As a car enthusiast, I take a certain pride (or maybe shame?) in my ability to identify almost any car on the road. So, imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a vehicle in my local vet’s parking lot that completely stumped me. It was a remarkably clean, boxy SUV that looked like it rolled straight out of the 1980s. Intrigued, I knew I had to investigate further.
A Mystery Machine Unveiled: The Dodge Raider
My initial attempts to identify the vehicle using its remaining badging proved fruitless. A “Dodge” emblem on the grille and a small “Ram” inscription on the side offered little clues. It wasn’t until the vehicle drove away that I caught a glimpse of the word “Raider” on the tailgate. Finally, a lead!
A quick Google search, however, led me down a rabbit hole of “Ram Raider” gaming results – not quite what I was looking for. After refining my search to “Dodge Ram Raider,” the fog began to clear.
The Dodge Raider, it turned out, was a short-lived product of the curious Mitsubishi-Dodge partnership of the 1980s. While this collaboration brought us gems like the turbocharged Starion (Dodge Conquest), the Raider wasn’t as fortunate.
junkyard find 1987 dodge raider
A Dodge Raider in surprisingly good condition.
A Rebadged Pajero with Questionable Upgrades
The Raider began its life as the Mitsubishi Pajero (known as the Montero in the US), a capable off-roader already five years into its production run before being rebranded as a Dodge. Initially marketed as a commercial vehicle in Japan, Mitsubishi attempted to inject some passenger-car luxury into the Pajero – think heated front seats and “Genuine Leather Headrests.” Unfortunately, these “upgrades” did little to elevate the Raider’s appeal when it reached American shores in 1987.
junkyard find 1987 dodge raider
The Raider’s interior: a blend of ruggedness and dated luxury.
Lackluster Engines: The Raider’s Achilles’ Heel
Under the hood, the Raider offered two underwhelming engine options: a 2.6L 4-cylinder and a 3.0L V6, both available with either a manual or automatic transmission. The 2.6L, a naturally aspirated version of the Starion’s turbocharged unit, mustered a meager 109 horsepower and 142 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0L V6 wasn’t much better, producing 143 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque.
junkyard find 1987 dodge raider
The 3.0L V6: not known for its performance prowess.
Acceleration, regardless of the engine and transmission combination, was best described as glacial, with 0-60 mph times exceeding 12 seconds. To add insult to injury, neither engine developed a reputation for reliability. Online forums dedicated to the Raider, Montero, and Pajero are rife with tales of mechanical woes.
A Short-Lived Legacy
Perhaps due to its lackluster performance and questionable reliability, the “Raider by Mitsubishi for Dodge” (yes, that’s how it was marketed) only lasted for three years. It quickly faded into automotive obscurity, remembered by few and coveted by even fewer.
junkyard find 1987 dodge raider
A relic of a bygone era: the Raider’s rear three-quarter view.
Interestingly, the Raider name lives on in other parts of the world. Mitsubishi currently sells a pickup truck called the Triton in most markets, but it’s known as the Raider in the US.
junkyard find 1987 dodge raider
A glimpse into the Raider’s off-roading capabilities.
My encounter with the pristine Dodge Raider served as a reminder that even the most forgettable vehicles have a story to tell. While it may not be the most sought-after classic, it holds a unique place in automotive history as a curious footnote in the annals of both Dodge and Mitsubishi.
What are your thoughts on the Dodge Raider? Share your memories or opinions in the comments below!