End of The Sweptline

Dodge pickup trucks and medium duty trucks shared cabs between 1961 and 1972. In this video Steve examines a low-option Dodge D500 work horse and answers the burning question: did Dodge really charge extra for the passenger side sun visor?

[@thejavelin7832]

When I was 7, I was smashing all of my duplicate matchbox cars so I could make a junkyard with them.

[@snocrushr]

The "Spicer" knob under the dash is a PTO control probably for a hydraulic pump for a dump bed.

[@frankpriolo7735]

I was going to say the same thing. Def a PTO control. Two-speed spitter (or three speed) were always mounted on the shift stick.

[@bobroberts2371]

Yep, PTO knob. The MICO lever to the left is a hydraulic brake lock, this was typically used on tow trucks to lock all 4 wheels to gain traction when winching.

[@walasiewicz]

I love how he stashes his extremely rare literature out of his personal collection throughout the vehicles and acts like he just stumbled upon it! Lol. Love your show!!!

[@walasiewicz]

Man he is a WEALTH of automobile knowledge

[@marksklizovic5816]

The push pull out spicer nob on the dash was not for a two speed axel it was for an old cable operated power take off usually found bolted to the side of the standard transmission the truck was probably a crane 🏗 truck two speed axel switches are usually red in colour and always push pull buttons found on the front of the gear shift lever mounted just lower than the shifter nob, and if you’re in something really heavy like a 20 ton truck then the gear shift nob might have a toggle switch on it’s left side that is for the auxiliary box in the transmission (some trucks had shift lever s)!and it may also have a push pull button for your crawler or half gears ⚙️

[@eugenepolan1750]

...and there was still a little "Wart" on the top surface of the shifter boot for a vacuum line(?) to pass through for that 2-speed axle switch, until it was eliminated when we retooled the shifter boot that was still in use on the NP 435 transmission in 1984.

[@fahja51]

@@eugenepolan1750 a

[@eugenepolan1750]

@@fahja51 You are correct - back then, it was referred to as the A-435.

[@oops1952]

Back in the day those cranks were used in 340s by some pro-stockers. Hardened journals. Here in Canada Fargo was used for everything bigger than a pickup. Even a few pickups got that name plate

[@ldnwholesale8552]

The good 340s had the same crank as the truck 318s, Those cranks broke in trucks, especially 70mph+ cruising

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Forged steel units!

[@oops1952]

@@ldnwholesale8552 The 318-3 truck forgings had double shot peened journals

[@vettekid3326]

Most of the larger series Dodge trucks like that I saw as a kid in the midwest were fleet buys for like state or municipalities like snow plows and such. Ford, Chevrolet and International were far more popular among private contractors and farmers.

[@dfb1111]

I had a Holmes 440 wrecker body on a 1970. Even with the 318 it was unstoppable.

[@77yogurt]

The 318 was/is no slouch. It's a pretty damn robust engine and it certainly doesn't get nearly as much credit as it deserves. That being said, I do understand what you were getting at.

[@MicroSoftner]

Thank god Steve's back, i was going through withdrawals lol

[@allanperry6507]

Fargo was also being sold in Canada for many years Steve. Smiles 😃 from Huntsville Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@t.s.racing]

I'm pretty sure that SPICER knob is for a P.T.O., not a 2 speed rear end. Apologies if I'm wrong.

[@artjones2498]

If the knob or button is on the shifter its usually for the 2spd r. axel..pto controls were usually mounted on the floor or lower part of the dash...some of those med duty trucks also had a air operated parking brake and air service brakes where there was a yellow push pull button mounted on the dash to release the parking brake also...depending how it was.spect out when new...

[@67L-88]

@@artjones2498 yep, but this ol' girl is juice brakes

[@oldkw1188]

You are correct the two speed would be an electric push pull switch mounted on the shift lever. I'm sorry Steve but the Spicer knob is for a cable operated PTO.

