Your Old Truck Could Be Worth a Hefty Sum
You could probably have picked them up for a bargain when they first released, but now these trucks have risen in value and if you own one, you’re sitting on (or in) a small fortune! Here’s a selection of examples that have aged like fine wine.
Chevrolet 3100 (1947–1955)
Post-WWII most trucks were still boxy and militaristic until the Chevy 3100 came along! It was curvy, smooth and turned a workhorse vehicle into a stylish expression of freedom. The classic look and a rising interest in resto-mods have raised its value through the roof.
Ford F1 (1948–1952)
The F-series is the best-selling vehicle line in American history, and it all started with the OG F1, a post-war design that eschewed car-based platforms to become a true truck. Its history makes it collectible, but restorers and hot-rodders love its simplicity, too.
Dodge Power Wagon (1945–1980)
With roots in military trucks, the Dodge Power Wagon is a rugged, tank-like beast equally comfortable rolling across farms or battlefields. Its wrench-friendly mechanics and cockroach-like survivability give it a cult following, and mint examples are rare, adding extra interest.
Chevrolet Task Force 3100 (1955–1959)
When the Task Force 3100 came along, it represented practicality and aesthetics in one optionally v8-powered, chrome-covered package. The first year will have collectors doing cartwheels, but all of them are hot-rodder favorites; you’re looking at $120,000+ for top-end prices.
Ford F100 (1953–1956)
As its name suggests, the Ford F100 was a huge leap on from the F1, with better suspension and sleeker lines. However, the real money is in the ’56 model, which featured a wraparound windshield and vertical A-pillars that were only available for a year!
GMC Blue Chip Series (1955–1959)
Offering a premium alternative to Chevy’s Task Force trucks, the Blue Chip Series had more chrome and inline-6 engines (or V8s, if you were lucky). They’re rarer than most Chevys of the era and frequently came with extra factory upgrades, making them even more valuable.
Jeep Willys Pickup (1947–1965)
Willys Pickup offers good, old-fashioned 4WD utility that could survive a nuclear apocalypse and still work well enough to haul away the debris. Off-road collectors love its early 4x4 heritage, and restored versions are a valuable, rare find.
Chevrolet C10 (1960–1966)
The C10 was designed to look just as good hauling as it was parked outside a stylish 1960s diner and had proportions that Chevy fans salivate over. It’s also a popular choice for LS swaps and Resto-mods, adding to its desirability.
Ford Bronco (First Gen) (1966–1977)
The Bronco is a long-running series that has pop culture notoriety (thanks, OJ) but the first gen offered a competitive off-road flex and a removable top to make fans blush. Since its popularity skyrocketed, resto-mods and restored models are worth their weight in gold.
International Harvester Scout 800 (1965–1971)
Tractor company IH essentially released a rugged tractor in a truck cosplay, and its charm adds value. Despite being bulletproof, many units were driven into the ground, so surviving examples are rare; however, high-end resto-mods have made them popular again.
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 Pickup (1960–1984)
The FJ40 became legendary for being able to cross anything you threw at it - desert, snow, mountains or mud - with gusto. The pickup variant’s like a unicorn on muddied wheels, and in North America it’s even rarer!
Datsun 620 (1972–1979)
If you wanted truck utility without a V8 gas bill, the Datsun 620 was the go-to vehicle. It had durability, peppy performance and because it comes from Japan the JDM crowd go wild for it; their custom potential is huge.
Chevrolet K5 Blazer (1969–1972)
Combining 4x4 utility with recreational charm (courtesy of its completely removable top) the first gen K5 Blazer is a collector magnet, and its compatible parts with C/K trucks makes resto-modding super accessible. High-end prices can top $120,000+.
GMC Jimmy (1970–1972)
The Jimmy is the K5 Blazer’s twin with slightly different badging and trim. At the time it didn’t stand out much, but now those slight alterations have made it a collectible, and the limited production numbers reinforce that desirability. Jimmy resto-mods are big business.
Ford Ranchero GT (1970–1971)
When you combine the utility of a pickup truck with the performance of a muscle car you get the Ranchero GT, which could be optioned with a 429 Cobra Jet V8 engine for drag strip flex. They’re appealing to muscle car fans and pickup lovers alike.
Chevrolet El Camino SS (1970–1972)
Coming from the age where muscle cars roamed the earth, the El Camino SS is a muscle van that could leave a sports car eating dust while hauling hay bales like they’re nothing. The LS6 454 V8 engine models are especially rare.
Toyota Hilux SR5 (1979–1983)
“Top Gear” tried to destroy the Hilux and it just wouldn’t die. Snow, mountains, volcanos… it can ride over anything with its bulletproof workhorse engine and its boxy design has come back round to being retro-fashionable; clean survivors can bring in $70,000+.
