EDITOR’S NOTE: Murilee Martin wrote his first put up for Autoblog in 2015, takes on automotive historical past that rapidly took the type of the Junkyard Gems of as we speak. This uncommon Ramcharger is his 1,000th put up. For the event, he is additionally offering put up No. 1,001, itemizing his 5 all-time favourite Junkyard Gems, so test that out too. Like he says, perhaps they make sense, perhaps they do not!
As a result of autos from Canada and Mexico could also be operated in the USA for one 12 months after crossing the border, loads of vehicles and vans not initially offered right here could be noticed on our streets. Inevitably, a few of these machines fail to make it again dwelling, washing up in junkyards as a result of they cannot be registered legally on this nation. Right this moment’s Junkyard Gem is such a automobile: a third-generation Ramcharger, a truck offered solely in Mexico and now residing in a Denver self-service boneyard.
I’ve discovered fairly just a few discarded autos initially offered in Canada or Mexico lately, together with a Mexican-market 2006 Peugeot 407, a Mexican-market 2017 Renault Duster (nonetheless with Finances de México stickers), a Mexican-market Nissan Tsuru of indeterminate classic, a Mexican-market 2009 Chevrolet Chevy (aka Opel Corsa), a Mexican-market 2008 Nissan Aprio (aka Dacia Logan), a Canadian-market 1991 Honda Civic, a Canadian-market 1985 Peugeot 505, a Canadian-market 1997 Acura EL and a Canadian-market 2004 Acura EL.
This truck has outdated registration stickers from the State of Zacatecas, which is greater than 1,400 miles due south of the place it now resides.
Two-door massive SUVs had fallen out of favor with automobile buyers in the USA lengthy earlier than this truck was constructed, however remained fashionable in Mexico. So, the Dodge Ram pickup supplied the platform and plenty of inside parts from Chrysler minivans had been used inside.
Meeting passed off in Coahuila, on the Saltillo Truck Meeting Plant. Manufacturing of this era of Ramcharger ran from the 1999 by way of 2001 mannequin years.
All 1999-2001 Ramchargers had V8 energy and rear-wheel-drive. This one has the great outdated 360-cubic-inch (5.9-liter) pushrod Magnum small-block and a four-speed automated.
The mechanical parts will match same-era Rams and Durangos, however a lot of the inside stuff is Ramcharger-specific and never more likely to be bought by Denver junkyard buyers.
So imposing (impone), the police are afraid to present it parking tickets.