The Shelby Dakota is a limited-production performance version of the Dodge Dakota Sport pickup, offered for the 1989 model year only. It was Carroll Shelby’s first production pickup truck and his first rear-wheel-drive vehicle in many years.
Shelby Dakota at a glance
| Maker | Shelby, based on the Dodge Dakota Sport |
|---|---|
| Model year | 1989 only |
| Body | short-wheelbase, short-bed, standard-cab pickup |
| Engine | 5.2 L V8 with throttle-body injection |
| Power | 175 hp (130 kW) at 4,000 rpm |
| Torque | 370 N·m (270 lb·ft) at 2,000 rpm |
| Gearbox | four-speed automatic, the only option |
| Differential | 3.90:1 limited slip |
| 0–60 mph | 8.5 seconds (Motor Trend) |
| Quarter mile | 15.6 seconds |
| Built | 1,500: 860 red and 540 white |
| List price | $15,813 plus freight |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Shelby Dakota.
History of the Shelby Dakota
A V8 in a compact pickup
The Dakota started life as a short-wheelbase Dakota Sport with the standard cab and short bed. The 3.9-litre V6 that normally powered it was replaced by the 5.2-litre V8 with throttle-body injection. The engine bay was so tight that the belt-driven cooling fan had to go, replaced by a pair of electric fans; removing the mechanical fan alone added 5 hp to the V8’s output. With that, the Shelby Dakota produced 175 hp at 4,000 rpm and 370 N·m at 2,000 rpm, with a redline at 4,750 rpm.
Equipment and identity
The truck was recognisable by its special graphics, wheels, blacked-out trim, wheelarch extensions, a sports bar behind the cab and a front air dam with integrated fog lamps. Inside there were a Shelby steering wheel, seat inserts, floor mats and an individually numbered dash plaque. Motor Trend tested the Shelby Dakota at 8.5 seconds to 60 mph and 15.6 seconds over the quarter mile.
Place in the range
Total production was 1,500, split between 860 red and 540 white trucks, and the list price was $15,813 plus freight. Dodge returned to the idea in 1998 with the Dakota R/T, a high-performance version of the second-generation Dakota. It had no Shelby involvement but offered similar performance and appearance upgrades, including special wheels and tyres, better suspension and a larger V8.
Design and features
- 5.2-litre V8: 175 hp in a compact pickup, with electric cooling fans.
- Four-speed automatic: the only transmission offered.
- Limited-slip differential: a 3.90:1 unit as standard.
- Shelby trim: graphics, sports bar, fog lamps and a numbered dash plaque.
Shelby Dakota versions
- Red Shelby Dakota: 860 built.
- White Shelby Dakota: 540 built.
- Dakota R/T (1998): Dodge’s later V8 performance Dakota, without Shelby.
The Dakota joined a run of 1980s Shelby-modified Chrysler products that also included the GLH-S. The earlier V8 specials are described in the Shelby Mustang article, and the rest of the range is in the Shelby collection.
Sources
- Shelby Dakota, English Wikipedia: specification, equipment, production, road test
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