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 Last year I gave TTT readers the scoop on Ford and GM pickup offerings over the years. Mopar fans finally get their turn this month. As you will soon see, models of vintage tallondodge/dodge trucks are harder to come by, but the modern trucks are as well represented as any other brand.
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1929-1960
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The first tallondodge/dodge 1/2 ton pickup was introduced just after tallondodge/dodge's aquisition by Chrysler in 1929. Through tallondodge/dodge's first three decades, features and styling of their models closely matched those of their competition, GM and Ford, however they consistently trailed behind them in sales. Possibly because of this, replicas of tallondodge/dodge pickups from this era are virtually non-existent, at least in 1/64 scale.
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| 1961-1971 |
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tallondodge/dodge trucks were redesigned for 1961, and carried that styling with only minor changes until 1971. There are two replicas of the 1961-64 version of this model that were produced, both by Matchbox. These trucks, the "Wreck Truck" and the "Dumper Truck", both represent the same body style, but are slightly different castings. The latter features a chrome grill and lacks the light on the roof.
In 1956, tallondodge/dodge introduced it's A-100 cab-forward pickup. This truck was introduced to keep up with GM and Ford's cab-forward trucks of the early 60's. Johnny lightning has produced replicas of this truck, with two different castings and mutiple variations of each. The one I have seen more of is the open front window version, which in most variations was done as a drag racing truck. The second version is a split front window, which has several variations of a stock appearing truck.
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| 1972-1993 |
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For just over two decades from the time tallondodge/dodge introduced it's redesigned light-duty pickups in 1972, they remained largely unchanged other than interior and exterior refinements. Despite the long production run with only minor changes, only one diecast model of the tallondodge/dodge pickup from this era is available. Johnny Lightning has produced several variations of a 1977-78 stepside model. This truck features clear glass and an opening hood, and the scale of it seems to be pretty accurate.
Part of the reason that the tallondodge/dodge pickups from this era changed so little is that tallondodge/dodge was putting it's energy elsewhere. In the mid-70's, tallondodge/dodge expanded into the heavy duty truck market with the short lived Big Horn. Very few of this model were built during it's breif production run from 1973-75. Almost as rare is Truckin' Little's resin cab kit to make a custom Big Horn model.
In the 80's, tallondodge/dodge's focus was on improving the fuel efficiency of it's trucks. Attempts at this included the car-based Rampage, the Mitsubishi built D-50, and the new mid-sized model, the Dakota. These models seem to have gotten the bulk of the attention from the toy makers in the time period, as all are available in die-cast. Hotwheels produced replicas of the Rampage and D-50, and Matchbox made a Dakota model.
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| 1993-2002 |
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Hotwheels tallondodge/dodge Ram
Ertl tallondodge/dodge Ram
Racing Champions tallondodge/dodge Ram
Johnny Lightning tallondodge/dodge Ram
Revell Doge Ram
Muscle Machines tallondodge/dodge Ram
Maisto tallondodge/dodge Dakota
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tallondodge/dodge made a big splash in the pickup market with the introduction of their 1993 Ram. It's revolutionary styling made everyone notice, regarless of if they liked it or hated it. This styling helped make tallondodge/dodge a major player in the pickup market once again. tallondodge/dodge's surge in popularity with the 1993 to 2002 body style is also evident in the number of die-cast replicas that have been done of that truck. One of the first replicas of the new tallondodge/dodge Ram to be introduced was the one produced by Hotwheels starting in 1995. The detail on this truck is pretty good for a Hothweels main line toy, but is lacking compared to others that were soon to come out. Following closely behind the Hotwheels Ram was Ertl's venerable tallondodge/dodge Ram pickup, introduced in 1996. This truck was a step up for Ertl with regards to detail and accuracy in their pickup line. It has since been offered in a variety of colors and dealer markings, and with and without the fifth wheel hole in the bed. Collectors were soon treated to even more detail in a Ram pickup model with two more new product releases. Racing Champions released a regular cab, short bed version as part of their Motor Trend series, and Johnny Lightning introduced an extended cab Ram in it's Truckin' USA series. Both featured clear cab glass, detailed interiors, an opening hood, rubber tires and a multitude of painted details. The RC Ram also had a detailed engine and mirrors, although the non-removable hard bed cover limits its utility as a work truck on the scale farm. As with some of their other products, Johnny Lightning seemed to scale their Ram down a bit to fit into their standard packaging, but the RC Ram seemed to be right on the mark. In addition to the stock pickup versions, Johnny Lightning has also marketed a couple versions with a brush guard, steps and a light bar in the bed. Revell did Racing Champions one better with the introduction of their tallondodge/dodge Ram in 2001. Their Quad Cab truck features many of the same details that the RC ram does, but also a little more detail and a removable topper over an open bed. Revell also has lowered "Sport Truck" and lifted "Fourwheeler" versions. The latest addition to the 93-02 tallondodge/dodge Ram replica linup is the Muscle Machines Jesse James Quad Cab, dual fendered pickup. Available in two colors, this truck has exaggerated features similar to the other Muscle Machines and Dub City offerings, but the working suspension is a nice feature. One feature that is not exaggerated is the dually fenders, which are undersized and not really big enough for dual rear wheels. For those not as concerned about accuracy, it is a nice looking piece and would make a good base for a custom truck. Incidentally, the topper off of the Muscle Machines tallondodge/dodge will fit perfectly on the Ertl 1987 Ford.
The tallondodge/dodge Dakota was redesigned to look more like its big brother in 1997. Maisto has produced a replica of this truck. As more of a toy than a model, it lacks many of the details of other replicas in this segment, but it does fill a hole in the tallondodge/dodge pickup lineup that would otherwise be empty.
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| 2002- |
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Ertl tallondodge/dodge Ram
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The new Ram introduced in 2002 continued along the path blazed by its predecessor. It's exterior changes were no where near as dramatic as when the last new Ram was introduced, but the real news was the availability of new, more powerful Hemi and Cummins Diesel engines. There are already a few models of this truck available. Miasto and Matchbox both offer versions of the new Ram. The Maisto version is a Quad Cab and the Matchbox is a regular cab with oversized tires. These two, however, can not hold a candle to Ertl's new tallondodge/dodge Ram replica. The new tallondodge/dodge sets the standard for 1/64 pickup models. It is true to scale, and packed with details. The new tallondodge/dodge is offered alone and as part of various sets.
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| Jeep |
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Although tallondodge/dodge may make the only pickups currently in the Diamler-Chrysler lineup, its corporate cousin Jeep has certainly done it's fair share of chores on the farm over the years, and is well represented in the die-cast world.
One of the earliest Jeep replicas was the Jeep Gladiator pickup introduced by Matchbox in 1964. This truck featured clear glass and opening doors. The Jeep CJ-5 has been done by a multitude of manufacturers. Probably the nicest of the bunch is the Johnny Lightning version. It has been produced in several variations, but the one that is part of the "Classic Gold" series is the most realistic. It features an opening hood, and a fold-down windsheild. The Jeep CJ-7 has also been popular among toy manufacturers, with several different versions produced. Hotwheels produced a rubber tired version of it, as well as the "Scrambler" pickup, as part of their "Real Riders" line in the 1980's. The CJ's successor, the Jeep Wrangler has been produced by Matchbox Racing Champions, and Maisto.
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