Dodge and Ram trucks from as far back as the 1940s are on display at SEMA with Hemi and Cummins power.
Dodge and Ram trucks are always among the most popular pickups at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, this year’s SEMA Show was canceled due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and in its place, the organizers are hosting the online-only SEMA360. Many aspects of the traditional convention have been carried over to the online event, including the Builders Showcase.
The Builders Showcase is comprised of nearly 300 customized cars, trucks and SUVs, but as is the case with the in-person show, Ram trucks are well represented in the virtual event. Sadly, no Ram trucks made it into the final 12 of the Battle of the Builders, but we found five Dodge or Ram trucks that we wanted to showcase here on DodgeForum.
1. Brad Berg’s 1960 Dodge D-100
First up, we have the 1960 Dodge D-100 build by Brad Berg. Classic Dodge trucks have become popular in the hot rodding scene, but these trucks from the early 1960s are often overlooked. Unfortunately, there were no details provided on this D-100 on the SEMA360 website and we couldn’t find a website for Berg, so we can only go with what we can see in the pictures and video.
We don’t know what it under the hood of this Dodge D-100 pickup, but it definitely sounds like a V8. If we had to guess, we would expect that the engine is something more modern than the stock engine. Also, we can see a clutch pedal and manual shifter in the cab, so the driver of this classic pickup rows his or her own gears. That shifter is joined by modern white-face gauges and leather-wrapped door panels with power windows.
On the outside, this 1960 Dodge D-100 maintains the classic look, shy of the big chrome wheels. The front bumper has been removed and the truck appears to be lowered a bit, but it is not dramatic. This isn’t a heavily modified D-100, but it is a gorgeous representative of the 1960 model year, which doesn’t get much attention.
‘Five Cool Dodge and Ram Trucks from the SEMA360 Builders Showcase’ continued…
"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.
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