Ten years ago, the then-Dodge Ram introduced the first state
exclusive model with the introduction of the Ram Lone Star edition.This model played on the Texas pride
displayed by on many native Texans and it worked just as Chrysler had hoped,
with the Ram Lone Star package accounting for a whopping 30 to 40% depending on
the individual model year.In total,
over 80,000 copies of the Ram fitted with the Lone Star package have been sold
and for the 10th anniversary, the Ram Brand is issuing a special
commemorative Lone Star edition.
The new Ram Lone Star 10th Anniversary edition begins on the
outside, where the typical Ram 1500 logos have been removed from the doors to
make room for unique Lone Star badges sporting the outline of Texas in red,
white and blue.
Inside, the Lone Star
10th Anniversary edition features Katzkin perforated leather seats with the
outline of Texas stamped into the front and rear seatbacks.A set of unique embroidered floormats and a
chrome Lone Star badge on the dash finishes this commemorative package.The Ram Lone Star 10th Anniversary edition is
available only as a Crew Cab configuration with the 5.7L Hemi V8 in the
following colors: Black, Bright Silver, Bright White, Deep Cherry Red, Flame
Red, Mineral Gray and True Blue.
The Ram Lone Star 10th Anniversary trimline carries a price
of $1,500 and in addition to the special aesthetic changes mentioned above, the
standard features include goodies like 20″ aluminum wheels, a Class IV receiver
hitch, a 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat, fog lamps, halogen quad
headlamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
Happy 10th birthday to the Lone Star Edition of
the Ram 1500.Here’s to another ten years
of the uber popular Texas-only Ram package.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
Ten years ago, the then-Dodge Ram introduced the first state