24 Old School Pickup Trucks You Don’t See Anymore
Here’s a tribute to classic workhorses now replaced by tech-flaunting, modern pickup trucks. We must never forget. These old-school machines are a rare sight on the road nowadays, but they are remembered for their simple, rugged nature, a combination that defined American work life and adventure during their era.
We mustn’t forget how the iconic Ford Model TT set the stage for the art and act of people and cargo transportation in the early 20th century or how the more modern Chevrolet C/K introduced families and businesses to versatility and literally became a staple of American roads.
Thanks to electrification and autonomous technology, trucks are far more complex than their ancestors. The vintage pickups in this list, with their straightforward mechanics and no-nonsense design, remind us of simpler times when trucks were primarily the backbone of industries and trusted companions of off-road adventurers.
Ford Model TT (1917-1928)
The TT was the first purpose-built workhorse in the Blue Oval’s history. Though riding on the Model T’s commercial success worldwide, Ford built the Model TT with a reinforced chassis, allowing it to handle heavier loads up to a ton and power through demanding work environments.
People didn’t buy a full-bodied Model TT. Instead, Ford sold the strengthened chassis and dual rear wheels while the customers added their preferred bodies, from flatbeds to box trucks, via third-party manufacturers.
Thus, the Ford Model TT served all sorts of industrial and agricultural applications as well as businesses with delivery needs. Its heart was the same 20-hp 2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 2-speed planetary transmission used by the Model T.
Chevrolet 490 (1918-1922)
The 490 was a landmark nameplate that contributed tremendously to Chevrolet’s early success. Chevrolet offered the 490 at the attractive price of $490, effectively pitting it against Ford’s Model T, which dominated the market at the time. The 490’s straightforward design did not hide its utilitarian purpose. Its heart was a 2.8-liter straight-four engine mated to a 3-speed manual transmission to produce around 24-hp.
The car’s affordability was a major selling point, although it showcased innovative features to give it an edge over the Model T, particularly an optional battery and electric starter. Those were novel features at the time. Its steel frame made it sturdier than some of its competitors. It came in 2-door roadster, 4-door touring car, 2-door coupe, and 4-door sedan body styles.
International Harvester Truck (1930s)
It may not have the strength in numbers comparable to some competitors, but the International Harvester nonetheless found a loyal customer base among farmers and small businesses and any Joe who fancied a reliable light-duty workhorse. Its heart was a 33-hp 3.1-liter straight-4 engine mated to a 3-speed manual transmission.
Farmers, in particular, found the truck a trusted companion, making it widely popular in rural markets. In fact, the International Harvester truck often gets credit for pioneering the light-duty truck segment.
It arrived just in time for the automotive market’s rapid growth and vast potential for diversification. It taught America that trucks can serve various industries beyond agriculture.
Dodge Series 116 (1923-1928)
The Series 116 was a landmark nameplate, the first car in the marque’s history after the Dodge brothers’ death and their company sold to investment bankers at Dillon, Read & Co. Thus, the Series 116 heralded the automaker’s direction for the future, evolving from a niche manufacturer of utilitarian vehicles to a mass-market brand of more refined, comfortable cars.
The “116” in its name denoted its 116-inch wheelbase. Slightly longer than its predecessors while retaining the all-steel body construction that was a hallmark of earlier Dodge models, the Series 116 offered a more spacious interior and rugged build. The heart was a 35-hp 3.4-liter straight-four engine mated to a 3-speed manual transmission.
Studebaker E Series (1930s)
The E Series was born as Studebaker strived to make a name in the auto industry amid the 1930s Great Depression. Despite the economic downturn, the E-Series trucks gained a reputation for durability, versatility, and Studebaker’s characteristic flair.
Both the bodies and chassis were made of steel to withstand the demands of heavy-duty use, whether for industrial, agricultural, delivery, or construction applications.
The Studebaker E Series had various body configurations, including stake beds, panel vans, and pickups. The heart was typically straight-six engines, ranging from 3.6-liter displacements to larger engines prioritizing torque over speed.
Ford Model A Pickup (1928-1931)
As a pickup variant of the highly successful Model A, it benefited from its popularity and its predecessor’s (Ford Model T) legacy. The Model A was doubtless a popular light-duty truck of its time, produced from 1928 to 1931. The heart was a 3.3-liter straight-4 producing 40 hp and a top speed of around 60 mph, translating to increased performance over its Model T predecessor.
The Pickup rode on the same chassis as the Model A car but with a reinforced rear section to support the cargo bed. The bed was made of wood with steel framing and could haul 500 lbs. The cab featured a single bench seat, preferably for two passengers.
Chevrolet AK Series (1941-1947)
The AK Series was a pivotal lineage of light-duty trucks in Chevy’s history, especially during and after the Second World War. Their strength, versatility, and reliability made them popular for military and civilian use. Its heart was Chevrolet’s trusty “Stovebolt” inline-six engines, most notably the 3.5-liter displacement producing 90 hp.
The Stovebolt helped a great deal in making the AK Series popular in wartime because it was reliable and easy to maintain. It was paired with a 3- or 4-speed manual transmission. You could identify the trucks from miles away by their massive front grilles, boxy profiles, and round fenders.
