1988 Dodge Dakota "Mopar Express"

Several months ago my dad purchased me a 1988 Dodge Dakota out of western Ohio off eBay. It is a rustfree body and when we got it I noticed somthing right away. It was special! From what I have read on other Mopar forums this was a dealership package out of Kentucky. The truck originaly had a 3.9L V6 and a Shelby Dakota style roof extednder. and it had a red and argent silver stripe scheme with the words "MOPAR EXPRESS" above the rear wheel-well. Does anyone else own on of these special trucks? as far as I know I own the only Blue mopar express.  

i don't know about the Mopar Express bit, but i do know that there was a Shelby Dakota based on the 1989 year model. Now, i would definitely check to see if you have an 88 or 89 on your hands because if you have an 89, you may have a Shelby on your hands.  

What year was a L'il Red Express version of the Dakota available?  
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Sometimes you just gotta say...

dunno, i did a little bit of research and i wasn't able to definitely find out what year it came out, but i think it was either 88 or 89.  

RBolig, from the factory? I don't think so

88sport: It is defenately NOT a Shelby Dakota and there are other Dakota's like it and it apears I own the only Blue one from the research I've done...

UPDATE: I now am planing to do a 5.7L Hemi or 5.9L magnum engine swap, I also will be posting pictures soon and will send in my YoungGuns aplication.  

I own a 88' Dodge Dakota. It says "Mopar Express" just like yours, but mine is red. I was wondering about it's rareness also. If you have found out anything about them, please let me know.  

I remember the Mopar Express Dakotas, saw them at the dealers around here,still had some Shelby GLHS's there at the time. And me with no money to buy either one.  They did have a shelby style cab extender and strobe stripes down the sides with MOPAR EXPRESS on the bed sides. Only remember seeing them in black,but was more interested in Turbo Shelby's at the time. The Lil Red Dakota was available from 90-92, only available with V-6 in 90, but it feels way quicker than it really is. tomcats lil red dakota page has copies old magazine articles that I sent to him a few years ago with 2 1990 models (0ne of which is mine) and a 1992 with 5.2 magnum ( oh the possabilities)  
No sense in taking life too serious, no one gets out alive anyway.

I just wanted to comment on your Mopar Express Dakota. I also have one of these special trucks, mine is a 1989 and is silver with the silver and red stripe kit.Mine came factory with a 4 cylinder, but i removed that and dropped in a 340 out of a 72 duster that i freshened up.  

We need PICS!! And yes I'm guilty as anyone else here.  
No sense in taking life too serious, no one gets out alive anyway.

Cool there are other trucks like mine! I'd like to make the truck to the 09 Nats but it'll probably make it in 2010. Here's the pics:









I put some wide drag radials from my uncles 1987 Dodge Ram Drag Truck, you guys might see it at the 09 Nats, It's blue.



pics wont resize right... heres a link to my photobucket:

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee1/mopardude001/  

http://www.440magnum.com/mopars/2009/april/1988-dodge-dakota.shtml

Hey Guys CHECK IT OUT!!! My truck was featured on a website!!!