Designer and Inspiration:

The Minitrek was designed by Larry Wood. It is based on the Dodge Ram 50 (a rebadged Mitsubishi Mighty Max), a popular compact pickup truck. This is the original name for the casting later called the "Dodge D-50."

Historical Context and Production Years:

The casting debuted in 1981 under the Minitrek name. Model 1697 with Blackwall (BW) wheels is from that period.

Unique Aspects:

The casting often came with a plastic camper shell accessory and sometimes a small plastic motorcycle that could be placed in the bed. The initial release was typically in yellow or red.

Similar Castings:

It is a direct predecessor to the "Dodge D-50" Real Riders version and is similar to other 80s compact truck castings.

Variations and Special Editions:

It was released in several colors. The presence and color of the camper shell and motorcycle accessories create many variations.