[@butcher390]

Wasn't the Fargo name plate , Also utilized in , Canada 🇨🇦 ? 🤔

[@anngo4140]

These were sold in South Vietnam as Desoto, they were in use after the war until the early 2000s probably 2001-2002, then replaced by Korean and Japanese trucks, loved seeing these as a kid.

[@goratgo1970]

Smashing diecasts as a kid is a passage thingy! Nice to gander at mid sized "city" trucks on occasion. Wish my car had a 2 speed rearend (had they made a light - small type)...

[@oops1952]

Some guys never grow out of it....they're always wrecking stuff

[@gregggoss2210]

Never smashed my Matchbox or Hot wheels but poked most of the windows out. Never abused my Corgi's though, as they were more expensive.

[@dubiousf00d]

Did this and took a marker and wrote numbers on a few of them as well. Colored other parts too. Then my mom started buying me models to build.

[@paulday6875]

Made my own junkyard by smashing hot wheels in different ways. Grew into model cars by heating them carefully with a propane torch to "crash" them🤣

[@terrystewart2070]

The Mico Lever Lock was a valve set up that when actuated and you stepped on the brake, would not let the fluid release when you let off the brake. Locked all four wheels. Later, after dual pot masters were used, they were usually an electric switch actuation, and still locked all wheels. My Dad's garbage trucks (which were all early '50's to early '60's IH and Fords) all had them, as well as all the brush rigs in the local volunteer fire dept. I was in later.

[@88SC]

My favorite TV series as a kid was Emergency! I remember the made for television movie pilot, Squad 51 was based on a Sweptside. During the show, when Gage and DeSoto became actual paramedics, they got a new updated truck, based on the new generation, which became the iconic and much loved Squad 51.

[@1hasbeen531]

KMG365

[@tonyfriend7413]

I got that old show on dvd as part of my childhood collection out in my garage..

[@bobbyz1964]

My dad was a milkman till about 1970 or 72 when I was in first grade. Company he worked for had a fleet of Sweptline medium duty trucks, with Slant sixes, set up as cheap as possible. Always very rare trucks in Minnesota, which sucks because I'm restoring a 68 D200 Sweptline pickup.

[@sped6954]

I like these five to 10 minute Magnantememtaries. Just enough info to keep your attention, but not so much that you lose interest or start getting bored. By the way Steve, I just now made up that word, so if you like it, feel free to run with it!

[@paulehlers2225]

If you want to see a bunch of these trucks still in action-go to Argentina, it's amazing how many of them are still on the road doing their thing. There's two of these for sale on the Denver craigs list right now.

[@sawdustandcigarettes]

Fargo was also sold up here in Canadia. First standard I ever drove was my Uncles 69 Fargo crew cab when I was 10.

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

I have to ask...where is Canadia?

[@TheRealSmithFamily]

@@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman He’s being funny. It’s Canada 🇨🇦 AKA: Canuckland 😄

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

@@TheRealSmithFamily Yea I know, I was just being funny! When my son was young he used to say Canadeeans

[@Jupitermustangmike]

Plain Jane's were great workhorses!

[@BSWThunder6]

Fargo was sold by Plymouth Dealers in Canada. I had a 1970 Fargo D200 Camper Special with the 383.

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

Ha! First! Good day all, 6:00 am , toast and tea to start the day, and a junkyard crawl to get the brain going…..what else do you need? 😂👍🇨🇦

[@Mark.G475]

Coffee ☕☕

[@SteveMagnante]

Love it!

[@bobbbobb4663]

Late 80’s and early 90’s, I went to high school on several of these medium duty Dodge 70’s era busses.

[@Mark.G475]

Cool! I still have some of my toy Corgi cars from when I was a kid!!!! Cheers from Milwaukee Wisconsin 🇺🇲🧀🍻

[@americarsqueensland1667]

That's a really good Auto Wreckers, such a wide variety of old vehicles.

