{"product_id":"hot-wheels-boulevard-1978-dodge-lil-red-express-truck","title":"Hot Wheels Boulevard No. 145 1978 Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck","description":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Pickup That Embarrassed Muscle Cars\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe traffic lights turn green… and the truck launches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot a sports car. Not a muscle coupe. A stepside pickup with chimney stacks punching the sky and a V8 barking through chrome pipes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1978, this truck shocked everyone. It hauled timber by day and hunted Corvettes by night, thundering past cars that thought trucks were slow. Oak rails rattling, exhaust roaring, and a grin stretched wider than the road ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis one speaks to the kid who loved loud, outrageous machines — and the collector who knows this truck rewrote the rules.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Real Truck\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1978 Dodge Li’l Red Express Truck\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEngine:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.9L (360 cu-in) E58 V8, front-mounted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 168 kW\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrivetrain:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rear-wheel drive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHighlights:\u003c\/strong\u003e Police-spec V8, oak bed trim, dual chrome exhaust stacks, bold factory hot-rod styling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Factory Hot Rod\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Li’l Red Express was unlike anything else on American roads. By exploiting an emissions classification loophole — its weight exempted it from catalytic converters — Dodge created a pickup that became the fastest American-made vehicle from 0–100 mph in 1978.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts modified 360 V8, true dual exhaust with Hemi-style mufflers, and lightweight stepside body meant it could out-accelerate contemporary Corvettes and Trans Ams. Finished in bright red with gold decals and chrome stacks behind the cab, it was proudly marketed as part of Dodge’s legendary \u003cem\u003e“Adult Toys”\u003c\/em\u003e lineup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust 2,188 examples were built in its first year, and the 1978 model remains the most desirable thanks to its raw, uncorked exhaust design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTechnical Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Age:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAssortment:\u003c\/strong\u003e GJT68-958F - Hot Wheels Premium – Boulevard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e JHW27\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear of Release:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHot Wheels Premium cars are not compatible with Hot Wheels track playsets.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hot Wheels Premium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47288539218169,"sku":"194735336593","price":9.79,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0174\/6747\/3984\/files\/JHW17_001.webp?v=1770344740","url":"https:\/\/www.toys101.co.nz\/products\/hot-wheels-boulevard-1978-dodge-lil-red-express-truck","provider":"Toys101","version":"1.0","type":"link"}