Some trucks always come to mind first when you think of the trucks from the past. Some of them were amazing workhorses that had the power to do any job asked of them while also being stylish enough to turn heads while driving down the road. On the other hand, there were ones that turned heads because they looked funky. Not the good kind of funky, either.
The list below is ordered by year, not by ranking. Aside from their gorgeous designs, some classic American pickups stood out for their dependability and competence, serving their owners for decades. On the other hand, some pickups cause nothing but headaches and could never be counted on.
Trucks throughout the years have awed some people and disgusted others. Every person has their favorite brands, and styles, and power levels. In this list, we've included a little bit of both. Here are 5 American pickups worth every penny used, and five we'd rather just stay away from.
10 Good: 1966 Chevrolet C-10 Stepside
The 1966 Chevrolet C-10 Stepside was the first truck that Chevy offered a 327 eight-cylinder in, along with the turbo hydramatic transmission. This motor put out an impressive 250 horsepower, impressive for back then anyway. Other engine options were available, including the previous year’s V6 motors.
There were few amenities in the cab, only offering a two-speed windshield wipers knob, backup lights, and a turn knob AM radio. The Stepside was unique to the truck series, allowing a person the ability to step up and reach into the back of the truck. It was built to work but was comfortable enough to be a daily driver.
This truck is worth a fortune to collectors. It is a popular showpiece in car shows across the nation. A few are still used as daily drivers, but most have been converted over for shows, or special occasions.
9 Good:1978 Dodge Lil Red Express
The Dodge Lil Red (Express) has been dubbed as the last of the old school muscle cars. The souped-up motor could run the drag strip with the big boys, averaging 14.7 seconds in the quarter-mile. It was a modified police engine with stock high-performance parts and a four-barrel carburetor. The beast within was a 360 that put out 225 horses. Due to a loophole in the new emissions rules, a catalytic converter did not have to be installed, helping the motor push the exhaust straight out without interruption.
The truck was built for action, and for turning heads as it drove by. Not just the wood bed and the bright red paint with decals, but the huge stacks that rumbled in tune with the motor.
These trucks had limited production numbers and continually sold out as they came off the production lines. Today they are hard to come by. When they are found for sale, collectors snatch them up quickly.
8 Good: 1991 GMC Syclone
The 1991 GMC Syclone is a truck that is not a truck. The motor is only a 4.3-liter six-cylinder, but with the turbocharger added on it can get 280 horsepower. This sleeper could go 0 to 60 in a mere 4.3 seconds and could run the quarter-mile track in 13.4 seconds. Car and Driver performed a race against a Ferrari 348ts, and the Syclone won in the quarter-mile drag.
This truck looks like a truck, but it was equipped with a car-like suspension to give it the slammed look. The ride itself is a little bouncy, but not like a traditional truck. The drivetrain was designed to work impeccably with the motor. The all-wheel-drive system automatically placed 65% of the power to the back wheels, and 35% to the front. This prevents the tires from breaking traction when the gas is stomped on.
All the trucks that were produced were shipped out of the country, with the ones that did not sell being sent back to the manufacturer. When found these trucks need to be gobbled up, no matter the cost.
7 Good: 1993 Chevrolet 454 SS
Nothing compares to the rumble of a big block. When you drop a 454 SS into a truck and beef up the suspension and drivetrain, you get a monster hidden inside a basic-looking truck. The motor only put out 230 horsepower, but for the nineties that was enough to keep up with sports cars such as the Iroc-Z. It could go 0 to 60 in 7.7 seconds and could run the quarter-mile in under 16 seconds.
Unfortunately, this truck did not get the recognition that some of the others did. Maybe because of the massive motor in it, or that the Syclone and Lightening were advertised better. The 1993 Chevrolet 454 SS was a truck for the times and big block lovers held onto them like they were going extinct. If you find one, steal it up and put it to the test.
6 Good: 1999 Ford F150 Lightning
BMWs and Camaros beware. This wicked-looking truck has a motor that can easily allow it to stay door to door with most vehicles. The motor is a 5.4-liter with very few modifications. It puts out 360 horses and can go from 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds. The quarter-mile gets eaten up in 14.1 seconds at a speed of 96.5. Motor Trend states that this truck can take a Z28 or Trans Am if the driver does not burn the tires off at takeoff.
