This 1957 Dodge D100 Sweptside Pickup is a gorgeous luxury pickup truck and an example of the 1st year Sweptside "Forward Look" design. In the early decades of the 20th century, pickup trucks were considered work vehicles where style and comfort was sacrificed for practicality and utility. However, in the early 1950s consumers began seeing trucks that were a bit more stylish and a bit more comfortable because manufacturers began to realize that trucks had to serve the two purposes that people were using them for, personal transportation and work. In the mid-50s, Chevrolet released its Cameo Pickup, a spruced up version of its 1/2 Ton Pickup with impeccable style while retaining the utility of owning a pickup truck. With the release of the Cameo, a new category of truck was born; that is, the luxury pickup truck. In the years that followed, Chevy's competitors followed the GM marque's lead. Ford's version of a luxury pickup was the Ranchero which was said to have been inspired by an Australian farmer's wife who had asked the local Ford plant to build her "a vehicle to go to church in on a Sunday, and which can carry our pigs to market on Mondays?" Another such example was the 1957 International Harvester Golden Jubilee Pickup that celebrated the manufacturer's 50th Anniversary. The Mopar version of a luxury pickup debuted in May 1957, the Dodge D100 Sweptside Pickup. Partially hand-built by Dodge's "Special Equipment Group," the Sweptside took a long wheelbase 1/2 pickup and integrated the rear quarter panels and bumper of Dodge station wagon. While the Sweptside D100 pickup box internally and tailgate looked stock, both were actually narrowed to accommodate for the new station wagon rear fenders. The other major happening at Dodge at the time, along with at its Mopar sister marques, was the introduction of Virgil Exner's "Forward Look" design campaign. The Forward Look design philosophy took its inspiration from the aerospace industry and the results yielded a lineup of gorgeous vehicles looked as if they were from the future. While Dodge's trucks retained similar cab design as the previous year, the area from the front cowl to the front of the trucks received a Forward Look facelift. Besides trim updates, this change in style was accomplished by revising the headlight design to the "forward-thusting" hooded headlight design that would only stay in place for the 1957 model year. Dodge produced the Sweptside D100 Pickup for a very short time, approximately May 1957 thru January 1959. Due to a short production run and limited sales, the Dodge Sweptside has become one of the most collectible 50s pickups of the era. While no one knows the exact production number, it is believed that around 2,500 Sweptside trucks were produced during the span of May 1957 thru January 1959, which makes this 1957 Dodge Sweptside the second rarest model year and thus one of the most cherished by collectors. Powering this '57 Dodge Sweptside is a 230 Cubic Inch L-Head Inline 6 cylinder engine paired with a single barrel carburetor that together were said to have created 120 horsepower when new. The 230 Straight 6 is backed by an automatic transmission that is shifted using a dash-mounted push-button shifter. Exhaust exits this Dodge's six cylinder engine via a single exhaust port that generates a nice throaty sound out of the rear. Riding a set of wide whitewall tires, each paired with a full size Dodge wheelcover, this Sweptside Pickup has a truly classy look whether parked or cruising down the road. This D100 sports several desirable options including a chrome front bumper, turn signals, and driver's side outside mirror. The long steel pickup box features a wooden slat bed, Dodge-branded steel tailgate, and of course the iconic '57 Dodge rear quarter panels and special back bumper that make this D100 a true Sweptside. The steel body has been refinished in a beautiful two-tone paint scheme consisting of Bayview Green and Mojave Beige that completes the exterior look of this truck. The interior on this '57 Dodge Sweptside is absolutely gorgeous! The bench seat has been reupholsterd in beige tweed cloth along with beige vinyl. The matching upholstered door panels, headliner, driver's side sun visor, painted dash, and steering wheel are all in wonderful condition and appear to retain a nice stock appearance. The aluminum-trimmed instrument cluster is equipped with a 110 MPH speedometer, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge, amp gauge, and fuel gauge. Whether you're buying your very first classic pickup truck or you're adding to an existing collection of Mopar pickups, this 1957 Dodge D100 Sweptside Pickup would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at 763-428-7337!
*230.2 Cu. In. Inline 6 *Single Barrel Carburetor *Push-Button Automatic Transmission *120 Horsepower *12 Volt Electrical System *Wide Whitewall Tires w/ Full Wheelcovers *Bayview Green/Mojave Beige Exterior *Beige Tweed Cloth/Vinyl Bench Seat *Wood Bed w/ Special Sweptside Box *Driver's Side Outside Mirror *Stock Instrumentation *Odometer Reads: 25,349 Miles