[@savedin87ify]

Had one in our bone yard in tech school back in the early 80's.

[@tonyfriend7413]

I got that Same Dodge truck wrecker as a toy same color scheme, But mine isn't smashed in perfect 50 + year old condition...Thank you Steve.. Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth are My Favorites.

[@jamespetersen3933]

Thumbs up to the excellent camera man. Keep on crawling!

[@georgerenton965]

In the mid 70’s I drove a mid 60’s Dodge C-900. It was the heavy duty version you where referring to in the brochures. They where very popular with fleet operators. The one I drove had a Cummins NH-250 horsepower engine at 2100 rpm. Maybe 800 ft lbs torque. It had a 10 speed Eaton transmission, top speed would be about 56 mph. I pulled a spread 4 axle trailer, and grossed out at about 112,000 lbs. That would be a seven axle rig. Keep in mind 5 axle rigs you see on the interstate are limited to 80,000 lbs, and have 400-500 hp, and 1500, -1800 ft lbs of torque. It was a long day… and night getting from A to B back in those days. Half the engine was in the cab with you. Think hot and smelly in the summertime, and especially on long hills.

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

I kno i've akst before but i'm sure we all wood LOVE to see your HotWheels/etc collection. U seem to be good at hangin on to stuff we lost years ago, so how bout it Mr Magnate? We watch every morning COZ you got good yarn.

[@eriknorthenscold704]

Cool to see Mico brakes........the pride of North Mankato Minnesota.

[@briane.5656]

In high school I drove a '67 D100 with slant six that had the oil bath filter. Definitely a low end model -- had the three-on-the-tree manual, radio delete and rubber floor mat. My Dad paid $200 for it and we put in galvanized sheet metal with self-tappers to cover the holes in the floor. Good times! :-) My love for Sweptlines never left -- 40 years later that's my '70 D200 Camper Special as my icon.

[@thedelawareranch2379]

Funny I have that same little tow truck. I actually collect tow trucks toys and the real ones !

[@milehighkit4725]

Funny thing, that right turn signal ad on is from a 1974 Yamaha Enduro :-) noticed that right away!

[@Jupitermustangmike]

Burping Greens is quite the salvage yard 😉🐎🐎🐎

[@jcpad1797]

Good to see you back, great job as always.

[@SteveMagnante]

More to come!

[@tonyfriend7413]

@@SteveMagnante I'm Super Duper, Glad, that they don't crush and smash these for Toyota Jan's new product lines!

[@tonyfriend7413]

@@SteveMagnante Did you used to watch the Lovely Ashley Baylor do your weather reports up there? She worked at WEAU tv 13 in Eau Claire wis. for a few years.

[@tony66au]

Welcome Back Steve :-)

[@buckster2575]

I'd grab those delete plates.

[@2264ish]

I still have my Matchbox tow truck from the 1960s!!

[@tony-ps4qw]

Good job Steve i'd like to see your collection of automotive magazines you have some rare stuff for sure!

[@noaht5191]

I'm guessing you check those classics out before walking all over them...when you beat that fender well, I was just waiting for a swarm to fly out, it happened to me 2 years ago on a old TBird....especially reminded me after seeing that nest in the top drivers side at that visor.... 😬

[@lilmike2710]

I'm almost certain that he does. Even up in Massachusetts I bet wasps are an issue. Of course down here in the southern states we certainly know better than to be complacent around a long since parked car or truck. 🐝 Those little demons especially love to get between the doors and under the fuel lid, under the hood and inside fender wells. The really nasty ones will make their nests under the seats which is usually the last place anyone will look. One second everything's fine, the next second you feel like someone just crushed a cigarette out on your skin. 🐝 Nasty little demons they are.

[@phooesnax]

I love my d500. Nikon that is.

[@danw6014]

My neighbor had a dump truck which I believe was a 71. It had a 361.

