Chevrolet K20
The Chevrolet K20 was the sweet spot of Chevy's legendary C/K lineup. It had a 350 or 402 big-block V8, full-time four-wheel-drive, and nearly indestructible construction, which made it tackle jobs that would break lesser trucks.
Chevrolet C10 "Action Line"
The prom king of classic trucks, the C10 has sleek body lines and an independent front suspension that actually makes it comfortable to drive. Clean short-bed examples now fetch insane money at auctions, especially if they have big engines and factory paint.
GMC Sierra Grande / High Sierra
GMC's upscale answer to Chevy's Square Body offered fancier trim and badges, but underneath it was the same proven formula. Buyers back then didn't appreciate the prestige difference, but today's collectors certainly do.
Ford F-100 (5th Gen)
The perfect balance between work truck toughness and genuine style, Ford somehow managed to nail it in one package. Twin I-Beam suspension was revolutionary for ride comfort, while V8 options provided all the muscle you needed.
Ford F-150 (6th Gen)
This was the F-150's debut as America's new half-ton hero, replacing the beloved F-100 with a bigger presence and bolder styling. Engines ranged from practical sixes to massive 460 V8s that could tow anything.
The next trio proves that underdogs can be really valuable too...
The next trio proves that underdogs can be really valuable too...
Dodge D100/D200 Sweptline
These angular Dodges played second fiddle to Ford and Chevy back in the day, but their distinctive styling and big-block 383 or 440 engines make them cult favorites now. Once cheap farm trucks working in obscurity, well-restored Sweptlines now steal the spotlight at every major auction house.
International Harvester D-Series Pickup
IH built trucks for work, not flash, with bulletproof inline-sixes and V8s that refused to quit. The D-Series looked sharp with its boxy styling and had the mechanical guts to back up the appearance. Finding a rust-free survivor today is like striking gold in the truck world.
Sometimes, weirdness becomes valuable…
Sometimes, weirdness becomes valuable…
Chevrolet Corvair Rampside
Rear engine placement was weird enough, but that fold-down side ramp for cargo loading was pure genius ahead of its time. Practical, bizarre, and completely unique in truck history. Today, its rarity and novelty factor make it an instant conversation starter at any car gathering.
Dodge A100 Pickup
Looked like a shoebox on wheels with its cab-over design and snub nose, but that compact packaging was surprisingly practical for tight spaces. These quirky van-truck hybrids were utilitarian oddballs that collectors now adore for their unmistakable charm and period-correct weirdness.
Speaking of weird, wait until you see what the imports were doing...
Speaking of weird, wait until you see what the imports were doing...
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45 Pickup
This was basically a tank disguised as a truck, with straight-six power and Land Cruiser toughness that could handle anything. Once just rugged tools for farms and desert work, pristine examples now command sky-high prices as collectors chase every surviving Cruiser.
Datsun 620 Pickup "Bulletside"
Funky, rounded fenders and reliable four-cylinder engines helped cement Datsun's reputation for building small but mighty trucks that just wouldn't give up. Once dismissed as cheap imports, restored Bulletsides now bring serious auction bids, especially in original bright colors with long beds.
Toyota Hilux RN20/25
Early Hilux models were compact, simple, and pretty much unbreakable, which paved the way for Toyota's legendary reliability reputation. Farmers and tradesmen worked most of them into the ground, which makes clean survivors incredibly scarce and valuable to today's discerning collectors.
The Japanese weren't the only ones making some truck magic...
The Japanese weren't the only ones making some truck magic...
Dodge Ramcharger SE Pickup
The Ramcharger SE represented Dodge's ambitious entry into the emerging full-size SUV market. It was built on their proven D-series truck platform, and the two-door design offered buyers the choice between a removable hardtop or a soft canvas roof system.
Subaru BRAT
Subaru's brilliant loophole truck featured rear-facing jump seats to dodge U.S. import tariffs, creating one of the quirkiest vehicles of the decade. Once considered to be cheap automotive oddballs, BRATs are now prized collectibles that enthusiasts love dearly.
Mazda Rotary Pickup
The only rotary-powered pickup ever sold in America, featuring a 13B engine that sang all the way to 7,000 rpm like no truck before or since. Once completely unloved by mainstream buyers, REPU values have absolutely skyrocketed as enthusiasts finally embrace their rarity and oddball charm.
Speaking of rarity...
Speaking of rarity...
Ford F-250 Camper Special
Ford's F-250 Camper Special was, well, special. Equipped with reinforced rear springs, an uprated alternator, and enhanced cooling systems, the F-250 was built to handle serious loads. The 352 FE V8 wasn’t bad either, giving drivers plenty of power to haul around campers, boats, and just about anything they wanted.
Let’s talk about some rare trucks as well…
Let’s talk about some rare trucks as well…
Volkswagen Type 2 Double Cab
Volkswagen offered the best of both worlds with room for passengers up front and cargo space in back. They were rare in the U.S. market but common overseas. Today, American collectors pay absolute top dollar for these, making them some of the priciest VW pickups around.
