This ’86 Dodge D50 Ram Had Concours-Level Restoration

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Japanese sedans and SUVs are commonplace on US roads today. However, in the 1960s and early ’70s, carmakers like Toyota and Nissan were still establishing a foothold in the American market. Their strategy included introducing a vehicle class rarely seen on US roads—the compact pickup. These diminutive workhorses were more affordable and fuel-efficient than domestic full-size trucks. Some of them became ultra-popular following the 1970s oil crisis.

Jumping on the trend, Mitsubishi rebadged its Forte pickup as the Dodge D50 Power Ram Sport. See the extraordinary 1986 example currently for sale on eBay in Vulcan, Mich.

Teamed With the Big Three

Toyota and Nissan (marketed in America as Datsun) arrived in the US in the late 1950s. That gave them time to establish their brands and far-reaching dealership networks. Latecomers like Isuzu and Mitsubishi teamed with the Big Three automakers to quickly establish a presence.

Mitsubishi inked a deal with Chrysler to rebadge several models as Dodges and Plymouths.

• The Mitsubishi Lancer became the Dodge Colt.
• The Mitsubishi Galant Lambda became the Dodge Challenger.
• The Mitsubishi Forte pickup became the Dodge D50 Ram. Introduced in 1979, it was the Pentastar’s first compact truck, sold also as the Plymouth Arrow Truck.

Mitsubishi four-cylinder engines power the trucks. Base models use a 2.0-liter, producing 93 horsepower and 108 pound-feet of torque. Trucks in Sport trim have a beefier 105-horsepower, 139-pound-foot 2.6-liter engine. The latter was the same engine used in Chrysler’s Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans, as well as the infamous K-cars.

Hot Wheels

D50 sales never quite matched the Toyota and Nissan trucks. However, the D50 did gain a following among Dodge customers who wanted a small truck. Enthusiast interest in the D50 led to immortalization as a Hot Wheels toy car.

The truck for sale is a top-of-the-line 1986 Sport 4×4. Crucially, it has a five-speed manual transmission and not a three-speed automatic. It also boasts factory air conditioning, locking hubs, and automatic load control.

The seller says nearly every part was restored or replaced with new-old stock parts during a three-year restoration. The listing states that the truck has only gone 1,387 miles since its completion.

Key Options and Accessories

Other key options include power steering, an AM/FM clock radio, and a tachometer. The restorer took a few liberties as well, adding a wood-paneled floor and an aftermarket truck bed roll bar with LED auxiliary lights to the bed. Purists may also flag the rear step bumper and reupholstered seats.

If one can look past those indulgences, the rest of the truck appears to be in excellent shape. This is quite possibly one of the most extensive Dodge D50 restorations conducted. That’s reflected in the $35,000 Buy-It-Now price.

Many enthusiasts are undertaking high-dollar restorations of Toyota and Nissan pickups from the same era. So far, the Mitsubishi/Dodge/Plymouth contingent hasn’t been as visible. Hopefully, there are more out there. If so, this Dodge D50 sets the standard as a showstopper.