[@hectorortegon4418]

I just subscribed. I have a restored 67' W200 with a PTO winch, original 383. Also have a 64' W200 stepside with not a whole lot of rust, but nice patina. The 64' is getting a low miles 440 out of a motor home. That engine is getting a purple shaft 509 cam.

[@ExilefromCrownHill]

Models badged with "Fargo" were sold in Canada. Desoto models were sold south of the US border. 6:01

[@zillacon1]

These larger chassis cab trucks carried over the Sweptline Cab style in some cases as late as 1975.

[@scootosan]

Steve is the walking talking vehicle encyclopedia

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

I had a 1967 Dodge D200 sold it about 2 years ago. The turning radius was horrible really hard to make a U Turn. And it was the same color as the 500 series in the video. Mine had a 318 . Great Videos Steve. I’m always shocked they put slant six engines in these Beast. Had to been brutal going up hills. Greetings From San Diego.

[@markchandler90]

Fargo was also used in Canada

[@jimmartin735]

So homely they're beautiful

[@wreckerjonny6144]

I have a couple of those bp tow trucks leseney even the gas station to go with it. I been seeing the dodge pickups and medium duty trucks come out of the wood work lately on the market

[@ccg1171]

Another great video.

[@felixlafuente9714]

Steve, thsnk you for sharing knowledge

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Steve

[@andreamills5852]

Fargo was sold in Canadian Markets also.

[@73buickman]

I've got my grampas 66 d 200 from the family farm just love the truck

[@davidciesielski8251]

I learn so much from you.... thanks

[@davidgleason3379]

Dodge always had some innovative ideas unfortunately more people would gravitate towards Chevy and Ford. And that slant six I have personal experience with my 1965 Plymouth valiant that I have owned since 1983 has a slant 6 it's one of the best motors I also worked for 15 years in automotive machine shop where we rebuilt motors also all other machine work on heads .and when you would see a 225 slant come in most had high mileage yet the ware was not that bad on the engines they really were a very dependable motor.they were first used in 1960 in the first valiant and were still being used in the late 80"s. Both in cars and trucks.

[@anthony1968]

Steve that truck was built in Windsor Ontario my grandfather used to work for Chrysler and he was head of operations one time for truck assembly before they went to Warren truck they also build them in Canada at Windsor and I believe

[@corvairjim1]

My boyhood Matchbox D500 wrecker died much the same way as yours: before I got back into the 1:64 scale diecast hobby about 20 years ago, I had let my three kids play with my old cars. BIG mistake, but how was I to know that one day my son would get p***** off at me and take the whole boxload of 30 year old cars out to the sidewalk and proceed to, one by one, flatten them with a brick! I got home from work that day to catch him in the act. The wrecker was already dead, as were most of the other 50-some cars and trucks. When I arrived, I was just in time to see one of my childhood favorites get mashed into the sidewalk: my purple Hot Wheels Olds 442. Had I known then what I found out about a decade later, that car would not have been left in the box. It seems that purple is a very rare color on the 442, and less than a dozen are known to exist. "Mint on a mint card", the best possible example of one of them, is a $4-5,000 car all day long today. In the rough, well-played-with condition mine was in, I understand that it would probably only be worth somewhere in the range of $800-1,000! Not that I would have sold it - too many great childhood memories were wrapped up in that little 4-wheeled hunk of purple pot metal. Fast-forward to today, and I have got WAY more diecat cars than I ever had as a kid: my best estimate is somewhere between 5 and 6 thousand if them. Roughly half if them are Matchbox and Hot Wheels from about 1980 to today, and except for about 400 vintage cars from the late 50's through the early 70's, the rest are relatively modern, high-detail cars from such brnds as Greenlight, Johnny Lightning, Auto World, and Castline M2, and premium cars from Matchbox and Hot Wheels. It's a great hobby that doesn't cost a whole lot at a time (although the overall cost does oile up over time! I estimate that I could buy a nice, driver-quality 1970's Camaro from what I have invested in them!), and it doesn't take up a whole lot of room. My collection, in proper storage cases made for the purpose, fits just fine in a 4 foot wide y 6 foot high bookcase. Back to the Dodge tow truck, mine wasn't the only 60's diecast car to die a gridly death that sunny summer afternoon. With it went maybe 20 original Hot Wheels Redlines from 1968-70 and as many regular-wheel and early Superfast Matchboxes. I've been slowly replacing the ones that I lost that day, and now they tend to be priced around $25 each, on average for nice but not perfect examples. Oh well, the things one does for his hobby. On the other hand, I have at least that much money tied up in 1:25 scale model kits like Steve likes to show with the cars that he shows us every day. His collection is W-A-Y more extensive (and EXPENSIVE!!!)than mine.

