The classic sports car market gets more attention, but classic pickup trucks are just as appealing. Whether you restore it yourself or buy it ready to go, these eye-catching trucks are a joy to drive and come with fascinating histories. Here are six of the best classic American pickup trucks to consider buying.
1. Hudson Big Boy C28 (1939-1947)
The Hudson Big Boy C28 has a fascinating history. In the early days of American Motors Corporation (AMC), the company struggled to keep up with the Big Three automakers of General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford. AMC executives felt like they needed to do something different to stand out, which is how the Hudson Big Boy C28 was born.
AMC converted the Hudson Commodore sedan into a stylish and powerful (for its time) pickup truck. The Hudson Big Boy was designed by Betty Thatcher Oros, the first woman to design an American automobile.
The first batch of Big Boys was produced in 1939 and was a fast success. However, production paused from 1942 to 1945 due to World War II. Production started again following the war but was halted for good in 1947. This limited run makes the Hudson Big Boy C28 a rarity on the classic market.
2. Chevrolet 3100 (1947-1955)
The Chevy 3100 was part of Chevrolet’s Advance-Design series of light and medium-duty trucks. Other models in this series included the 3600, 3800, Loadmaster, Thriftmaster, and GMC New Design. This series marked Chevrolet’s first major redesign in the post-war period.
The Advance-Design series was a massive success for Chevy. From 1947 until it was discontinued in 1955, Chevrolet trucks were No. 1 in US sales. The sleek, classically styled truck is also powerful thanks to an in-line six engine. The look of the 3100 has aged well, making it an excellent choice for auto collectors in the market for a classic pickup truck.
3. Dodge Power Wagon (1945-1980)
The Dodge Power Wagon was introduced in 1945 and enjoyed an impressive 35-year run before being discontinued in 1980. It was then re-introduced in 2005 and has remained in production since. The current Power Wagon is a four-wheel drive version of the Dodge Ram 2500.
The original Power Wagon was based on Dodge’s 3/4-ton WC series of trucks, which the US military used in World War II.
4. Ford F-250 Highboy (1967-1977)
The original Ford F-250 Highboy was essentially the pickup truck version of a muscle car. The truck was called the Highboy due to a four-inch suspension lift. The Highboy came equipped with 31-inch tires, but these could easily be swapped out for 35-inch tires, thanks to the truck’s wired suspension system.
The 10-year run of the F-250 Highboys featured the same drivetrain system as two-wheel drive trucks, which allowed the transmission to join the transfer case with a short driveshaft. Today, the Highboy is one of the most sought-after pickup trucks on the classic car market.
5. Jeep Gladiator & J-Series (1963-1987)
The Jeep Gladiator was one of the best-selling American pickup trucks from 1963 until 1971 when Jeep rebranded the Gladiator with its new J-Series designations. The truck stayed the same, but the J-Series was used to differentiate between different models.
After focusing on military vehicles throughout World War II, Jeep turned its sights on the consumer market. The Gladiator was one of its first commercial successes and remained in production for nearly a quarter century. The J-Series trucks came equipped with powerful engines and a variety of engine choices for consumers.
The original Jeep Gladiator came with a small 3.6-liter incline-six-cylinder engine, but truck buyers had a choice of many other powerful options as well. The standard Gladiator had rear-wheel drive but could be upgraded to all-wheel drive.
6. Dodge Lil’ Red Express Truck (1978-1979)
Part pickup truck, part hot rod, the 1978 Dodge Lil’ Red Express Truck is one of the most unique classic trucks. Upon its release, this truck was the fastest American vehicle from 0 to 100 mph, according to Car and Driver magazine.
A loophole in emissions regulations allowed the 1978 Dodge Lil’ Red Express to be built without a catalytic converter. The truck came equipped with a high-performance 360 C.I. 4-barrel small block engine code (EH1). This engine was a modified version of the 360 police engine and produced a net horsepower of 225 at 3800 rpm. The Express Truck also had Hemi-style mufflers, a 727 transmission, and 3.55:1 rear gearing.
The Lil’ Red Express debuted just as the muscle car era was ending. It was a performance truck even though consumer preferences had shifted toward luxury vehicles. Dodge outfitted the Lil’ Red Express with luxury cabin features to appeal to these new tastes. Buyers had their choice of cabin finishing options, including several options for door panels and dashboards, along with a choice of red or black seats.
The combination of chic aesthetics and power under the hood makes the Dodge Lil’ Red Express a prized vehicle for classic truck enthusiasts.