First Muscle Car

[GROCERYGETTER]

I went to Barnes & Noble and consulted "Dodge Pickup Trucks" by Steve Statham. On page 58 he states that in 64 and 65 a D100, D200, W100, W200 could be ordered with a 426 Wedge if you ordered the Custom Sports Special package. Among other options the Custom Sports Special package included bucket seats and a console.

So a hemi wasn't availiable in 65, but I stand by my statement that Ma sold the first Muscle Trucks.

[Doug Wilson]

Far be it from me to argue, but I believe one could get the big block frood in a truck as early as 1958.

[Eric Strong]

I went to the library yesterday and retrieved that article on the first muscle truck. Acording to Hot Rod "It took Dodge to whip up the Custom Sports Special, the worlds first big-block muscletruck, based on the 122-inch wheelbase D100. Raiding the corporate parts bin, the package included Dart GT bucket seats, a 63 Polara 500 floor console, and an optional 365hp 426 Street Wedge. Unique features included an actual Steward-Warner in-dash tach (426 models only). A chrome grille, and four 1-inch racing stripes covering the hood, cowl, and roof. Though 140hp Slant Sixes and 200hp Poly 318 engines were also available, only the 426 required dual exhaust, power steering, a push button automatic Loadflite transmission, 3.91:1 gears, Sure-Grip, and rear-axle trackion struts."
Quote from Hot Rod July 02 issue.

Quick Claims Adjuster!!

[Doug Wilson]

Well... I don't know how they define muscle truck, but what I do know is that my Dad bought a brand new, big block Ford pickup in 1960. Now, it didn't have buckets or a console, but I know that we don't use those items to define a muscle car. The truck did have a 4 barrel and dual exhausts, though.

So, I guess it depends on whether you are trying to prove a specific point, or not. Journalists can also have agendas.

[Eric Strong]

Well Doug if your Dad bought a 60 ferd with a big block, that makes them first ( your word is good enough for me ). Just one question, how much muscle did that ferd have, do you remember?
Was it big muscle or just big block? ops thats two questions, while I might as well make it three. What size engine did it have?
curious!

Quick Claims Adjuster!!!

[GaryS]

According to Edmund's history of the F-series trucks, here is the engine lineup from the time they introduced an OHV V8.

1954-239cid, 130hp
1959-292cid, 186hp
1965-352cid, 208hp
1968-360cid and 390cid, no hp figures given

I think that pretty well covers the era being discussed

[*Mopar*]

Doug,

Well if it was a 1960, not a 60's something, and it was a V-8. It would have been a 292. later on in the 60's it could have been a 354, a 360 or a 390. Don't know if they ever put a 427 or 428 in a truck. But if so it would have been around 67-69. Then in the 70's they changed to the 460. Don't know if they ever used the 429 in a truck.

So back to 1960. The 292 was not a real proformance eng. It was a good V-8 just not a proformanc one, especily in the trucks.

BTW. The 292, 354, 360, 390, 428, 427( maybe 1 or 2 more can't remember) are all in the same family.

Stoney

[GROCERYGETTER]

I suspect that Doug has a few years on me but from my standpoint up until sometime around the Lil Red Express years trucks were work vehicles. In 1964 a 426 w/buckets and a console = performance, at least in the image catagory. I'm not a brand Mopar only guy. I also acknowledge 67 Mustangs and 65 Impalas have a right to exist.

I also believe Elvis probley isnt coming back.

[GaryS]

Don't forget Dodge's first entry into the sporty truck world. They grafted the fins and tailgate from a stationwagon onto the box of the '57 1/2 ton pickup and called it a "Sweptside". Chevy also had one during that era called the Cameo Carrier.

[GROCERYGETTER]

I forgot about the Cameos. Those were good looking trucks. Ive seen several at shows, never seen one on the road. I have never seen a Sweptside, must be pretty rare.

[Eric Strong]

Originally posted by GROCERYGETTER
I suspect that Doug has a few years on me but from my standpoint up until sometime around the Lil Red Express years trucks were work vehicles. In 1964 a 426 w/buckets and a console = performance, at least in the image catagory. I'm not a brand Mopar only guy. I also acknowledge 67 Mustangs and 65 Impalas have a right to exist.

I also believe Elvis probley isnt coming back.

The same article - The Other Ram Rods - aslo includes a story on the 1978/79 Li'L Red Express Truck: 360CI/220HP.

And the 1989 Shelby V-8 Dakota: 318CI/175HP Mo and Mo power!

Quick Claims Adjuster!!!

[ClassicDodge]

I'm not going to get into this one because I really don't know what engines came in trucks, even for Fords. I just wanted to clarify that the 292 isn't in the same family as the 352-427. The 292 is a Y-Block along with a 272 and 312. The FE's were originated off of the Y-Block however, if that is what you were meaning *Mopar*. The FE's consisted of the 332, 352, 360, 390, 410, 427, and 428. They stopped putting the Y-Blocks in cars in.... 1962 I think but I'm not sure about trucks like I stated before.

I know of a few people who had stock Ford trucks with 390's back in the day and they told me they would haul butt but I don't think any of those could compare to the one that Eric talked about. This just all falls back on how people define muscle cars/trucks. Something that people will disagree on probably for ages.

[*Mopar*]

ClassicDodge,

I stand corrected. You are correct about the 292. I allways thought it was. However, I did some reading and found out different. Also it should read 352 not 354.

Stoney

[ClassicDodge]

Don't worry Stoney, I thought the same thing a while back. I thought Y-Blocks were the same as FE's until my dad set me straight. lol
They both have a cylinder block design that extends below the crankshaft center line so in a way you're right. They kind of are in the same family.

[Doug Wilson]

OK, guys - I believe all of you. I checked with my brother, who is 10 years older than I, and he says that the engine was a 352, and it said "Interceptor" on the air cleaner and valve covers. At the time, my Dad was an exec for a major Ford supplier, so maybe he had it built. On the other hand, my brother and I could both be wrong.