During recent years many truck manufacturers have produced factory sport trucks - regular trucks that are customized from the factory, available for purchase from truck dealers. Some of these trucks were given special engines and suspension equpment. Rare breeds like the GMC Syclone and Typhoon can even outrun most high-performance cars in the quarter mile. Unfortunately, most of the extoic factory sport trucks are out of production.

Factory Sport Truck Categories:

 

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Factory Sport Packages - Mild sport trucks, ready to purchase!


1997 Chevy S-10 SSChevy S-10 SS - This 2-wheel drive version of the S-10 pickup boasts a 180-HP V6 SFI, 16" aluminum wheels and a Sport Suspension featuring Bilstein shocks and big stabilizer bars. The truck sits two inches lower than stock and has a monochromatic paint treatment that makes this sport truck stand out from the rest of the S-10 crowd. More information on the 1997 Chevy S-10 SS.

GMC Sierra GTGMC Seirra GT/Chevrolet Sport - Powered by the 5.7-liter V8 (1996 and newer trucks get the new Vortec engines) mated to a 5-speed manual tranmission or 4-speed automatic. Options include 15x8-inch chrome 5-spoke 454SS-type wheels with 275/60R15 BFGoodrich Comp T/As, Bilstien shocks, sway bars, and a 454SS-type air dam with fog lights. The body of these trucks receive a mono-chromatic paint treatment. The GMC Sierra gets "GT" decals. These trucks are availble in both the fleetside and Sportside body styles.

Dodge Ram Sport - Colors available are Flame Red, Black, Emerald Green or Bright White. The mono-chromatic paint treatment includes body-colored front bumper, grille, and lower fascia and taillight bezels. A color-keyed rear roll pan is standard with a step-bumper available as an option. Cast aluminum wheels (for the 1500 model truck) or Chrome wheels (for the 2500 model) with 245/75R16 tires put the power to the ground. Interior upgrades include a tachometer, while the exterior features Fog lights and "Sport" decals on rear fenders of the pickup box. The engine is a 5.9 liter V-8 producing 230hp and 330 pound-feet of torque at 3200rpm.

Dodge Ram SS/TDodge Ram Super Sport (SS/T) - This awesome version of the Dodge Ram truck features dual racing stripes, performance engine tuning, and 17-inch wheels. The 17-inch wheels are custom aluminum models similar to those found of the Indy 500 Special Edition, and they wear P275/60R17 performance tires. The sport-tuned exhaust adds a touch of style with a chrome tip, while the 5.9L V8 engine boasts an additional 10 horsepower for a 245 hp rating. The Ram SS/T includes all the standard features found on the Ram SLT, but adds a color-keyed paint scheme with watching bumper, grille, lower fascia and rear valance panel. The dash gains a tachometer, while fog lights were added to the front bumper. The trucks are avilable in four color choices: black with silver stripes, emerald green with silver stripes, flame red with silver stripes, and bright white with blue stripes.

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Factory Special Editions - These special edition trucks are all limited production vehicles. Most were only in production for a year or two. All of the following trucks are out of production and most are considered collector's items. Don't be fooled by mere appearance upgrades, almost all of these trucks are capable of dusting most so-called Sports Cars.


Chevrolet 454 SSChevrolet 454 SS - Short bed, standard cab, two-wheel drive Chevrolet C-1500 pickup with modified suspension, drivetrain, and a killer 7.4 liter (454 cu. In.) big block V-8 with 255hp at 4000 prm and 405 pound-feet of torque at 2400 rom. The power is routed through an automatic overdrive 4-speed transmission to BFGoodrich Tomp T/A, P275/60HR-15, on special 454 SS wheels. The interior comes equipped with a speical plush Garnet Red cloth interior and high-back reclining sport bucket seats. Other items include front airdam with lights, SS graphics, black paint with black grille, bumpers, and mirrors. These trucks were only produced from 1990 to 1993… and cost around $20,000. Check out the 454 SS Web Page

Dodge Ram Indy 500 Special Edition1996 Dodge Ram Indy 500 Special Edition - This limited production Dodge Ram Indy 500 Special Edition pickup truck is based on a short-bed two-wheel drive 1500 Ram with the Laramie SLT and Sport packages. The Dodge Magnum 5.9L V8 was boosted from 230 to 245 horsepower and a new performance exhaust was added. Indy Ram trucks run 17.1 in the 1/4-mile at about 83mph. The paint, inspired by the Dodge Viper GTS, consists of Brilliant Blue paint with twin white racing stripes across the roof, hood, front grill and tailgate. Special items include a "Dodge" windshield graphic, 17-inch American Racing Wheels, 17-inch Goodyear Eagle GTII Tires, sport-tuned exhaust with chrome tip, and commemorative Indy 500 logo on the doors. These trucks were priced around $20,000 and only about 3712 Ram Indy Trucks actually produced.