Dodge Power Wagon (1946-1968)
The Dodge Power Wagon is another American military-focused truck that eventually got converted to civilian applications. The civilian Power Wagon inherited the WWII Dodge WC 4×4’s robust build and off-road readiness, making it a favorite among farmers, construction workers, and off-road enthusiasts.
Its heart was a low-torque, 94-hp 3.8-liter flathead straight-six engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission and a 4×4 system with a two-speed transfer case, so the driver can select between high and low range. It got a larger 4.1-liter engine for the 1961 model year.
The transmission featured a low gear for powering through extreme off-road conditions. The all-steel body rode on a ladder frame underpinning, while its short, sloped hood enhanced its badass ambiance.
Studebaker M-Series (1941-1948)
The M-Series turned a new chapter for Studebaker. They were a line of medium-duty trucks that proved particularly useful for the peculiar challenges of World War II and the post-war economy. The US military and its allies used the M-Series a lot, particularly the Studebaker US6 2.5-ton 6×6 M-Series variant.
Under the Lend-Lease Act, the US6 served the Soviet Union in the harshest terrains of the Eastern Front. With the war ended, Studebaker returned to making civilian M-Series, which retained most of their pre-war design but with updated features. Its heart was a 6-cylinder engine, most notably the 80-hp, 2.8-liter “Champion” L-head inline-six. The heavier-duty models used a larger 3.7-liter displacement called the “Commander.”
International Harvester KB-Series (1947-1949)
Like the AK Series, Power Wagon, and M-Series, the International Harvester KB-Series served the military and civilian populations. It was a popular medium-duty truck series in the post-World War II era, perfect for farmers and equally useful to small business owners and anyone looking for a reliable workhorse for commercial or personal use.
They stood out with their art-deco-inspired design, featuring a sprawling front grille with horizontal bars flanked by large, round headlights. They came in pickups, panel vans, and larger truck configurations, powered by International Harvester’s inline-six engines, most notably the “Green Diamond” 3.5-liter producing 82 hp. The larger models featured a larger 4.4-liter and 4.9-liter displacements.
GMC New Design (1947-1955)
As its name suggests, the 1947-1955 GMC New Design marked a significant shift in GMC’s design and engineering philosophy, introduced as part of GMC’s post-World War II lineup. They came in chassis cabs, stake beds, panel trucks, and pickup configurations.
They were designed to look towards the future with a more modern aesthetics, highlighted by a bold, horizontal front grille design and a rounder body. The trucks got motivation from several engines, including in-house-made straight-sixes.
The standard mill was the famous 3.7-liter “Stovebolt” producing 90 hp, while the larger New Design models (such as the GMC 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks) benefited from larger 4.1-liter and 4.4-liter displacements.
Ford F-1 (1948-1952)
The F-1 marked the F-Series’ journey to becoming the bestselling pickup truck of all time, with over 40 million units sold as of January 2022. The F-1 was early in Ford’s post-World War II truck line as an entry-level half-ton truck, kicking off its voyage from 1948 until 1952.
Its heart was a 3.7-liter “Flathead” V8 producing around 100 hp, along with an approximately 110-hp 3.9-liter flathead V8. Perhaps the F-Series became such a superstar because it never suffered an identity crisis in the form of various body styles. It was always a pickup but with various bed configurations and wheelbase lengths.
Chevrolet Advance Design (1947-1955)
The Advance Design is a landmark series both in Chevrolet’s and America’s pickup truck history. It introduced a sweeping evolution in Chevy’s truck design language, showcasing a more modern and functional design that laid the groundwork for future Chevy trucks.
The front grille got horizontal, and the fenders got rounder. The headlights looked more integrated in the front fascia. It was the first of such major redesigns following the end of the Second World War.
The Advance Design series received motivation from Chevrolet’s 216 cubic inch (3.5-liter) straight-six engine, producing 92 hp, while the later models featured the more powerful 3.9-liter straight-six, producing 105 hp.
Willys Jeep Truck (1947-1965)
The original Willy’s may be old school and a rare sight on the road, but there’s no denying its classic appeal and tremendous influence in American pickup culture. Produced from 1947 to 1965, the Willy’s Jeep Truck continued the Jeep brand’s hard-earned World War II legacy.
It was born with a 2.2-liter straight-4 nicknamed “Go Devil.” This heart produced around 60 hp, but another 2.2-liter called “Hurricane” delivered around 75 hp. These were sufficient figures for Willy’s time.
However, the Willys benefited from a more powerful 3.7-liter straight-six in the 1950s called “Super Hurricane,” producing up to 115 hp. Besides its engines, the Willys trucks were legendary for their four-wheel-drive capability.
Studebaker Transtar (1956-1958)
Studebaker offered the Transtar during the mid-1950s as part of its light and medium-duty truck lineup. They featured styling elements of Studebaker’s “President” and “Champion” models to achieve a more car-like appearance. It even featured a car-like dashboard with easy-to-read gauges and controls.
