Li'l Red Express: Opinions?

[Mopar2Ya]

I've been looking for a nice Mopar driver while I wait to get my Charger repainted/restored. I prefer a B or E body, but haven't been able to find a clean driver for under ~$10k(I know that's very low figure, but times are tough.) I don't want anything that needs to be repainted. I can find a LRE for under $10k. They only made ~2500 in '78 & ~5000 in '79. I really don't want to spend the $, but would like a head turner for this summer. Are prices higher at Carlisle or Nats? Opinions? 

[WingCharger]

I am biased, but GET IT!

Lil' Red Express trucks are AWESOME!!

Do you have one found to buy, or wondering where to find one?

[Mopar2Ya]

I am biased, but GET IT!

Lil' Red Express trucks are AWESOME!!

Do you have one found to buy, or wondering where to find one?

I have found a few, but if anybody knows of one for sale that's great too. I'd luv to lower one & throw in a stroker, but $ is an object. 

[Ghoste]

The car corrals at any of the larger shows tend to have much higher asking prices.  Not unlike the swap meets at those events, the sellers seem to feel that having a captive audience means start really high.  Not all of them, but the overall trend is certainly that.

[hemi24]

here one for sale out of wichita ks..
1978 Lil Red Express - $3500 (Wichita)
http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/1049205568.html

[Mopar2Ya]

here one for sale out of wichita ks..
1978 Lil Red Express - $3500 (Wichita)
http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/1049205568.html

I appreciate the link.  The problem is the LRE isn't worth much so to have to repaint/restore would cost more than it's worth(though this maybe fact of most resto's). I have been using http://www.craigshelper.com/  to search craiglist. I found a decent looking LRE in GA for $5k, but the seller refused to get the VIN(to verify it was a LRE) or to verify the engine being orig. I have had a hard time getting honest answers from several sellers. 

[adrian1]

The stacks just make the truck, distinguishes from all others.

[tan top]

this might be of intrest to some , remember reading about Li'l red expresses years ago ..no one ever found a broadcast sheet in one ,  well one guy was cutting up a really rotted one & foung the trucks broadcast sheet in the trans crossmember or something 

[Old Moparz]

I like the Red Express & 2 friends of mine each have a '79 in nice shape. One is the original owner of his & the truck had under 25,000 miles last I knew.

When you say you want one as a driver, do you mean as a daily driver? One thing to keep in mind, these are "old trucks" without many creature comforts. I don't want to ride in either of them on a hot day. There's not much to deaden road noise, the black vinyl interior gets pretty damn hot too. As a cruiser it's cool, but the old trucks aren't like the trucks they've been building in the last 15 years.

[Mopar2Ya]

this might be of intrest to some , remember reading about Li'l red expresses years ago ..no one ever found a broadcast sheet in one ,  well one guy was cutting up a really rotted one & foung the trucks broadcast sheet in the trans crossmember or something 

Hmmm... interesting. 

[Mopar2Ya]

I like the Red Express & 2 friends of mine each have a '79 in nice shape. One is the original owner of his & the truck had under 25,000 miles last I knew.

When you say you want one as a driver, do you mean as a daily driver? One thing to keep in mind, these are "old trucks" without many creature comforts. I don't want to ride in either of them on a hot day. There's not much to deaden road noise, the black vinyl interior gets pretty damn hot too. As a cruiser it's cool, but the old trucks aren't like the trucks they've been building in the last 15 years.

I do have other vehicles I could drive if needed. My Jeep stays on the road. I'm looking for a kool change up from the modern ride. I only put 4k miles on my current DD a yr. I haven't enjoyed my Charger in over 10yrs. 
The state of the economy right now is holding me back.

[Ghoste]

That makes sense about broadcast sheets being in the trans X-member.  I'm only speculating here but if the box was the last thing to go on and with no options really once the cab was dropped, that would be an easy place to stick the thing prior to the box going on.

[ACUDANUT]

 Too bad that were not 4x4's. 

[Mopar2Ya]

Too bad that were not 4x4's. 

Yeah, if they were I could drive it yr round. Maybe I need a Macho PW? Too many kool Mopars, & too little $. 

[694spdRT]

You could get a 4wd Warlock if you like the stepside beds. They came with engines all the way up to a 440 too. 

[69bronzeT5]

It could just be me but Li'l Red Express' do nothing for me. I'm not saying they aren't cool trucks but I just don't like them enough to own one.

[Mopar2Ya]

It could just be me but Li'l Red Express' do nothing for me. I'm not saying they aren't cool trucks but I just don't like them enough to own one.

All the old Mopar trucks are growing on me. I really wanted a car, but there are so many rot boxes compared to LRE's.

[hemi68charger]

I have owned two Lil' Reds and love them.. I would get one in a heartbeat if one stubbles around my path and I don't need the money to go somewhere else.. They are so cool on a cool morning when the vapor from the exhaust tips stream back...

[Magnumcharger]

Ditto...I had a '79 L'il Red Express back in the early 1990's...and absolutely loved it!!
E58 360...255hp I believe (could be wrong), with 3:55 gears made for one screamin' truck! Had a great sound, and with the short wheelbase, it felt just like my old 70 Cuda.
Even came with a tough-grip wheel.
Buy - buy - buy!

Here are some pictures...not my truck...but cool none the less!
(All taken by me at various car shows last summer)

[Magnumcharger]

A few more...

[Magnumcharger]

Two more.

[Mopar2Ya]

Awesome pics. 
I luv the ME. I read on Moparts that the Midnight Express was an add-on package, so it isn't identifiable by the VIN#? 

[ACUDANUT]

 Hey, is that ZZ Top eating a bannana ??

[Magnumcharger]

Hey, is that ZZ Top eating a bannana ??

You mean the picture of Billy Gibbons?
Possibly.