Ford LightningFord Lightning - This truck is based on the fleetside F-150. Stiffer spring rates front and rear, larger sway bars, Monroe Formula GP shocks and a 4x4 Pitman steering stabilizer bar help the handling. The truck sits 1 inch lower than a standard F150 in front, and 2.5 inches lower at the rear. The tires are 275/60HR17 Firestone Firehawk GTA radials mounted on 17x8-inch alloy wheels.Ford Lightning Engine The truck is powered by a 351-cubic-inch Windsor V-8 with several GT-40 modifications (similar to parts used on the mustang Cobra). The engine has special hypereutectic pistons and a recontoured flat-tappet camshaft. GT40 heads with bigger valves and ports. Air flows through a 65mm throttle body to the tublar intake, and then exits through tublar headers and a dual-exhaust system with four catalytic converters. The engine produces 240hp at 4200 rpm and 340 pound-feet of torque at 3200 rpm. Ford's E40D transmission was recalibrated, routing the power through an unusual 4-inch aluminum driveshaft to a limited-slip rear axle. Gauges include a 6000-rpm tach and 120-mph speedometer. The seats are special high-back buckets with Lightning embroidering. Visit the Ford Lightning Club Web Page.

GMC SycloneGMC Syclone - Based on the S-10 pickup, this awesome all-wheel-drive truck boasts a turbocharged, intercooled 4.3L V-6 rated at 280hp and 350 lb. feet of torque. These trucks, capable of producing sub 5-second 0-60 mph times, were produced in limited numbers, only 2998 trucks in 1991.GMC Syclone Engine The $25,000 sticker price seemed a little high for a small pickup, but there was nothing else like it. Visit Sport Machines and the Syclone/Typhoon mailing list site for more information.

GMC TyphoonGMC Typhoon - With the same powerplant and all-wheel-drive as the Syclone, this truck was based on the 2-door "Jimmy" S-15/Blazer. Only 2500 of these trucks were made for 1992, and 2200 more were produced in 1993. This SUV from hell was priced at $30,000. See Sport Machines and the Syclone/Typhoon mailing list site for more information.

GMC Sonoma GT - In 1992 GMC had a limited production run of the Sonoma GT, a high-performance two-wheel-drive version of the sonoma pickup fitted with the L35 195hp 4.3-liter V6 and an automatic transmission. The truck featured special body cladding, and a front-end treatment and gauge package similar to the all-wheel-drive Syclone. Visit Sport Machines for more information.

Chevrolet S-10 CameoChevrolet S-10 Cameo - Chevrolet made a limited production of the Cameo S-10 from '89 to '91. The package included Cameo decals, a sport suspension, complete ground effects kit (including diving lights and a roll pan), and high-back bucket seats, although some models lacked the gound effects and high-back buckets. In 1990 the 4.3L V6 was added as standard equipment boosting power to about 185 hp. The trucks feature 15x7 ralley wheels wrapped in P215/65R-15 Goodyear Eagle GT rubber. The sticker price on a loaded S-10 ran about $16,000.

Dodge Shelby Dakota - In 1989, Dodge added a 5.2-liter V8 to its midsize pickup, creating the Shelby Dakota. Included on the Shelby were custom 5-spoke alloy wheels and shelby graphics and decals. Only 1500 Shelby Dakotas were built: 900 red and 600 white.

Dodge Dakota Convertible - A Convertible truck, from the factory. Why not? Dodge made a limited number of convertible Dakotas in 1989 and 1990.

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Factory Sport Truck History - What started it all?


 

Ford Model A RoadsterModel A Roadster Pickup - Perhaps one of the earliest sport trucks was this special version of the Model A, the sport roadster model. This truck was produced from about 1928 to 1931, and featured a convertible top. The truck tops out at just over 45 mph, and mechanical brakes are the only way to slow down, but the truck was most certainly a sport truck in its day.

Dodge Li'l Red ExpressDodge Li'l Red Express - Dodge built this limited production high perfomance pickup in 1978 and 1979. It started as a short wheelbase, step-side pickup. A special 360 cubic inch V-8 engine was added, producing 225 hp at 3800 rpm, and 295 lb/ft of torque at 3200 rpm. This engine was backed by a modified LoadFlite automatic transmission with a shift kit and high stall torque converter, mated to a 3.55:1 Sure Grip rear end. Hot Rod Magzine reported a 14.7 second quarter-mile at 93 mph. These trucks are rare, however, with only 2,188 shipped during 1978 and 5,118 in 1979. The 6100-lb truck was the fastest American produced vehicle to 100 mph in 1978. The wheels are chrome five-slot disc road wheels, 15x7-inches up front, and 15x8 at the rear (1979 models used 15x8 wheels all around). Available only in Canyon Red with an array of custom accents, including dual mufflers with chrome-plated vertical tailpipes (behind the cab) with heat shields, chrome-plated valve covers, chrome-plated air-cleaner cover, chrome-plated side steps, an oak utiline body-side and tailgate body trim panels with chrome-headed bolts, and gold decals on the tailgate and doors reading "Li'l Red Express." You can learn more from this Li'l Red Express Page.

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