- Ram revives classic Dude nameplate with a bright green SEMA concept.
- Mopar adds 22-inch wheels, black trim, and a lowered stance to the 1500.
- The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 gets a Mopar cold air intake for 395 horsepower.
Automakers often dip into their archives for inspiration, but few do it with quite as much flair as Ram. Ahead of the SEMA Show, the company has unveiled a sporty new take on the Ram 1500 that blends vintage attitude with modern muscle.
Officially dubbed the Dude Ram 1500 Concept, this mean, green machine won’t be pulling into your local Cars & Coffee anytime soon, as it’s strictly a one-off showcase piece. Well, for now, at least.
Read: New Ram Hemi Street Truck Is A Supercharged Middle Finger To Off-Road Bros
The special model is inspired by the original Dodge Dude, introduced as a special trim level for the D100 pickup in 1970. It added a sporty exterior theme that included special decals and was available in a startling shade of green. For SEMA, Mopar has brought the Dude into the modern world.
For starters, the special truck is now painted in Sublime Green, which contrasts with the satin black graphics. Mopar has then added a custom performance hood to the truck and blacked out the wing mirrors, roof, and front grille.
The lowered suspension gives the Dude a more planted stance, complemented by 22×10-inch satin black wheels. Bespoke pieces, including a front splitter, custom side skirts, and side-exit exhausts, add another layer of aggression that sets it apart from the usual lifted crowd.
Interior and Performance Upgrades
There’s plenty to like about the interior of the Dude Ram 1500 Concept, too. It’s trimmed in black leather across the seats and complete with bright green contrast stitching and features a special badge on the dashboard, a small safe in the center console, and an instrument panel rail that can hold various items, including a cowboy hat.
Mechanically, changes are modest but purposeful. A Mopar cold air intake feeds the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, keeping output steady at 395 hp. It’s not a performance overhaul, but the concept’s visual swagger suggests Ram isn’t trying to start a horsepower war here.
Mopar has made no mention of whether any of the parts or accessories fitted to this concept will find their way into production. But if they did, we think they could prove quite popular.
Low-slung pickups remain rare in a market dominated by high-riders like the Ram 1500 RHO and Ford F-150 Raptor. That alone makes this concept something of a standout. We say, build it, Ram.
