One Family Owned: 1971 Dodge D100 Sweptline
Collectors are confronted by a sea of vintage Ford and Chevy pickups; finding one barely requires patience. But here on eBay is an uncommon 1971 Dodge D100 Sweptline – the last year of the model – bid to $4950, reserve not met. This truck boasts only 69,614 miles from new, accumulated while in single-family ownership. It was sold by a dealer in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it still resides in that town. The Sweptline’s history is entangled with a prior model called the Sweptside. Featuring fancy fins and a deep rear bumper, the stylish (and rare) Sweptside bed was difficult to load. Sales were moribund. In 1959, Dodge revised the bed on the same truck chassis, so it was wide and straight-sided. The new bed was called the Sweptline. But changing the bed wasn’t enough; the truck still appeared aged and sold poorly. A major update for model year 1961 introduced reduced ride height, a roomier cabin, better dash ergonomics, and more comfortable seats. Alas, Dodge remained ranked a distant fifth in sales. Sales did improve over time, but Dodge was always far less popular than the “Big Two”. Today, the Sweptline offers a measure of rarity that’s brought price appreciation for fine examples.
This truck is equipped with a 318 cu. in. V8 good for about 155 hp mated to a column-shift three-speed automatic. Notwithstanding a relatively new carburetor, the seller says the truck hasn’t been started in three years. The tools that belong inside the engine bay are still present. D100 referred to the two-wheel drive half-ton pickup; sizes ran to one ton; the four-wheel drive versions were designated with a “W”.
The interior is in decent condition, though its plain, blocky style won’t win any design awards. The area below the glove box appears to have a blemish. Note the steering column: by 1971, Chevrolet and Ford had not only incorporated the steering column into the dash, but Chevy was offering a tilt option.
The grille is dented in several places, and the bumper isn’t perfectly straight, but the seller says the paint is original. The truck has been kept in a carport all of its life, which didn’t do the bed any favors; the seller notes rust in the tailgate as well. The occasional dent is to be expected in a work truck. Thankfully, the distinctive trim line running horizontally along the body and bed is unblemished. This handsome and original truck requires TLC so I wouldn’t pay more than a couple thousand more than the current bid; what do you think?
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Comments
You answered an age-old question as to why Dodge trucks didn’t sell as well as their competitors, Michelle. Thank you.
Overall, an honest work truck that’s been cared for minus a few whiskey bumps and some bed rust. Like you said, maybe a couple or at most few grand more than the current price provided the underside isn’t a hot mess..
Awkward styling/appearance, and, while Dodge running gear was bulletproof, the truck was no more resistant of rust than competitors’ trucks of that era.
It left this model at a disadvantage, and the re-do in 1972 was even worse in corrosion resistance. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that Dodge got serious about correcting that flaw.
This is an ugly duckling that won’t draw many Ooohs and Ahhhs at exhibits or meet-ups. Only by the knowledgeable and only after that perforated bed floor is addressed. And whatever else is hiding.
I’ve heard people say that folks bought Fords and Chev’s for play and Dodges for work. And the styling was tired by 70-71. I had several of that era and were dead-on reliable. But rusty
Decent truck. I agree with the author.Another couple large ones tops.I’d get rid of the rust in the bed , some por15 and then diamond plate it.Use it as a work truck.glwts.
For a Dodge truck fan this can be a nice project that would not be that expensive to tackle unless the motor is seized up and a decent body shop could tackel the bed although finding one might be an issue.Then again we are all aware that when dealing with 40 year plus vehicules it wont be as easy as walking in the local dealership and walking out with our hands full. 318 and torqueflite will give carefree motoring after the necessary tune up and fluid changes. Could be worth it. Personal note look at the front end and the evolution to the d300 version of Emergency fame is there.
Do you think the chrome valve cover and air cleaner is stock?
It’s nice to see this and the Pontiac GP are priced at a sane market value. Hopefully this is a trend.
