The A100 is a range of compact vans and trucks manufactured and marketed from 1964 to 1970 by Chrysler Corporation under the Dodge marque in the United States and the Fargo marque in Canada.

Dodge A100
Dodge A100 Sportsman
Overview
ManufacturerDodge (Chrysler)
Also calledFargo A100 (Canada)
Production1964–1970
AssemblyWarren, Michigan, United States (Warren Truck Assembly)[1]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact truck
Compact van
Body style2-door pickup truck
2-door van
LayoutFMR layout
PlatformChrysler A platform
Powertrain
Engine170 cu in (2.8 L) Slant-6 I6
225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-6 I6
273 cu in (4.5 L) LA V8
318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8
Transmission3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
WheelbaseSWB: 90.0 in (2,286 mm)
LWB: 108.0 in (2,743 mm)
Length171.0 in (4,343 mm)[2]
Width78.6 in (1,996 mm)[3]
Chronology
PredecessorDodge Town Panel
SuccessorDodge B-series

The A100 competed with the Ford Econoline, Chevrolet Van, Chevy Corvair Greenbrier, and the Volkswagen Type 2. The range included a pickup truck and van, both with a "forward control" design. Placing the driver on top of the front axle with the engine between the front seats, just behind the front wheels makes it a "cab over" vehicle. The unibody vehicles used a short 90 in (2,286 mm) wheelbase. An A108 was also available from 1967 to 1970, with a longer 108 in (2,743 mm) wheelbase. The A108 was popular with camper conversion companies.[4] A substantially modified, Hemi-powered A100 wheelstanding exhibition pickup called the "Little Red Wagon" driven by Bill "Maverick" Golden was a popular drag strip attraction from the 1960s to the early 2000s.[5]

Engines

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  • 1964–1966 170 in3 (2.8 L) Slant-6 I6, 101 hp (75 kW)
  • 1970 198 in3 (3.2 L) Slant-6 I6, 125 hp (93 kW)
  • 1964–1970 225 in3 (3.7 L) Slant-6 I6, 145 hp (108 kW)
  • 1965–1966 273 in3 (4.5 L) LA V8
  • 1967–1970 318 in3 (5.2 L) LA V8, 210 hp (160 kW)

L-Series trucks

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From 1966 to 1971, Dodge built L-Series medium-duty Cabover Engine trucks with a tilting forward-control cab based on the forward body of the A-100.[6][7]

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The Dodge A100 was featured in the American television series That '70s Show episode "Red's Last Day", as Michael Kelso's new van.[8] It also appeared in the movie Cars as the character Dusty Rust-eze, in the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, as well as the comedy Stealing Harvard. An A100 appeared in many different colors in the 1960s Batman TV series. More often than not, it was the preferred getaway vehicle of each episode's villain.

The Dodge Little Red Wagon was a famous exhibition drag racing truck introduced in 1965 based on the A100 pickup.

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References

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  1. ^ "Dodge Truck Vehicle Serial Numbers". The '61-'71 Dodge Truck Website. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  2. ^ "Dodge A100 Dimension Chart". Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  3. ^ "Dodge A100 Dimension Chart". Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  4. ^ "Dodge A-trucks". allpar. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  5. ^ "Little Red Wagon". allpar. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  6. ^ -L- No real name given. "Flickr Photo of a Dodge L-Series fire engine owned by the Bytown Fire Brigade". Flickr.com. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  7. ^ "Dodge L-Series". Old Dodges.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  8. ^ "1965 Dodge A-100 in 'That '70s Show, 1998-2006'". Internet Movie Cars Database. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
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