[@donlemme898]

Love old Dodge trucks. Good stuff Steve.

[@michaelguinn5736]

Afternoon Steve, always enjoy your junkyard crawl videos, think that was a hydraulic brake lock(lever) on the dash....be safe, God Bless!!!

[@johngartner6710]

I have a 74 d500I still is the sweptline. Last year. They made the newer style big truck for only a couple years and they got out of the big trucks.

[@tertessa]

Drove one of those back in 70's the truck would fly 80mph no problem....I was younger then...

[@organicmechanic1662]

Fargo was found in Canada also 👍

[@karriefalon7779]

We had a Dodge 800 with a 3206 cat, 5/4 spicer transmissions, i am not sure what weight the tandem differentials were. it was our farm grain truck a very long time. just a chuckle i did have a lot of seat time in that old truck, as dad refused to drive it and no one else liked it so i was the driver. when i first began to drive it dad had 4x4 wood blocks bolted to the pedals so i could reach them and operate them corectly. I actually got my class 3 licence with it along with a few of our neighbours used it to take their class 3 licences. Saddly i so wish i still had it, i really liked to drive it as i got older and could shift it more smoothly. one night when i was 9 i was unloading and foregot to pay attention, and i raised the box to far and bent the neighbours brand new grain auger with it. I was just not to popular for awhile after that stunt.

[@Dayandcounting]

General Motors Heritage Center posted some of their old documents online. I think they're in the archive sections.

[@madmike2624]

Hope you enjoyed your vacay. Steve! AS ALWAYS, ANOTHER GREAT AND INFORMATIVE VIDEO! Thanks for all your hard work and research!

[@randyauer7303]

Steve your mother and father created a monster your knowledge is next to none on these vehicles which parent had more influence on the motor part of your influences growing up keep the good work up peace

[@billmanzke758]

Corgi Toys made a 1:43-ish version of the Fargo version of this size truck.

[@alcoholic2412]

In Canada they're called Fargo trucks

[@samholdsworth420]

Steve, I always wondered why a dually had those style front wheels. It never occurred to me that you could swap em with the rear 😂

[@danielc5205]

Brake drum clearance.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

Even though it can be done, nobody ever rotates tires front to rear on trucks like this. They run "lug" tires on the drive axle and "rib" tires on the steer axle.

[@mexicanspec]

It is good to see you back, Steve.

[@KING-LEO]

I have an 318 - 3 out of a 1971 D-600 only 72,000 miles it runs verry well so i saved it.

[@67L-88]

I am surprised this was filmed in August and premiered in August! I would have wagered that Steve would have a few months of episodes in the can by now. I was looking forward to sweaty Steve videos in January :)

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

I remember those pretty well, they did used them for cargo, towing, and plowing snow too! I’m from Chicago! I kinda like those old trucks! I do also have some of those old matchbox trucks I collected over the years! Nice video Steve! Keep’em coming!👌😎👍

[@oldskool1979]

I have that matchbox truck in mint shape.

