The Dodge Li’l Red Express was a performance-focused pickup sold for the 1978 and 1979 model years, built on a D-series/Utiline truck foundation and distinguished by tall chrome exhaust stacks. Its special 360-cubic-inch V8 and period-test performance made it an unusual bright spot in late-1970s American performance—but claims about how fast it was depend on the test and measure.
Here are ten grounded facts about what made the truck distinctive, what changed between its two model years, and what the available histories can—and cannot—confirm.
![Hot Wheels 1978 Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck, HW Hot Trucks 10/10 [White] 173/250](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516vR1gPEBL._SL160_.jpg)
![Hot Wheels, 2015 HW Workshop, '78 Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck [White] Die-Cast Vehicle #215/250](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AqyA7nEiL._SL160_.jpg)
1. It was a pickup, not a separate car model
The Li’l Red Express was a specially equipped Dodge pickup based on the D-series/Utiline platform, not a stand-alone passenger-car model. Its identity came from its performance-focused equipment and distinctive appearance, including its red finish, wood bed trim, and chrome exhaust stacks.
2. It was sold for two model years
Dodge offered the Li’l Red Express for 1978 and 1979. Published secondary-source production figures report 2,188 trucks for 1978 and 5,118 for 1979, for a reported total of 7,306. These are reported counts from automotive references, not manufacturer-verified totals located in this research.
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![Matchbox Hot Wheels 1978 Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck, HW Celebration Racers 3/10 [red] 53/250](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/419L0q-qlKL._SL160_.jpg)
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3. Its special 360 V8 was rated at 225 net horsepower
The 1978 truck used a special EH1 360-cubic-inch four-barrel V8. Dodge truck references and Hagerty report an output of 225 net horsepower; the specialist reference gives that figure at 3,800 rpm. Published accounts differ on torque, so a single torque figure should not be treated as settled without stronger documentation.
4. The drivetrain paired the V8 with an automatic and 3.55 gearing
The reported 1978 setup paired the EH1 engine with a three-speed automatic transmission, identified in the specialist reference as a 727 TorqueFlite, and a 3.55:1 rear axle ratio. Those details help describe the truck’s configuration, but they do not by themselves establish a universal acceleration result.
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5. A named period test recorded a 15.71-second quarter-mile
HOT ROD recounts that its June 1978 test of a production Li’l Red Express recorded a quarter-mile run of 15.71 seconds at 88.06 mph. Those are results from that magazine test, not guaranteed performance for every truck or every test condition.
6. The “fastest” claim needs a measure and attribution
Broad claims that the Li’l Red Express was simply “the fastest vehicle” of its day overstate what the available evidence establishes. Hagerty describes the 1978 truck as the fastest domestic vehicle to 100 mph. Keep that claim tied to Hagerty’s stated 0–100 mph measure rather than presenting it as an unqualified comparison with every car, truck, or test.
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7. The 1978 and 1979 versions differed in emissions equipment
Automotive histories describe the 1978 version as having no catalytic converter. They report that the 1979 version added a catalytic converter and required unleaded fuel. Requirements and explanations are simplified differently across secondary sources, so it is safer to describe the equipment change than to claim a single, fully documented regulatory loophole as the cause.
8. Details changed between model years
Comparison guides note year-to-year changes involving the hood, grille and headlights, taillights, fuel cap, and steering wheel. Some references vary on the exact 1979 headlamp configuration. If identifying a particular truck, compare it with clear year-specific photographs or a period parts catalog rather than relying on one generalized list.
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9. HOT ROD also reported the result of its fuel-economy test
Alongside the quarter-mile result, HOT ROD recounts that its June 1978 test averaged 13.1 mpg. This is a reported result from that test, not a general fuel-economy rating for all Li’l Red Express trucks.
10. Reported production was limited, but condition affects collector value
The published production counts make the truck a relatively uncommon two-year model, but rarity alone does not determine an individual example’s value. Hagerty says condition, mileage, options, and history matter, and notes that complete high-quality examples can be difficult to find. No current sale price was verified in this research.
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1978 and 1979 at a glance
| Detail | 1978 | 1979 |
|---|---|---|
| Reported production | 2,188 trucks | 5,118 trucks |
| Engine | EH1 360-cubic-inch four-barrel V8; reported at 225 net hp | Sources describe a 360 V8; consult year-specific references for configuration details |
| Emissions equipment and fuel | Described by cited histories as having no catalytic converter | Cited histories report a catalytic converter and unleaded-fuel requirement |
| Reported test detail | HOT ROD recounts a June 1978 test: 15.71-second quarter-mile at 88.06 mph and 13.1 mpg average | No comparable test result included in this research |
| Identification notes | Year-specific details include hood, grille/headlights, taillights, fuel cap, and steering wheel | Some styling details changed; references vary on exact headlamp configuration |
FAQ
What made the Dodge Li’l Red Express special?
It combined a performance-focused Dodge pickup with a special 360-cubic-inch four-barrel V8, distinctive chrome exhaust stacks, and a short two-model-year production run.
How many Li’l Red Express trucks were made?
Published secondary sources report 2,188 for 1978 and 5,118 for 1979, or 7,306 combined. Treat these as reported production figures rather than manufacturer-verified totals.
Was the Li’l Red Express faster than the Corvette?
That depends on the test and measure. HOT ROD recounts a 15.71-second quarter-mile for its tested 1978 truck, while Hagerty describes it as the fastest domestic vehicle to 100 mph. Neither supports an unqualified claim that it beat every Corvette in every comparison.
What changed between the 1978 and 1979 models?
Cited histories report that the 1979 model added a catalytic converter and required unleaded fuel. Comparison guides also describe styling and equipment changes, though some details—particularly the exact headlamp configuration—vary among sources.
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There is no current sale price verified in this research. Hagerty says value depends on condition, mileage, options, and history, and notes that complete, high-quality examples can be difficult to find.
Quick Recap
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