Midnite express truck
#1295967
09/02/12 10:53 PM
09/02/12 10:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 738 Oh Canada
EV2CUDA
OP
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OP
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Oh Canada
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Did the truck start out as a warlock? Did it have gold striping inside? My warlock came with a silver dash but has door striping. I'm making a 5.7 hemi version of it. The truck came from Arkansas so it has little rust and factory a/c. This truck was painted with heavy gold metalflake over the black paint at one time but has faded badly. Pic of it tomorrow
71 Barracuda 383 4spd (500ci) 69 camaro 598, NOS 69 barracuda bbc procharger 77 t/a 6.0 turbo project 78 t/a 400 77 corvette 1983 hurst/olds 03 Viper 79 360 macho 71 demon 360 78 Warlock 5.7 hemi project
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: UCUDANT]
#1295971
09/03/12 08:27 AM
09/03/12 08:27 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,946 Greenville, PA
redraptor
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Quote:
Yup. I have a magazine article (Chrysler Power I think) somewhere in my mass of magazines that said they were suppossed to be resprayed when they got to their destination in some type of metal flake paint
Nah, had to be black to begin with. Reproduction door decal is out there. There's room enough for both Warlock/LRE kits on the same truck (except tailgate). I say go for it. I only have 2 regrets with the truck I owned. 1st was restoring it to begin with. 2nd was painting it red.
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: redraptor]
#1295972
09/03/12 09:33 AM
09/03/12 09:33 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 738 Oh Canada
EV2CUDA
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OP
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I have never seen one for sale so I'll make my own. I read they were only sold in California ? They did have stacks.
71 Barracuda 383 4spd (500ci) 69 camaro 598, NOS 69 barracuda bbc procharger 77 t/a 6.0 turbo project 78 t/a 400 77 corvette 1983 hurst/olds 03 Viper 79 360 macho 71 demon 360 78 Warlock 5.7 hemi project
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: Golden-Arm]
#1295973
09/03/12 10:00 AM
09/03/12 10:00 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,244 southeast, mich
MachoMan
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Quote:
just a lrx that got painted black instead of red. all of the codes on it, except the paint code are the same as found on a 78 lil red.
actually, this is incorrect. If this were case then all would have an "S" engine code. They could be had w/any motor, but most i've seen are 440, 400 and 360 in this order. Some have Adv SE int. Any reg option was avail as it was just a conversion. The ones i've seen in person have all the same options you'd find on a warlock but not warlock specific options.
There are many rumors out there. Not enough info from even actual people involved. Seems they started out as dealer created. Not Calif only as Mr Norms were said to have converted some. They have been found all over US, not that theres many. Hard to document as they were conversions.
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: MachoMan]
#1295974
09/03/12 11:41 AM
09/03/12 11:41 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 738 Oh Canada
EV2CUDA
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OP
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Let's see some of those trucks. I thought they were only 360 all black LRE trucks with stacks. Only 78 year of truck.
71 Barracuda 383 4spd (500ci) 69 camaro 598, NOS 69 barracuda bbc procharger 77 t/a 6.0 turbo project 78 t/a 400 77 corvette 1983 hurst/olds 03 Viper 79 360 macho 71 demon 360 78 Warlock 5.7 hemi project
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: MachoMan]
#1295976
09/03/12 12:12 PM
09/03/12 12:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,570 Sunny South Florida
Golden-Arm
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Quote:
actually, this is incorrect. If this were case then all would have an "S" engine code. They could be had w/any motor, but most i've seen are 440, 400 and 360 in this order. Some have Adv SE int. Any reg option was avail as it was just a conversion. The ones i've seen in person have all the same options you'd find on a warlock but not warlock specific options.
i have seen only two, and one was new in the dealership. both were 360, and both were lrx packaged. rumors about 4 speeds, big blocks and other "options" are always floating around. find one of those with an order sheet, window sticker (monroney) build decal off the bottom of the hood and a door decal and post them. i'm not saying they werent made, but anyone with a black stepside can add some decals and have a midnite express truck. i was going to paint mine black and do a midnite express. in '78 i was looking at dealers for a kitcar, but they didnt have one. looked at the lrx and midnite express, couldnt afford them. i ended up with a 68 hemi charger off the used car lot. i've seen one other midnite express since '78, and that was in jersey in the mid 80's, in east hanover in an industrial park off rt. 10. chatted with owner a bit and his was also a 360 with a full lrx package (door tins, silver instrument panel, chrome stacks, all bedwood, dual snorkel air cleaner with tubes, tuff wheel, etc) and he owned it since new.
if there's a bigger, better version, i'd love to see it. a 440/4 speed midnite would be kickass!! somehow, i dont believe a "real" one will ever be found.