[@danapicray9040]

The lever lock is for hydraulic brakes only, it stop the fluid from returning and then the brakes stay locked.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Very cool.................. 👍👍

[@paulshobbyshop5416]

Fill your library before you full your garage...fill your library with Steve mags

[@rustedratchetgarage6788]

Yep I got a BP Wrecker in my collection

[@DannyWalker1949]

Hey Steve, You might want to check your info on the "Spicer" knob under the dash......it's for the Hydraulics for rasing the Bed Body as a Dump body, Not for 2-speed transmission. Spicer has had the Button on the shifter along time before this model year.

[@patrickmoran8790]

As far as us farm kids go, the D600 might’ve been the smallest that you would put. PTO on the NP435 transmission for the remote dump pump for the Midwest grain bed. Going back to the 50’s, in the flatlands, some of those trucks were ordered with a 225 slant six. I drove my Dad’s 77 D600 to deliver some vegetable produce in Illinois to a food processor, and our back home neighbor knew I was the person driving the truck when I hit the highway. I guess that Dad didn’t have a very heavy foot for a delivery like that. I had been away for a few years in our Air Force. I wasn’t hogging the truck and Dad had a lighter foot than me. You can only shift a long stick NP435 as fast as it’s able, along with the heavier flywheel compared to a pickup truck, and 20” tires. Diamond E Packing is where I was going. Does anybody else know where that was?

[@lianwalton9194]

Steve-the Mico is a hydraulic lock for parking-eventually outlawed for obvious reasons…

[@67L-88]

I don't know if they were outlawed, but they still sell them. I had a late 1980s truck that used that system on the front wheels. Regular mechanical parking brake in the rear and the hydraulic on the fronts. We think it may have had a bucket arm body at one point so they really wanted it not to roll ;)

[@lianwalton9194]

@@67L-88 Hi-im certain they were outlawed up here in Canada-over time they were prone to leaking down-as most hydraulic systems will do over time and with use-I know from experience they leak-not to be walked away from once set-timebomb…

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Steve,, all dual wheel trucks have the wheels interchangeable. Unless hot rodded/ modified which would be dumb. Here in Oz we got Dodges that shared cabs screen back with Internationals. Chrysler produced them here in Adelaide. Smaller ones shared the same base chassis as well. The AT4 Dodge was current from about 64-70. Base engine was a slant 6. The D5N an updated version went from 70 -about80. Base engine was the 245 hemi 6.Truck version. 318 then truck engines. Those engines were used at least to 8 ton tippers. The 245 was real slow in above 4 ton trucks!! The 318 actually did a decent job Those ugly ]to me at least] US Dodges were more basic than our trucks

[@MrGlenferd]

I had a 70 Fargo half ton. Loved that truck. Bought it in 76 for $400. Well abused. Took out the worn out slant 6 and put in a poly 318. Later put in a heavy 4 speed like in that truck. Drove it till it rusted away. Box survived so I cut it in half and it's my trailer. That'll do brake lock was a valve in series with the master cylinder which when applied locked the brakes on so truck wouldnt roll. Good if you had a winch or something. Usually in all makes those 5 bolt wheels were considered a 2 or 3 ton truck. 6 bolt wheels on the next heavier.

[@johnweisinger7390]

Fargo was in Canada also

[@willhorting5317]

Delving into the recesses of my aging memories...... I recall having a decently sized collection of Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Husky, and others whose brands I can't remember. I never intentionally destroyed any of them. Although, I did mess up several wheels/axles, by pressing down on them too hard while moving them around the floor.😁 Many of those little cars survived, to be played with by my sons, 30 years ago. The vehicles that I intentionally destroyed, were 1:24/1:25 scale metal ones. Made by Nylint (I think that's the proper spelling). There were 2 trucks in particular, that I played very rough with. One was (I believe it was) a Jeep pickup. Although it might have actually been a Chevy. It was red, with a white cab/roof. The other one looked like an early '60s Ford, that originally was a tow truck. I had many a demo derby, and stunt man jumps, using those 2 trucks.😁 Neither survived my childhood.😁😁 I recall that when they were finally in no condition to play with anymore, I blew each of them apart with good old fashioned M-80 fireworks... during the trucks' final "suicide jumps".😂😂😂😂

[@77yogurt]

That's THEE proper way to do it, brotherman!!