Seems 99.9% on here are priced at least triple the actual value.. and sadly there’s fools and their money paying it. I’m still in shock over a lump of rust tagged as a Chevelle a few months ago went for over 15,000. And it literally needed every nut and bolt new. Buying a car part by part is around 70, 000. Plus the 15k buying price. So basically end around 100,000 into it … Just insane
Lovely looking truck. You see lots of Chevys and Fords of this vintage advertised, but It is rare to see a 1970-71 Dodge truck. Given its condition, I’d pay around $5000, and then upgrade a few things.
That’s one of the things I loved about Dodge trucks back in the day. They built trucks to be “trucks” without unnecessary changes that added cost to the vehicle – like remaking a dash simply to envelope the steering column. Everything was simple and utilitarian – exactly what a work truck should be. The slant six was a popular engine for their trucks and this one has the extra hp of the 318 with ease of the torqueflite transmission – the truck version of a “deluxe” model. Even if the bed is rusted, it’s a easy fix at a body shop or at home as there’s no need for attention to keeping body curves perfect, etc, – just a flat piece of runner-embossed steel to deal with – anyone can fix a truck bed with the proper amount of elbow grease and the proper bed-primer with a bed liner to follow. If the engine and tranny is in as good a condition as the seller says – then it’s step in the drivers seat and enjoy a real truck built to be a real truck. It looks to be well worth the asking price.
I always liked these old Dodges because you don’t see them that often and because they look so utilitarian. I’d prefer it in my shop over an early to mid 80’s square body Chevy at two to three times the price, but that’s just me – and I consider myself a “Chevy guy” normally.
Yeah, I do like the Dodge trucks the best – simple and utilitarian and therefor the best looking and designed trucks of the big three
Nice find and lots of fun for the next owner
This is a nice truck, and it doesn’t look like the bed floor would be difficult at all to repair. You don’t find Dodge trucks like this in this good of condition very often. If you have ever restored one of these you will appreciate that all of the bright trim parts are still there, and for the most part undamaged. The aluminum grill has some dings but not too bad. Regarding the bed on this era Dodge, the Sweptside bed with the station wagon fins was only available from late 1957 through the 1958 model year. All of the Sweptside trucks were special order and made to order for the buyer. They were all made by the Special Equipment Group. AKA, SEG Shop, and were never assembled on the production line with other trucks. For 1959 the new wide bed was introduced and the name Sweptline came into use. Then, for 1961 the bed like on the truck in the article came along and continued through the 1971 models. Studebaker bought the dies for the 59 and 60 style bed and used them on Studebaker Champ pickups, and that’s why the beds look too wide on those trucks. From experience, Dodge trucks are difficult to restore as body and trim parts are hard to find..
If it were a short box, I would have to own it!
Only 155HP? I doubt it.
Most trucks back then we’re low HP but a ton of torque. Basically anything reving over 2500 RPM was just a waste
I’ve owned 2 a 69 and a 70, both 318, Both Long wheel base and Both Automatic. But the proof is on the rating plate on the driver’s rotor, rear jamb, where Dodge proudly displayed “Rated NET HP @ specified RPMs. I prefer the basic Tradesman trim (NO stainless steel Swept Line), as finding parts for most of these items is a frustrating hunt for ”unobtainium.”
Wise words for the collector: If the door seals are bad, it soon follows that the inside (steps) rockers will rust out before you get around to fixing the seals. And you’d do well to get “Scarebird’s front disc brake conversion kit.
Driver’s Door…arrggghh!
I’m from Lynchburg, VA. The truck would have been sold at John P. Hughes Motor Co, the beloved local Dodge dealer for decades here.
They’re still in business, not as a Dodge dealer, but as a used car lot.
I’m from Lynchburg, VA. The truck would have been sold at John P. Hughes Motor Co, the beloved local Dodge dealer for decades here.
They’re still in business, not as a Dodge dealer, but as a used car lot.
Good looking truck!
If people bought Chevy and Ford for play and dodge for work they’d sold a lot more trucks than them.there quality was poor among other things.
I love the looks of this dodge,drop in a 383 and a 3:73 posi and have a lot of fun.