Rare Muscle Truck: 1979 Dodge Warlock
The Warlock was one of the special edition pickups built by Dodge in the late 1970s. The idea was to create a more muscular image for Dodge in the truck business, which was generally populated by purely utilitarian vehicles. Unlike its cousin, the Lil Red Express, the Warlock was more of a trim package than built to go fast. This one is a W150 Power Wagon (4X4) produced for off-road use and is in fairly rough shape at 49,000 (or 149,000) miles. Located in Wylie, Texas, this truck is available through a dealer and here on eBay for $14,800 OBO.
Dodge rolled out the Warlock in 1976 as a limited production truck and then widened its availability for 1977 through 1979. Production numbers are elusive as it was an option, but they may be fewer than the 7,000 or so Lil Red Expresses that were built. Initially, they came only in black (which ties better to the name), but other colors were added later. Internet gossip suggests more 2X4 versions were sold than 4X4s like this one, which may make it rarer. Unlike the Lil Red Express, the industry’s fastest production vehicle in 1978, the Warlock could have anything between a Slant-Six to a 440 cubic inch V8.
This ’79 Warlock could be original. The black paint (only the hood has been repainted) is getting rough, but the big issue is rot and rust. The truck’s bed looks like Swiss cheese and there is rust in the sheet metal, especially the bed area, to be dealt with. The interior is well-used, too, and the padding for the glovebox has a gouge mark in it. We’re told the Dodge has been sitting for some time and no attempts have been made to get it to run.
Under the hood lies a 360 V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor and automatic transmission. The air cleaner is MIA in the photos, and we wonder if it will respond to a splash of gasoline and an intake manifold. As a possible incentive, the seller is throwing in a set of custom Americana 4×4 floor mats the dealer was developing. Would you attempt to restore this pickup or just get it running and use it for yard work?
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now1 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now3 days$11,000
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now5 days$750
Comments
Looks like a splash of gasoline would only wake up the local fire brigade, not the engine. Needs more than an air cleaner (like maybe an intake manifold).
Back when a black truck was unusual. Now they are all warlocks
Did the owner of this Warlock not see the recent auction results for that beautiful Power Wagon?
https://barnfinds.com/bf-auction-1977-dodge-power-wagon-adventurer-4×4/
That truck had a ton of work done to it and the body is immaculate! This Warlock could be a great daily but needs to have a more realistic price.
$11,000 between this and the Power Wagon is not big enough. I could see it selling for $7,000 or $8,000 but not $14,800 for a non-running specimen.
Yep…..looks like Dennis is drinking to much coffee…..
A splash of gasoline is exactly what it needs. For what the dealer wants you would be upside down and backwards.
When new, could have bought a regular stepside truck much cheaper without the name that upset some parts of the public. Could have been black, had the same engine, everything, just not the offensive name. As stupid as the Little Red Trucks were, at least the name didn’t anger people. Dodge dropped the ball her, smack on their foot. You think they would have learned their lesson with the Demon. Plymouth had wiser marketing people, obviously.
GENIII from a late model RAM would be right at home
I don’t see the 2 barrel laying under the hood, not even 2 barrel intake..
So many things missing under the hood other than the obvious engine parts. Square hole in driver’s side of firewall is where the wiring bulkhead is located. Harnesses from both sides appear to be missing in action. cab floor is in such bad shape from rust on both sides that it will need complete replacement, or source a rust-free cab to swap in place of the original. Wheels are later model 5 on 5.5-inch bolt pattern used in 1980 and later Dodge trucks. They are mounted on spacers to the truck’s 5 on 4.5-inch pattern hubs. Great truck, but a very heavy project. Even if priced at $10,000 less than asking the new owner would always be upside down with this one.