[@danmcclure6670]

I still have my MatchBox Dodge BP wrecker. Good condition - you can still read the decals. My father was Will Horting. I wonder if you are related.

[@willhorting5317]

@@danmcclure6670 being related is extremely hard to tell. My great-grandfather's (Horting) family moved to Kansas in the late 1800s. So I only know about us Kansas people.😁 I do recall being told, that the family moved to Kansas, from Pennsylvania. That's all I know. No one in my family has ever traced our ancestry.

[@willhorting5317]

@@danmcclure6670 and ironically, I went to school with kids from two different families of McClures.😂 As I said, this is in Kansas.

[@danmcclure6670]

@@willhorting5317 All of my father's Horting relatives are from PA until many moved to Florida in the 60's and 70's (that's where I am now)

[@bigjim5551212]

Fàrgo was in Canada as well. We had a 74 van and it showed DeSoto on that plate

[@googleusergp]

Dodge got out of the heavy duty market around 1975 in the US, but assembly continued beyond that in other countries/markets. Heavy duty trucks are still like this today. You can delete seats and delete options. On many heavy duty trucks, you have to specify self-canceling turn signals. In a truck application you want that extended operation of the turn signal into the swing of the turn so as to warn other motorists that you are turning. That is why self-canceling turn signals have to be spec'd on some trucks. I believe the Mico lock is used as a brake holding device for certain applications, in a sense a "line lock". Aerial bucket, construction and other similar vocational applications have it as an addition to the vehicle's parking brake to prevent rollaways and runaways on grades or with intense applications. Mico is still in business and is part of WABCO (what was once known as "Westinghouse Air Brake Company"). WABCO is part of the German firm ZF. We got the VIN, we win: D5 for D500, 1 for conventional cab, D for 14,000 to 16,001 # Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, G for 318 V8, 2 for 1972 model year, J for Windsor Ontario, Canada assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Windsor Ontario plant opened in 1928 and still operates under Stellantis today. It is the main minivan plant. The placard that said "Fargo" was used on US made/destined trucks well through the 1970s. Chrysler probably had a stack of them and just ran them out before changing them. 2/28/1972 was a Monday. T.O.N. stands for "Truck Order Number". This should be code W1 Dover White exterior paint.

[@Joe-d7m6k]

Windsor had a different plant that built these-- the main Chrysler plant is still in operation, but the plant that built this truck, and the Pilllette Rd. van plant are long gone.

[@googleusergp]

@@Joe-d7m6k Pillette Road was in operation until 2003 when the last of the B Series rolled off the line there.

[@robertmoir5695]

I ownned a yellow matchbox Dodge towing truck when i was a youngster I ll be 62 in fall

[@javierdenardo2607]

Send the toy to Paul Restorer

[@williamwalker9504]

I owned a 1974 D600 that was originally a Texaco aircraft fuel truck. It had this earlier cab design. Did they carry this cab on later for fleet trucks?

[@judgegixxer]

No way....I had the same Matchbox tow truck. Been awhile since I've seen that.

[@mountaincat2001]

413 was used in 72 motohome chassis.

[@TrashcanGarage]

As a kid, I always wanted Hot Wheels. Got Matchbox. I've still got 'em including that one. Can't imagine a leaning tower of power lugging one of those around tho.

[@dirkbonesteel]

351M engine in the background?

[@jerryezzell2492]

Never smashed my metal cars or trucks. Usually played with them, typically with dirty hands, until the paint began to wear or chip.

[@deutschland6022]

I have that BP tow truck in my collection.