The Transtar got motivation from Studebaker’s 180-hp 4.2-liter V8 and a more powerful 4.7-liter V8, producing around 220 hp. These were impressive figures in the 1950s. The Transtar came with a flatbed body, stake beds, or a conventional pickup configuration with various wheelbase lengths and bed sizes.
Chevrolet Task Force (1955-1959)
The Task Force truck series introduced the first major redesign in Chevrolet’s pickup bloodline after World War II, showcasing updated styling, features, and engineering breakthroughs. It was born with a 3.9-liter straight-4 producing 140 hp.
It was later joined by a 4.3-liter V8 producing 162 hp. The series found fame with its attractive combination of modern design, performance, and practical features. The Chevrolet Action Line series replaced the Task Force in 1960.
Ford Ranchero (1957-1979)
The Ranchero, along with “crossbreed” compatriots like the Chevy El Camino, pioneered the car-pickup concept, laying the foundation for what would eventually be known as the ute in some markets.
In other words, the Ranchero was a car-based pickup truck featuring the front and mid-section of a car with a truck-like cargo bed in the rear. This unique design increased or subtracted from the vehicle’s practicality, depending on who you ask.
It rode on a car’s chassis but didn’t handle like one for obvious reasons. It was born with a distinctive “bullet-nose” grille that stood out from the later models.
Chevrolet El Camino (1959-1987)
Two years after Ford’s experiment with the Ranchero, GM’s Chevrolet offered its version of a car-pickup crossbreed called the El Camino. Like the Ranchero, the El Camino rode on the chassis of a passenger car and featured the front and torso of a car and the rear end of a truck.
Produced from 1959 to 1987, the El Camino’s design evolved with current trends in automotive styling. It was powered by straight-six and V8 engines, including a 3.9-liter straight-six and 5.4- and 5.7-liter V8 engines.
Jeep Gladiator (1962-1988)
The Gladiator is a legendary model in Jeep’s history and portfolio, introduced as a full-size truck and evolving through various generations over its production run. It beckoned adventurers and enthusiasts with its high ground clearance and off-road-focused boxy shape.
It flaunted the iconic front grille and round headlight that were signatures in Jeep’s traditional design language. Later models of the Gladiator incorporated updated styling cues without disturbing the iconic grille and the rugged athletics.
It was born with straight-six engines, such as the 140-hp 3.8-liter “Tornado”, while later models offered straight-six and V8 engines, including a 4.2-liter straight-six and 5.9-liter V8.
Dodge D-Series (1961-1980)
The D-Series were full-size trucks with various models, wheelbase lengths, and bed configurations, including flatbeds, classic cabs, and standard pickups. They featured a boxy design and rode on a ladder frame chassis, with a variety of bed lengths and body styles, including regular cabs and extended cabs.
The trucks got motivation from several straight-six and V8 engines, although the 5.2-liter V8 got the most attention in the 1960s and ‘70s. A larger 5.9-liter V8 came with the later models. In 1981, the Dodge D/W series replaced the D-Series.
Ford F-100 (1953-1983)
The F-100 was one of the longest-running iterations of the F-Series. It was produced from 1953 to 1983 and largely contributed to the F-Series’ dominance of the pickup truck market. The truck saw significant design, tech, and performance changes in the three decades it was produced.
The early models featured straight-six and V8 engines, including a 3.9-liter V8, while later models offered larger displacement V8 engines. The displacement grew to 5.8-liter and 6.6-liter V8 in the 1970s and ‘80s, producing 160 to 220 hp.
GMC Blue Chip Series (1955-1959)
GMC offered the Blue Chip Series as a more modern post-war truck to compete in the growing pickup market. It featured a 3.7-liter straight-six producing 120 hp and a 4.1-liter variant with more power to haul heavier loads.
GMC paired the engines with a 3- and 4-speed manual transmission. The interior looked more refined and offered updated seating and dashboard controls. The Blue Chip squared off with rivals like Chevrolet’s Task Force and Ford’s F-Series for market share.
Chevrolet C/K Series (1960-1998)
The C/K is one of the most popular series in the classic pickup world and one of the longest-running truck lines in American automotive history. They are a wide range of full-size trucks with forward-tilting hoods that Chevrolet produced from 1960 until 1998.
There were regular, extended, and crew cab body styles, as well as shorter and longer bed lengths. Customers could get the 2-wheel-drive C/K or 4-wheel-drive models and choose among trim levels, from basic work-oriented models to more luxurious versions.
The design evolved over the years and through multiple generations. The series succeeded amid competitors like Dodge’s D-Series and Ford F-Series. The Chevrolet Silverado replaced it in 1998.
International Harvester Scout (1961-1980)
The International Harvester Scout is a prized classic among collectors, with numerous restomods commanding top dollar in the restoration markets. The Scout gets credit as a compact SUV pioneer, boasting a rugged design that made it the perfect utility and recreation vehicle.
The design is as boxy as the Ford Bronco, and customers could get it as a 2-door pickup or a 2-door SUV, with the option of a removable top.
It relied on straight-4 and straight-6 engines for propulsion, including a 2.5-liter straight-4 and a 3.2-liter Straight-six. It introduced V8 engines in its later years, including 4.4-liter and 5.0-liter V8s.
