The CSS and Adventurer
Sport
Trucks from the Sixties
Custom Sport Special Pickups were made available from 1964 to 1967
equipped with an optional package that added comfort, sporty looks and in
some cases, extra power under the hood.
Image from Dodge
Pickup Color History by Don Bunn
What is particularly noteworthy about the Custom Sport Special package was
the available 426 Wedge engine. Accompanied by a special set of custom
gauges and tachometer, the CSS package was most likely the first muscle
truck there ever was. This possibility makes the 426 powered CSS one of
the most collectible and sought after Dodge Trucks around. Even the CSS
package without the big powerplant is prized, mostly because the interior
differences are also a rare find.
The CSS started out as a concept vehicle which was sent out into the real world.
Multiple trucks were produced with various enhancements expressly for media
testing as an option possibility for future Sweptline Era Trucks. These
pickups were sometimes called "Palomino" trucks, as some Chrysler ads and
magazine road tests have shown. To view these road test articles, click the
links below:
Nearly any tonnage or body style could have the package, but most that are
known to be equipped with it are of the half or three-quarter
ton pickup variety. Some owners think that the stripes, because they are
so simplistic, are silly aftermarket or add on items installed by previous
owners. On the contrary, these stripes are the only true body markings
that designate the CSS. Unless one can see the bucket seats and interior
differences, there are only the stripes to set these trucks apart. Trucks
without the 426 wedge engine came equipped with the bucket seats,
steering wheel with large horn ring, full coverage carpet, and stripes
but were manufactured without the specialty gauges. Stripes came in a
contrasting color of black for light body hues and white for darker paint
jobs, much like how standard trim levels contrasted body color.
Here is an excellent example of a CSS
that has been neglected. These owners obviously do not have any idea what they
have, as told by the treatment this truck has recieved. In this case the truck
was originally 318/727 equipped, but the owner has opted for a rebuilt engine.
In all likelyhood, that engine is not the original powerplant.
Judging by these pics, the poor thing needs a new
owner who can take good care of it. The current driver uses it to go back and
forth to the bar for his daily weightlifting.
This is a true CSS, complete with the original 426
Max Wedge engine. It has some modifications, such as the chrome headlight doors
and custom wheels, but the truck is obviously well preserved and maintained.
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Take a good look at this image from the cover of Speed Mechanics, The
Magazine for Hot Rodders circa February `64. (Click here or the image on the left for the larger version)
At about this time was the introduction of the CSS, and by looking at this
it's easy to see how big a hit these trucks were. Hmm, are those fenderwell
headers on the left-side truck? Of course! They, along with dual quads on
top of the infamous crossram intake adorn the 426 Max-Wedge motor. (Special
thanks to Steve Dreibelbis of Bernville, PA for submitting this image)
(File Size: 105K) |
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| Here's an image which
depicts a Custom Sport Special Pickup in cartoonish form leading a pack of
hot rodders onto some racing. Note the wimpy F*#d product included in the
image. It seems kinda out of place (perhaps it serves as a bad example of
a pickup). (File Size: 81.5K) (Submitted by
Steve Dreibelbis) |
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Do you know where a CSS is located?? If you do, the proprietor of this Website
would like to get pictures of the truck and some information about it. You
will be reimbursed for film and/or developing if you desire. Please e-mail moparman@wsunix.wsu.edu or use the
Online Response Page for
more info.
What Does Galen Govier Think about the
CSS?
In the June `98 issue of Mopar Muscle, Galen Govier comments on a
letter written to him regarding a `64 CSS with the 426 Max Wedge Engine
installed. Among the many things he comments on, the collectibility is one
of the most notable. "...you can be assured the Custom
Sport Special with the 426S 4BBL Wedge is by far the most valuable Dodge
pickup ever made, in my opinion." Govier also commented on the
possibility of, "two Custom Sport Specials built with a
426 Hemi (1965 I believe). One was at the Chelsea proving grounds for
awhile." Can you believe that? These trucks are considered the most
valuable of all Dodge pickups, and they are so diverse that there may
have been prototype CSS trucks with the Hemi installed.
Reference for information above:
Govier, Galen V. "By the Numbers." Mopar Muscle June 1998: 81.
The Custom Sport Special Registry
Do you have a CSS? Looking for real-life examples of CSS trucks? Be sure to
check out the Dodge Custom
Sport Special Registry hosted by Ben Simons of Gainesville, FL.
The '68-'71 Adventurer
Images from Dodge Truck
Advertisement.
The CSS package was undoubtedly the
inspiration for the Adventurer trim level, available first in 1968. This package
complemented the availability of the 383 big-block engine, a welcome addition in
everyone’s book from ‘67. The Adventurer trucks possessed more visually obvious
clues than the CSS, and were far more popular in sales numbers. No paint and
tape alterations were made to Adventurers, instead, chrome "Adventurer" badges
adorned the rear quarters of the bed and a vinyl covering was added to the roof
for a soft-top look.
The Adventurer was aimed at attracting the booming market of camper buyers to
tough Dodge trucks with unique features. Many buyers realized that with bucket
seats, the optional power of a 383 engine, and the Adventurer package, these
Dodge trucks were well suited for rough duty with good looks and plush interior
comforts to match.
Image from Dodge Truck
Advertisement.
Among the options included with the Adventurer
package were such refinements as a chrome grille and front bumper, body-side trim,
carpet(as opposed to the rubber mat), specialty steering wheel with chrome horn
ring, chrome dash accents, cab drip-rail chrome, headliner, and extra insulation
throughout. For extra, one could opt for bucket seats and a center console or a
chrome rear bumper. Adventurer pickups were available through the '71 model year,
in which case the package was available in three similiar forms. Along with the
Adventurer, newly available was the Sport or S.E. designation. More for sales
than for extra options, these levels gave the buyer a wider selection of specific
features to choose from.
Adventurer Promotional
Materials |
| This is an image of a
press photo as released by Dodge on August 25th, 1968. You can see in the
photo that this truck has the round reflectors on the front and rear quarter
panels. These were OEM items until later (1970) when rectangular turn
signals replaced them in the same location. (Submitted by Steve
Dreibelbis)(File Size: 45.5K) |
| At right is an image of a Dodge promotional
postcard featuring a beautifully blue `69 Adventurer at play with some
skydivers. Note the lower body trim, wheel covers and hood mounted turn
signal indicators on this truck. (Submitted by Steve Dreibelbis)(File Size: 35.9K) |
| This is an image of a 1971 Dodge Adventurer Truck
promotional postcard. It was pretty much like any other postcard, but it
had a pre-printed message on the reverse side which described the qualities
of a `71 Adventurer. (Submitted by Chris Lublin)(File Size: 20K) |
| At left is a scan of a more famous Dodge Truck
ad which features Don Knotts and, well, Don Knotts. The ad discusses the
finer points of a `71 Adventurer pickup.(File Size:
76K) (Submitted by Steve Dreibelbis) |
| Pre-History | A-100's | '61-Mid '65
Trucks | '65-67 Trucks | '68-'71 Trucks |
| CSS\Adventurer Trucks | Sweptline
Power Wagons | Medium/Heavy Duty
Trucks |
| Main Page | Online Response |
Part Sources |
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