Dodge D100 Adventurer (1972–1980)
A sleeper muscle truck that the Fords and Chevys of its day overshadowed, the modern era is the time for the D100 and its Adventurer trim to shine! Few units have survived to the present day and mopar fans are vacuuming them up.
Ford F150 Ranger XLT (1977–1979)
The F150 was a hunk of a truck, but the ranger XLT trim turned it into a working class luxury hero with chrome by the bucketload, plush interior and paint louder than its sound system. It’s highly desirable, and hit just before the emissions cuts hit performance.
Chevrolet Silverado K10 (1973–1987)
Silverados are already collectible, and the K10 4x4 models even more so; they’re packed with upgrade potential and over the last decade their values have shot into orbit! A combination of short beds with two-tone paint are appealing, and resto-modders can’t get enough.
Jeep J10 Honcho (1976–1983)
The J10 series got a glowup with the Honcho trim - it really leaned into the off-road aesthetic with flared fenders, denim interiors and an AMC V8 engine that gave its bark some bite. It was rare when it came out, now it’s as rare as rocking horse poop.
Dodge Lil’ Red Express Truck (1978–1979)
In 1978 the Lil’ Red Express Truck was the fastest american vehicle from 0-100 mph, and it was loud in more ways than one. In addition to its speed, its bright red paint job and chrome stacks made it legendary.
Chevrolet S-10 Baja (1988–1991)
A super-limited production of S-10s were given the Baja variant treatment; true to its name, its fog lights, lifted suspension, tubular bumpers and rad decals made it look Baja 100-ready. Most were driven until they were scrap, so rare survivors with ’80s retro cool are hot stuff.
Ford F-150 SVT Lightning (1993–1995)
The lovechild of a hauler and muscle car, Ford dropped the F-150, tightened its suspension and threw in a 5.8L V8 punch to create the SVT Lightning. It only built 11,500 units, and clean low-mileage versions are getting harder to come by.
Toyota Tacoma Xtracab 4x4 (1995–2000)
GMC Syclone (1991)
The unassuming Syclone was AWD with a turbocharged 4.3L V6 engine that could do 0–60 in 4.3 seconds… and that was in 1991! Its crazy performance has gathered quite the following, and only 2,995 were ever made, boosting its popularity.
Chevrolet 454 SS (1990–1993)
The 454 SS looked like a truck but it had a muscle car punch thanks to the 454-cubic inch V8 engine Chevy stuffed into its bay. A combination of the big block engine and short wheelbase catches hot-rodder attention, while the Onyx Black paint job was limited production.
Nissan Hardbody SE V6 (1986–1997)
NIssan saw the Hilux and answered with the Harbody. It looks like it belongs in a 1980s video game - which makes it retro cool now - and if you can get hold of a rare V6 model, it’s even more desirable.
Land Rover Defender 110 Pickup (1983–1990)
A Land Rover in truck form with military ruggedness and a safari DNA, the Defender 110 wasn’t officially sold in the U.S. during its production years, so legal imports are magnets for Land Rover enthusiasts. Resto-modders will pay an arm and a leg for one.
Mazda Rotary Pickup (REPU) (1974–1977)
The REPU is a quirky truck with a rotary engine that roars like a chainsaw and revs into orbit. It has a dedicated fan base - especially among JDM enthusiasts - and it released in limited numbers; combine that with few surviving members, and you have a popular truck!
Dodge Ramcharger AW-100 (1974–1981)
Dodge released the Ramcharger as an off-road bruiser to compete with the Bronco and Blazer, and boy, did it deliver! It had 4WD, V8 engine options and BTE (big truck energy) but the most appealing ones were the earlier models with removable tops.
Chevy Avalanche Z71 (2002–2006)
Before the cybertruck’s unique aesthetic, the Avalanche Z71 was pulling off a similar look, only it was also part Transformer - a fold-down panel could turn it into a pickup or SUV, and it had serious off-road muscle, too. It’s versatile, rugged, and values are sneaking up higher all the time.
Ford SVT Raptor (1st Gen) (2010–2014)
With its Fox shocks, widebody suspension and V8 engine (or 6.2L in later models), the Raptor was essentially a road-legal desert racer that looked aggressive enough to scare small children. Off-road cred, first gen charm and naturally aspirated engines are all appealing in unmodified models.
Hummer H1 Alpha Pickup (2006)
When the civilian H1 levelled up it evolved into the Alpha Pickup, the last of the original Hummer line and the power to match its tank-like appearance. It looks like a Mad Max luxury vehicle, and collectors will sell their soul for one.
Lincoln Blackwood (2002)
When Lincoln released the Blackwood - a pickup truck with a small bed covered in shag carpet - it wasn't just a huge flop - it was a laughing stock! It was too luxury for truck users and too truck-like for luxury drivers, so it was cancelled after a year. That very same short production life has led to a surge if interest and now its weird, quirky nature adds oddball appeal.
