......about what it must have been like in the "olden days". Of course I've just read all this stuff as I was only born in the "olden days" and not old enough to know what it must have been like. Some of you can remember I'm sure. You walk into a dealership and:
Year 1964/65
Salesman: "Hello Sir. How can I help you today?"
Customer: "I'd like a 4 door sedan. Or maybe a station wagon."
Salesman: "Ok...We have lots of both. Anything in particular?"
Customer: "Well, I'm going to be towing a small camper trailer, maybe a small boat now and then."
Salesman: "Well we have plenty of powerfull V8's...318, 383, 440.....
Cuatomer: "Well I think I'd like the station wagon. With that new Hipo 426 Hemi in it.
Salesman: "Ok....What color would you like?"
Now, I tried this same scenario about 7 years ago when I bought my Dak.
Year 1992
Salesman: "Hey..."
Me: "Ummm...Are you busy?"
Salesman: "No...What do you need?"
Me: "A new truck..A Dakota"
Salesman: "Ok...We have several on the lot, look around and tell me what you find."
Me: "Well, I'd like to order one if I could."
Salesman: "I think we'll have one or two on the lot that that you'll like."
Me: "I dont think so. I'd like to have a V8."
Salesman: "Well we have a few V8 models out there."
Me: "I would like to have a Dakota with a 5.9L V8."
Salesman: " 'Blankstare'.....That's not an option."
Me: "Think we can try and get one special built?"
Salesman "The 5.9 is not an option."
Me: "I understand that. Can you see if the factory will install one? The 5.2 and 5.9 are the same size dimensionally. The transmission and rearend are overengineered for the 5.2 anyway."
Salesman: " 'Blankstare' "
Me: "I'll forego the warranty. I'll give you $25K. (remember the Cyclones and Typhoons were over $25K and the highest priced Dak was about $20K)
Salesman: "We can order you a 5.2 Dakota and a 5.9 crate motor and install it here at the dealership."
Me: "No offense, but I dont like the thought of having my brand new truck disassembled. Do think you could call the factory and see if it is a possibility?"
Saleman: "The 5.9 is not an option."
Me: [smiles] "Thanks for your help"
Salesman: "Hey, no problem"
Was I asking to much? No. There is one documented '64 or '65 426 Hemi powered station wagon in existence and one 4 door sedan. Both are Coronets I believe. I know, Dodge makes the Dakota 5.9 R/T now, 6 years later. But anyone can buy one, and it has no more cargo capasity than my V6 Dakota. And its only good for hot rodding (thats not a bad thing though). Of course both of the Hemi cars are extreme examples of what how you could customize your car, from the factory, anyway you liked it. Even barrowing parts from other product lines. Today, you get SLT or SLT+. Colors basically barrowed from the primary color wheel, with the few exceptions of a couple of earth tones. Try and get a V10 in a Ram 1500. Same sized engine bay as a 3500. All the parts are on the assembly line. No can do. Its not an option.
Just an observation......