1989 Dodge Dakota Shelby

Description

The 1989 Dodge Dakota Shelby was a single-year offering... oh yeah. That means you have a legendary name, V8 power, and one of the most exclusive packages around. So you know this kind of affordable price means the market hasn't fully discovered these...yet.

We can't help but think that Dodge knew 30+ what kind of classics we'd really want today. After all, there are plenty of us who'd rather have a truck or SUV if we could only drive one vehicle, and so that preference also creates the same kind of desire in classics. So there's serious appeal in a pickup blessed by Carroll Shelby. And carrying an iconic name/badging name is far from its only exterior appeal. The factory white paint was resprayed later in life to make sure it remains a crisp and clean way to present the dark side. The black grille, fender flares, bumpers, and 15-inch alloys provide a tasteful contrast. We particularly like the full stripe package that stars gray and fades to black on the hood and sides. Bed bars, fog lights, and bright dual exhaust tips also add to the sporty style. And if the full package didn't already make the desirability as clear as black and white, the rarity certainly will. The production is said to have been limited to 1500 examples, and that figure gets even rarer to about 500 born in white like this.

The interior is a time capsule-like style, and there's a good reason for that. This is a two-owner truck where the first owner kept it for 30 years. So in those first few decades when other vehicles may get used and abused in the daily grind, this was a southern truck under the care of its first owner. So you can still see terrific details in this clean interior, like Shelby cloth inserts in the seats and doors. When you do decide to add miles to this one, it also just makes for a comfortable cruiser. Features like air conditioning, a fold-down armrest, and sliding rear glass are nice to have. The Shelby sports steering wheel feels grippy in your hands, and it gives you a nice view of the full gauge package.

The Dakota Shelby was a true revolution when it debuted. The V8 was the top-dog powerhouse for these smaller trucks. But Shelby American took a lesson from the Cobra and used V8 power to really move a smaller/lighter machine. They fit Mopar's famous 5.2-liter/318 cubic-inch V8 now with factory fuel injection. It looks quite stock, but there are some key upgrades key eyes can spot. The tags show that this is a fresher Jasper rebuilt V8, and it now has headers feeding into the full dual exhaust. It makes for a strong runner with a nice tune. The four-speed automatic transmission is also a Jasper unit, and so it adds to the confidence of taking trips near or far. Power steering, power brakes, and front discs are also part of what makes this a good all-around solid cruiser.

You can tell this pickup has been under good care. The level of preservation and investment means it doesn't even look like it has done its full believed actual odometer. That makes for an impressive presentation to quite a rare pickup. That's why you know it's irresistible at this price. Call today!!!