An Introduction to Dodge Trucks
Chrysler has been designing and building trucks for over eighty years, but the real story of the Sport Dodge begins with the mating of the half-ton pick-up chassis and the 413 cubic inch displacement (cid) Max Wedge V8. The 413 V8 was designed as a medium duty truck engine, but proved sufficiently adaptable that it found its way into both Dodge Dart 330 and 440 street and NASCAR configurations.
Competition success and street performance encouraged Chrysler to look at the big block 413 as a means of focusing attention on, and enhancing sales of the stagnant light truck line. These performance oriented pickup trucks were marketed from 1964-67 under the model classification of Custom Sport Special, or CSS.
In 1971, Chrysler reconfigured the light truck body with a focus on work vehicle durability, and without regard for performance. In the early 1970's the U.S. based auto industry was under pressure to meet new and stringent exhaust emission standards; so it was that half-ton pick-ups and vans were required to meet the same standards as passenger cars. Three-quarter and one-ton pick-ups were exempt from the new standards as they were considered commercial vehicles.
Hence, Chrysler's first venture back into the performance truck market came in 1977 with the introduction of the Li'l Red Express Truck, in part the creation of, and with the impetus of Chrysler's lead engine designer, Tom Hoover. By 1977, the 413 was history having been replaced in light trucks by the 360 cid. V8. The stock model LRET took to the street rated for the standing quarter mile at 13.76 seconds and 119 mph. Approximately 2200 units were sold during 1978, and just over 5100 in 1979. Plans for the 1980 model year were scrapped as a result of the 360's poor fuel economy, and fears over rising fuel prices.
Since Chrysler redesigned the chassis and introduced the drop fender body design for 1994, several RAM models have borne the title Sport, but only those equipped with the performance 5.7 litre HEMI, or the SRT 8.0 litre V10 can truly be considered descendants of the CSS or the LRET
