1978 Dodge Warlock
The Dodge Warlock is a model line from 1976 to 1979. After the oil embargo of 1973, Detroit was suffering from lagging sales of anything exciting. However, trucks were still selling as need for work trucks did not decline. Dodge decided to try to combine work trucks and excitement resulting in the Dodge Warlock and the Dodge Lil’ Red Express. These trucks were gaining popularity, but the 1980 Automobile Fuel Efficiency Act killed about every last bit of fun Detroit was producing.
At first glance, many may think this truck is something that is highly customized. However, the Dodge Warlocks are known for their trim of gold pinstripe scrolling that outlined the wheel wells & body lines, along the inside of the doors, the dash, and around the instrument cluster. They also featured their short stepside oak lined bed, standard stepside chrome bumpers, and standard grille treatments.
The interior and exterior on this Warlock are both in excellent condition. Like most Warlocks today, it is powered by a rebuilt 440 V8 engine. This truck also features a new radiator, a rebuilt transmission with shift kit & stall converter, nickel plated headers, new brake lines, new calipers & pads, and lil’ Red exhaust stacks. The owner does have the original numbers matching 318 motor, transmission, and radiator available to be included in the purchase.
The Warlocks all had black interiors, with a “tuff” steering wheel and gold tape accents on the dash and the doors. Dodge had just updated their interiors to be a bit more driver-friendly, which helped make the Warlock more attractive.
Otherwise Schmeltzle’s Warlock is big and square just as Dodge made it, and still a step up into the cab. Fancy striping festoons the painted metal of the windowsills, and there’s not a hint of a headliner, just painted metal overhead. Vinyl door panels and vinyl-covered bucket seats are matched by a sports-style steering wheel, along with an instrument panel that could have been filched from a midline Dodge automobile. An 85-mph speedometer is centered on the instrument panel, with wings that could have housed an optional clock and tachometer.
There’s no explosiveness, just the rumpety demeanor of a big-block tamed by smog- control strategies. Not that it’s emasculated, just more locomotive than rocket sled. It’s what one might expect from something advertised with pictures of blondes wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “The Adult Toys from Dodge” across their chests.