"When Tyranny Becomes Law, Rebellion Becomes Duty"
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: Golden-Arm]
#1295977
09/03/12 05:24 PM
09/03/12 05:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,244 southeast, mich
MachoMan
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southeast, mich
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Never said that LRE's were not converted. Just not all ME's are former LRE's. Every truck from 77-80 has a silver bezel when optioned strictly as a Custom or Adv. an Adv SE will have woodgrain bezel and SE door panels. an ME is hard to document as it was not a Dodge production vehicle, so it would not have an option code. So yes, you're correct that any stepside truck could be made into one. Just like any 76-77 can be made into a Warlock and we all know any stepside is a Warlock
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: EV2CUDA]
#1295978
09/03/12 05:27 PM
09/03/12 05:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,244 southeast, mich
MachoMan
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Quote:
Let's see some of those trucks. I thought they were only 360 all black LRE trucks with stacks. Only 78 year of truck.
The first one I'd ever seen and heard about was the one in MCG about 10 or so yrs ago. Had documentation and a 440.
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: 300maximilien]
#1295983
09/04/12 10:54 AM
09/04/12 10:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 738 Oh Canada
EV2CUDA
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Well, hardly anybody knows what a warlock is, less a red express and even fewer a midnite express. This truck I bought looks silver(was gold metal flake and feels like sandpaper). Its sanded off now. I have the hotwire auto harness, headers, a zex nitrous kit and a small cam to make it rumble a bit. 5 inch stacks too...dont like the little pea shooters the express trucks came with.
Last edited by EV2CUDA; 09/04/12 11:10 AM.
71 Barracuda 383 4spd (500ci) 69 camaro 598, NOS 69 barracuda bbc procharger 77 t/a 6.0 turbo project 78 t/a 400 77 corvette 1983 hurst/olds 03 Viper 79 360 macho 71 demon 360 78 Warlock 5.7 hemi project
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: redraptor]
#1295985
09/04/12 07:57 PM
09/04/12 07:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,802
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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As a kid, I remember the dealer in Canaan, CT had two of them. They're actually kind of a sore spot with me because until that MCG article came out, everyone I talked to about them blew me off because they figured I was just some dumb kid that actually saw a Warlock. This dealer had a BUNCH of trucks in '77 and '78. LRE's, Warlocks, Sno-Commanders...... At one point, there were probably 8 or so LRE's parked side by side out front. This would be as close as I got to seeing a new 'musclecar' at the dealer. The two Midnite trucks I saw were just outside the bay doors of the shop one morning. In transit? Already sold? I never saw them after that. This was long before digital pictures, so, no I don't have any pics. Sorry.
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: SattyNoCar]
#1295986
09/06/12 06:31 PM
09/06/12 06:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 738 Oh Canada
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I was hoping someone on moparts owned a documented Midnite express to see an invoice what it would look like to verify such a truck. The truck above would be a clone since its a 77. Nice truck for sure. I hated these thing but have grown on me. SO it was probably only one dealer in Cali that was ordering black trucks and doing a coversion with LRE parts??? Im not clear as to how these were made. REDRAPTOR:If I lived in Texas I could say we like things bigger! Im a trucker so little stacks are a no-no if you care what you are rolling in.
Last edited by EV2CUDA; 09/06/12 06:38 PM.
71 Barracuda 383 4spd (500ci) 69 camaro 598, NOS 69 barracuda bbc procharger 77 t/a 6.0 turbo project 78 t/a 400 77 corvette 1983 hurst/olds 03 Viper 79 360 macho 71 demon 360 78 Warlock 5.7 hemi project
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: EV2CUDA]
#1295987
09/06/12 06:35 PM
09/06/12 06:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 738 Oh Canada
EV2CUDA
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OP
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Hey sat73, you are one day older than me on moparts!
71 Barracuda 383 4spd (500ci) 69 camaro 598, NOS 69 barracuda bbc procharger 77 t/a 6.0 turbo project 78 t/a 400 77 corvette 1983 hurst/olds 03 Viper 79 360 macho 71 demon 360 78 Warlock 5.7 hemi project
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: EV2CUDA]
#1295991
09/08/12 06:52 PM
09/08/12 06:52 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,048 Back home in PA
BulletBob
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Back home in PA
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Quote:
I was hoping someone on moparts owned a documented Midnite express to see an invoice what it would look like to verify such a truck. The truck above would be a clone since its a 77. Nice truck for sure. I hated these thing but have grown on me. SO it was probably only one dealer in Cali that was ordering black trucks and doing a coversion with LRE parts??? Im not clear as to how these were made. REDRAPTOR:If I lived in Texas I could say we like things bigger! Im a trucker so little stacks are a no-no if you care what you are rolling in.
I know a guy who has one that he bought new with less than 10k on the odometer as what was told to me by a friend It sits among Hemi,Six Pack & a few Wing cars here in the Kansas City area
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: moparmojo]
#1295994
09/12/12 09:23 PM
09/12/12 09:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 9 So Cal
Justin
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So Cal
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I don't think they were sold in CA because of smog rules. My bro in-law had to change the carb to reg his LRE in CA.
