I had been trying to buy this truck off the original owner for past 20+yrs and he finally let her go. He ordered it new Pierce and Son's Dodge in DuQuion IL and took delivery March 26, 1976. Ordered it with 400 engine, 4spd heavy duty manual trans, 15x8 wheels with 10-15 tires, Tach and AM radio. Stopped driving it regularly in 1989 with only 73,xxx miles on it.

I've watched this truck slowly deteriorate for past 20+yrs and had tried numerous times throughout the years to buy. Well last weekend my 16yo and I were passing by his place and son said stop by one more time dad...call it fate, perfect timing or him softening up when he saw the spark in my son's eyes and smile when we talked about it. It is now ours. Owner was sad to see it go today when I picked up but I reassured him it's with a good home and when it's roadworthy again we'll bring it by and go out in it.

nice score. shame he wouldn't sell it before it got so bad. But you and the boy will make it better. That is the best dash ever...wish Dodge had carried it on at least till '81.

Great combo with the 400, 4 speed and 8 inch wheels. Hopefully you can find some sheetmetal to make her whole again.

Sad to see it go

I'll never understand the mentality of people that would rather see a vehicle rot into the ground rather than sell it. Look past the rot, and the truck looks like it was pretty straight, no serious damage.

As much as I love my wagon, show me cash and I'd probably hurt myself getting the title out so fast.

That dash was used thru 80, good enough?:)

I picked up this 92 Canyon Sport plow truck this winter, wish it had never been used as a plow. I remember checking out the 76 Ramchargers when they were new, I was just out of high school and drooling at them, no way to buy one at $2/hour though...

not when I have an '81......

Sweet score. I have owned two 400 4 spd Ramchargers. I remember the old days in four low and dumping the clutch they could pull the front wheels. I also owned a 79' 440 Ramcharger S.E. that was loaded that I learned over the years was extremely rare but we beat it to death as kids.

If it's any consolation that huge glove box door was pretty rattle prone... Half of it was the fuse box.

Hmmm, Sounds like jealousy to me.

After all it's just old junk right?

Personally, I get it.
Not every one is driven by money.
Some folks develop a bond that is hard to break.
I have stuff rotting in my yard and they are so far gone people done stopped asking anymore.
I've had them for decades.
I still enjoy having them, even though I can't drive'em anymore.
They are just cars and trucks.
Why would you even care?
what's the big deal?
I can't say, but my memories are not for sale.

I just bought a '64 Impala that folks have been trying to get for decades.
Been sitting since '73.
The owner Loved it,
It held memories of better days.
Only reason he sold it to me was because I get it, and he needed money for heart pills.

Quote, "when he saw the spark in my son's eyes and smile when we talked about it. It is now ours."
This is a very good reason to hold on to things.


Any way to the O.P.
Good luck and enjoy your new toy.
I hope your son loves it so much he won't want to let it go either.

bboogieart , no jealousy here.And I get what you're saying.

I want to say more on this, but words are escaping me right now.

I don't like seeing vehicles rot away....but people can get attached to a car and cant bear to let it go as it feels like they are loosing a piece of themselves.
in extreme cases I known of some people that said they just couldn't let a rotting car go because it would be to hard to see someone else possilby driving it so they just wanted it to finish rotting into the ground.

bboogieart it's not about being driven by money, it's about not wanting to see something you supposedly care about just rot away as if something you DON'T care about. I'm surprised you would even ask "why would you even care"? Because we LOVE these old Mopars and know there are so few left!

If you weren't able to care for a pet you'd give it up for adoption. That's how I look at it anyway.

we don't get rid of Mom and Dad because they got old and decrepit.
I like seeing things restored, and/or modified.
Did a lot of it in my day.
The way I see it.
My stuff is just that.
Getting upset about what some else does with their stuff is just silly.
Like the old song says,
Aint nobodies business but my own.

Nice score! Must have been a beautiful rig in it's day!

You don't get rid of Mom and Dad because they're old and decrepit, but it's a shame they're decrepit if they don't have to be. Yes it's your stuff and do as you wish, but that doesn't mean it's not sad to see