Land Rover Series III 109 Pickup
Refined the legendary Land Rover formula with updated electrics and interior improvements while keeping that bulletproof drivetrain that made them famous. Collectors now chase clean examples and pay dearly for rust-free, original-specification survivors.
Jeep J10/J20 Pickup
Kept Jeep's off-road legacy alive with AMC V8 engines, heavy-duty Dana axles, and enough rugged charm to win over practical buyers. Farmers loved their capability, hunters trusted their reliability, and now, collectors love these quirky, undeniably cool workhorses.
Let’s look at some unexpected success stories...
Let’s look at some unexpected success stories...
Holden Sandman Panel Ute
Australia's answer to lifestyle pickup culture with bright colors, bold racing stripes, and shag-carpet interior vibes that perfectly captured the era. Powered by inline-sixes or V8s, it worked equally well as a surf wagon or a work truck.
Studebaker Champ Pickup
Quirky yet forward-thinking, the Studebaker borrowed car-like styling from the Lark sedan and offered a much smoother ride than most rivals could match. Sales flopped against Ford and Chevy's mainstream appeal, but the remaining Champs are now considered rare collectibles.
Ford Bronco Half-Cab Pickup
The First-generation Broncos had a rare pickup option, turning the popular SUV into a tidy short-bed truck with serious off-road capability and V8 power. It is no surprise that it's now one of the most collectible Bronco variants ever produced.
Ford Courier
Before the Ranger existed, Ford outsourced small truck needs to Mazda, slapping blue oval badges on B-Series trucks and calling them Couriers. Today, unmodified Couriers are genuinely rare finds that climb fast in dedicated collector circles.
Datsun 521 Pickup
The company that brought Japanese pickup trucks into American mainstream consciousness with zippy 1.6-liter four-cylinder power and surprising reliability. Most got worked into the ground over decades of faithful service, which makes properly restored examples incredibly desirable.
International Harvester Travelette
Years ahead of its time as a crew-cab pickup, the Travelette offered family space and work capability in one practical package. Back then, nobody properly appreciated the innovation and versatility. Now collectors pay serious premiums for these genuine unicorns of vintage utility truck design.
Jeep Gladiator J2000/J3000
Before Gladiator became a reboot name, it represented Jeep's rugged pickup line built on proven Wagoneer bones with serious off-road credentials. Available with dependable inline-sixes and V8 options for different needs. Gladiators are genuinely rare now, and the current nostalgia wave has driven values through the roof.
Peugeot 404 Pickup
The French swear by this pickup’s reliability and durability. And rightly so. The Peugeot 404 pickup has a four-cylinder engine along with a nearly indestructible chassis design. These are incredibly rare to find, and that scarcity drives value even more.
Mercedes-Benz 220D Pickup (South America Conversion)
Factory-authorized South American conversions created this oddball: a Mercedes pickup with diesel reliability and genuine Benz build quality in truck form. While unknown to most collectors, surviving examples now sell for surprising sums.
Mitsubishi Forte Pickup
Later known as Mighty Max or L200 in different markets, the first-generation Forte debuted with dependable four-cylinder power and global appeal. It was an affordable and reliable vehicle that proved to be popular worldwide. Collectors now actively hunt early Fortes, since clean survivors are surprisingly scarce and steadily climbing in value.
And finally, four more gems that prove the classic truck market still has surprises...
And finally, four more gems that prove the classic truck market still has surprises...
Chevrolet K5 Blazer Pickup
Before the full convertible Blazer, Chevy offered a rare pickup version with a removable hardtop and a genuine truck bed. Four-wheel drive capability in a package nobody quite understood back then. However, today, these convertible workhorses are among the most sought-after Blazer variants.
Plymouth Trail Duster Pickup
Dodge's Ramcharger got a Plymouth twin that most people completely forgot existed, but the Trail Duster offered the same rugged capability with different badges. Available with everything from slant-sixes to big-block V8s for serious hauling power.
AMC J4000 Pickup
American Motors' heavy-duty truck offering that shared DNA with Jeep but wore AMC badges. Built tough for commercial use with serious payload capacity and available V8 power. Most got worked to death in commercial service, making clean survivors incredibly rare and valuable.
International Scout 800 Pickup
The Scout 800 offered a pickup bed variant that combined IH's off-road capability with practical hauling ability. Four-cylinder and V8 options provided flexibility, while the rugged construction meant they could handle anything.
Chevrolet LUV
Chevy's small pickup solution originated from an Isuzu partnership, and created the Light Utility Vehicle with a quirky name and solid mechanical foundation. They sold reasonably well, but rust claimed most survivors over the decades. However, that does not stop collectors from actively hunting clean examples.
Dodge Li'l Red Express
Pure late-seventies excess with a cheeky loophole that let Dodge skip catalytic converters on light trucks. The result? A 360 V8 that could outrun Corvettes, complete with exhaust stacks and wood trim. It was ridiculous then, and collectors absolutely eat up that ridiculousness to this day.