Justin
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: Justin]
#1295995
09/27/12 11:54 AM
09/27/12 11:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 738 Oh Canada
EV2CUDA
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So I then understand the midnite express is a dealer installed option? Stacks, bedwood and decals etc. Seems like alot to do. Was it pieced together or a option code or dealer part number? It is called a express truck so it probably should look like a LRE but black.
71 Barracuda 383 4spd (500ci) 69 camaro 598, NOS 69 barracuda bbc procharger 77 t/a 6.0 turbo project 78 t/a 400 77 corvette 1983 hurst/olds 03 Viper 79 360 macho 71 demon 360 78 Warlock 5.7 hemi project
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: Dan Halen]
#1295997
09/30/12 10:52 PM
09/30/12 10:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,570 Sunny South Florida
Golden-Arm
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I Live Here
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Sunny South Florida
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i see a 79 lrx truck. vin says 79, not 80. without a clear picture of the underhood options label and/or buildsheet/window sticker, i just see a repainted truck. just because a magazine runs a spread on a car or truck, doesnt make it so. (ever heard of MCG? )
"When Tyranny Becomes Law, Rebellion Becomes Duty"
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: Golden-Arm]
#1295998
09/30/12 11:04 PM
09/30/12 11:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,650 Harm City Md.
Dan Halen
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Harm City Md.
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"The auction will include the documents confirming this as a S-code little express truck with PX8 blue paint and also the other info about the truck" Do the Express trucks have a fender tag with the option codes or just the door sticker and under hood stickers? I remember the magazine reports in late '79 that there were to be other color Express' but didn't recollect until I saw the ad. I hate scammers but you never know sometimes .
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: 300maximilien]
#1296000
10/01/12 07:43 AM
10/01/12 07:43 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,506 AZ
Mike P
pro stock
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pro stock
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AZ
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FWIW, It I recall reading a few years back that the original Midnite Express trucks were credited as being the brain child of Mr Norms GSD. The story goes that he would order a black Warlock (which could be had with any engine) then the parts department would order the factory wood kit and exhaust for a LRE. Throw those on and add a custom door decal, and you have a ME. The idea was picked up by a few other dealers (mostly Midwest). Who knows, without the original paperwork form the dealer it would be impossible to verify the originality.
1957 Plymouth (Hemi, Dual Quads, A833 4 Speed 9 1/4 w 4.10) Sold 1937 Dodge Pickup (Hemi, 6X2 intake, 46RH, Dana 60 w 4.56) Sold 1968 Plymouth Valiant 2dr sedan (354 HEMI, 46RH w/4.30 gears)
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: Mike P]
#1296001
10/01/12 09:37 AM
10/01/12 09:37 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487 Florida
scratchnfotraction
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Florida
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IIRC there was an orange blossom express that had the LRE package with an orange paint job. for the south eastern area dealers. still one that runs around central FL.I see it every blue moon or so. seen a few MNE around here in FL,grew up knowing a guy with a 440 warlock,even have a few LRE truck in my area. seen what looked like a real LRE on hwy50/brooksville last yr,looks like it had sat in a yard for a lot of yrs to have all that patina on it. i dig them if they are real ones and dig them if they are made up clones of ones that never was. for me?? I want a plane jane stock stepside,warlock,LRE,MNE,OBE, and of course my 88-440 king bee 2 out of 6 so far I am doing and orange/Black stepside next
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: Soopernaut]
#1296004
10/01/12 04:44 PM
10/01/12 04:44 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487 Florida
scratchnfotraction
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Florida
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Quote:
Quote:
IIRC there was an orange blossom express that had the LRE package with an orange paint job. for the south eastern area dealers. still one that runs around central FL.I see it every blue moon or so.
If you ever get a chance, take a picture of it. There was a thread here with all the 70s truck packages but the illusive "Orange Blossom Special" as it was called in the thread, was only a rumor with no confirmation.
I just went back to look at the thread. I had saved the link but the thread no longer exists.
this one has a set of decals like a LRE truck,wood,pin stripes,chrome mags,stacks.
just had orange blossom express on doors and gate. dont recall it being OBSpecial though.
yea I always try to catch up with that truck when I see it.
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Re: Midnite express truck
[Re: EV2CUDA]
#1296007
11/04/13 12:27 PM
11/04/13 12:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,050 Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,050
Niles , Ohio
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My kid has one.The OE motor is long gone but it is a 4 speed.Now has a built 360 in it from my Ram Charger.It has stacks,chrome steps etc and had all the wood including the wood bed.Now it has a steel box as the wood bed fell apart.He still has most of the side wood.Its been sitting in the garage for the last 15 years.Some day soon he will yank it out.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
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