So what's a certified car nut to do with a truck like this? Simple! Start looking for paperwork and markings like I'd do on any classic. This truck is extremely rare so finding paperwork to back the provenance of this classic is a must. After all, it is one of only 195,000 Rams made that year. It's also highly optioned being a power window, lock, and carpet delete model. And, new for 1989: clearcoat paint! Yes, this truck has it all. No wonder you see so many on the road! ABS, Airbags, Traction Control, CD player?* Fear not!! They are there too.... on other cars. 65,000 original miles show that not only was this truck used sparingly, it's lack of comfort/power/convenience really made it a worthwhile investment to drive around. And the 90mph speedometer shows that long, high-speed highway cruising should best be avoided on today's busy thoroughfares. The venerable 318 featured TBI injection, a first for that year, which was good for a reality bending 190hp and 225 ft/lbs of torque. Yes, floor it, and the Earth will lose a second of time struggling to rotate against that kind of force.

A quick tilt of the reat seat reveals the mint Broadcast Sheet tucked in the springs. Why is it no matter what kind of car you have, when you find this thing you really think you hit paydirt?* Are we all that dorky? Don't answer that. But this one was really cool since it ous folded up so perfectly and still held together on the perferations with a carbon sheet in between!* The result? Two perfect copies. So what do all the codes mean? No longer do you have to Google it or ask your buddy's buddy who knows everything. Just turn the sheet over and they are all spelled out! CL7 Cargo Light option? Oh... It's there... and that's about it. The coveted Fender Tag on our Mopars moved to a sticker placed on the lip of the underside of the hood. A quick wipe with some cleaning solvent takes care of any additional information one may need.

The original manuals still in the glove box with the same style of clear plastic sleeve that my 69 Super Bee had. And.... the Harrison A/C sticker that gets put on the driver's side door was still in the envelope.... unused! I'm telling you... where do I start the bidding at??

It's such a cool truck and the funny thing is I have gotten more horn honks and thumbs up from people in the last few days than I've gotten with my other classics I've had. Now, yes, they're from truck drivers that have been up for 14hrs and lawn service crews, but still!

For now, Old Blue as she's affectionately known around here,* will stay stock. But what's in the future? Nothing. You can't improve on such perfection!!

Cheers
Dave