Makes › Shelby American › Dakota (1989) · Specialist manufacturer · 1989 Rare
Shelby American
Dakota (1989)
Shelby V8 conversion of the Dodge Dakota Sport pickup
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Latvian98 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 1,475 Built
- Years
- 1989
- Engine
- V8 · 5,200 cc / 5.2 LFactory: 5.2 L
- Power
- 130 kW / 177 PSFactory: 175 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 357 (registry reported)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 1989 Shelby Dakota was a different kind of Shelby Dodge: a two-wheel-drive short-bed Dakota Sport with the 5.2-litre V8 replacing the 3.9-litre V6, giving 175 hp and 270 lb-ft.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productioncars voluntarily entered in the Shelby Registry list for the 1989 Dakota (24% of the registry's production figure); a registration count that includes entries reported totalled or destroyed, not a survivor census | 3572 | Surviving examples | Registry reported |
| Total model productiontotal production: 480 white, 995 red | 1,4751 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Shelby started from the two-wheel-drive short-bed Dakota Sport and fitted the factory throttle-body injected 5.2-litre V8, with twin electric fans in front of the radiator because of the tight space. A four-speed automatic with locking torque converter and a 3.90 limited-slip differential were used, along with Shelby five-spoke wheels on 225/70HR-15 Goodyear Eagle GT+4 tyres. Cars came in red or white with a large airdam, a fiberglass light bar behind the cab, V8 fender logos and Shelby decals.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Dakota (1989).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | V83 Registry reported |
| Displacement | 5,200 cc / 5.2 LFactory: 5.2 L3 Registry reported |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Factory throttle-body injection3 Registry reported |
| Power | 130 kW / 177 PSFactory: 175 hp · converted3 Registry reported |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | 366 NmFactory: 270 lb-ft · converted3 Registry reported |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Four-speed automatic with locking torque converter, 3.90 limited-slip differential3 Registry reported |
|---|---|
| Gears | 43 Registry reported |
| Driven wheels | Rear3 Registry reported |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| 0–60 mph | 8 s3 Registry reported |
| Standing ¼ mile | 16.5 s3 Registry reported |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Shelby Registry (shelbyregistry.com) – 1989 Dakota Level B
- 1475 total production: 480 white, 995 red
-
2
1989 Dakota registered cars Level B Shelby Registry (shelbyregistry.com)
- 357 registered (24%)
-
3
1989 Dakota Level B Shelby Registry (shelbyregistry.com)
- factory throttle-body injected 5.2L V8
- 5.2L V8
- total of 175HP and 270 lb-ft of torque
- 175HP and 270 lb-ft of torque
- four speed automatic with locking torque converter with a 3.90 ratio limited slip diff
- four speed automatic
- two-wheel drive shortbed Dakota Sport
- 0-60: 8.0 seconds
- Quarter mile: 16.5 seconds
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