It was not slammed like most street trucks, so it gives a comfortable ride for those that want to use it as a daily driver. The interior was molded after some common sports cars, with leather bucket seats and white dash instruments. The seats suck you in as you accelerate through the four automatic gears, and the suspension sucks the truck down into a fighting stance when preparing to launch.
The manufacturers limited the production of these beasts to 4000 per year, and it was only in production for 5 years. This is another truck that needs to be held on to or bought up if the opportunity ever arises.
5 Bad: 1959 Chevrolet El Camino
A small 235 V6 was installed on this vehicle with the option of going with a bigger V8. The six-cylinder put out a small 110 horsepower, but it was designed by combining a half-ton truck and a passenger car, so it was not expected to have a surplus of power. The large fins on the back also take away the room that would normally be used to haul bulky items. It was designed more for a daily driver, and not as a workhorse.
The argument will never end on this one. Is the 1959 Chevrolet El Camino, or any year, actually a truck? In this case, the author feels that it was designed more for looks than for work. This crossbreed may be worth fixing up for a car show if one is already parked in the backyard. It is definitely not one to search out and find.
4 Bad: 1964 Ford Thames Trader
The Thames Trader came with the option of two different motors, depending upon its payload rating. Both diesel engines, the 4d Mark-2, and the 6d Mark-2 put out a small amount of horsepower but had some good torque for hauling and towing. The motor was set under the hood at a 45-degree angle to allow the driver plenty of room in the cab.
The 1964 Ford Thames Trader was the last year that this monster was built and put an end to the negative profits that it brought to the company. Consumers only liked this truck for one reason; it could haul almost anything. Even with that, though, the Trader had little power because of the weight of the truck itself. People that did buy it found that they had to have it serviced shortly after they drove it off the lot. Overall, this is a truck that Ford would like to erase from its history.
3 Bad: 1972 Ford Courier
The motor itself was a 1.8L that delivered 74 horses from the engine to the drivetrain. It came with a four-speed transmission so the driver could get the little toy up to speed. The weight that it could carry would be equal to 7 grown adults. 1,400 pounds was its payload rating, but it would be hard-pressed to carry even that much weight.
When sitting in front of a 1972 Ford Courier it would be easy to mistake it for a Mazda of the same year. It is true that they were similar in size and shape because Ford bought some stakes in Mazda and imported the Minnie truck to the United States. It was effectively the first small truck offered in the states, but with its miniature size and low horsepower motor, it was designed more for a daily driver than a working truck.
2 Bad: 1982 Dodge Rampage
The 1982 Dodge Rampage was a car turned into a truck. It came as a front-wheel-drive rig that had a few inches stretched out of the chassis to make the bed bigger. The 2.2-liter engine barely put out 96 horsepower, and the suspension was built for comfort, not for work. Yes, it would haul up to half a ton and maintain around thirty miles per gallon, but it simply is not designed to work like a true truck.
The vehicle itself had a sporty, visually appealing look in an attempt to compete with the much more popular Subaru BRAT. It was not well advertised so the public did not respond to the Rampage in a positive light. If uniqueness is a quality that a driver wants, then this would be a good fit. Otherwise, invest money in a more deserving ride.
1 Bad: 1999 Chevy Silverado
The 1999 Chevrolet Silverado was a new year and an entirely modern design. That new model flopped. The motor was so underpowered that it could barely haul itself, let alone any type of heavy load. The stock V6 gave the driver 200 horsepower, and with the 5-speed manual transmission, the truck was very dependable. Unfortunately, unless the truck was upgraded to one of its big sister's V8 motors, the truck simply could not be used for work, or play.
During this year the Chevy makers decided to revamp the Silverado, and as with any other brand-new design it came with issues. It had the makings to be a solid truck that could be used for anything, but this year was the first attempt at revamping. Follow the lead of loyal Chevrolet owners and avoid this year of truck.