Ragtop Dakota's

[Ghoste]

Does anybody on here own one and what can you tell me about them as far as collectability and things to watch out for?

[motorcitydak]

From what I remember, they were only build with Gen I's, 91 and older. Those old things had TBI at best or carbs in the early years. Its old under powered gas crunch era cars that are falling apart rite now. A decent one would more likely be a personal thing, they are not very popular with collectors. I think Shelby had his hand in some of em tho, that would make it better.


Found this place tho   http://www.dakotaconvertible.com/truck.html

[Ghoste]

Okay thanks.  I know where one is sitting and I thought it might be a possible candidate for flipping.  Maybe it's best left just sitting.

[b5blue]

I always thought it would be a fun truck here in Fl.

[Arthu®]

That is the most ridiculous idea for a truck ever, but I like it. It's odd, I wouldn't mind owning that truck, although I really have no use for a truck.

Arthur

[71_Charger_R/T]

Ghoste, I have one. Mine's an '89 of which there were 2,843 built. My brother has a '90 of which there were 1,013 built. The brother I used to have has an 89 also, it is a two wheel drive , my good brother's and mine are 4x4s.  I'll say they are gutless pigs with the automatic but a little snappier with the stick. On the road they get decent mileage but in town they suck it down like a sailor on shore leave. They do hold a little more value than the regular Dakotas , but not akin to a Superbird.   They are a hoot to drive. They get a lot of looks from people and the 4x4s make good plow trucks (no blind spots)    I wouldn't buy one as an investment but if you want another unique vehicle in your arsenal they fit the bill. BTW... Carrol Shelby had no involvement with the converts in '89 (I wish he did) but he did build the first V8 (318) Dakotas available. (now they had some snort!) Any other info you would like, just let me know and I'll do my best.
Here's a snap of my convert.

[Ghoste]

No I wouldn't be buying it as an investment.  I just wanted toflip it but if there isn't a strong interest in them or if they are a problem prone thing I didn't want to get into a headache just to make a couple of dimes.

[b5blue]

What are price ranges and options (cheap end)?  I always thought they were a good candidate for a power swap.

[moparstuart]

What are price ranges and options (cheap end)?  I always thought they were a good candidate for a power swap.

I'd love to have one , and then clone it to a shelby convertible truck 

[b5blue]

Long ago my buddy had a LUV with a Vett. 327 in it.........what a wild ride! 

[RD]

i had one, sold it to my mother in law, they just got done restoring it.  it will be on the mopar cruise next year stu for you to oggle at

[motorcitydak]

I have seen good condition models sell for $5-6,000. They are relatively light weight. The first gen was never offered with a v8, but they are for sure fun with more power. My 96 has a lot more weight on it than it started with but it still moves really well with 400hp, even with my heavy 3 foot tall tires

[b5blue]

Thanks! 

[Silver R/T]

Interesting, never seen one like that.

[A383Wing]

Shelby with a Hemi out here

[RD]

holy cow!!! i bet that thing just scoots!!!

[b5blue]

Yea that...in a rag-top...would be a riot!

[moparstuart]

Yea that...in a rag-top...would be a riot!

now i have a plan LOL

[71_Charger_R/T]

I have seen good condition models sell for $5-6,000. They are relatively light weight. The first gen was never offered with a v8, but they are for sure fun with more power. My 96 has a lot more weight on it than it started with but it still moves really well with 400hp, even with my heavy 3 foot tall tires

The first gen's were offered with a V8 in '89..... The Shelby!  1500 of them! But if you were referring to the converts.... yes you are correct.  the Shelby dakotas had to have the radiator fans mounted in front of the radiator and push air thru since there wasn't enough room between the motor and rad. Then in '91 they changed the radiator core support and hood as well as the grille to stretch another 6" of room to accommodate the V8 more readily.

[covet66]

Had an '89 with the V6- gutless. Drove a 318 one for a bit- plenty of power. Do like the convertible.

[66chargerkid]

[moparstuart]

wow someone beat me too it

[motorcitydak]

Figures that after talking about it I would see one on the road. Saw this yesterday on the way in to work. It was a 4x4 and I know the guy driving it. He is the owner of B&G Performance in Warren, Mi. He is a whiz with these new fangled  ECM's. He tuned up a computer I was using to run my 5.7 Hemi

[66chargerkid]

wow someone beat me too it

Naw its just paint and a decal. Nothing else was swapped over.

[66chargerkid]

More of the Hemi Dak :thumb: