One could easily argue that a pickup truck is the most recognizable American vehicle as it has been around for more than 100 years. Dating way back from 1902, the first pickup truck was built to fulfill the daily needs of farmers and tradespeople. Things have changed over the years, of course, with modern times bringing forward other goods-transportation vehicles. However, the love for pickup trucks remains strong in 2021, which is why these vehicles never stopped being produced.

Today, pickup trucks come with more power and performance than most people need. Was it always like this? No, the first models were equipped only with the features necessary to get the job done.

You can see it from traditional commercials that spoke only to the particular target audience. If you want to learn more about the history of pickup trucks, stay with us and check out some awesome ads from the '60s.

RELATED: 10 Greatest Compact Pickup Trucks Ever Made

Take A Walk Down Memory Lane

Ford Motor Delivery Car On The Street in '20s.
Ford Delivery Car via: Picryl

The first pickup trucks were quite similar to the models we know today, although much more straightforward. There was a truck cab and an open back or bed designed for loading objects of all kinds. That's how the vehicle got its name in the first place, as a pickup truck was intended for hauling and transporting heavy loads.

One of the earlier models was the pickup truck from 1896, designed by Gottlieb Daimler and packed with a two-cylinder engine, 4 hp, and a 1.1 l tank. It could carry up to 3,300 lbs, which was very impressive at the time.

The other models over the years were not that successful until the Ford Model T Pickup came into the scene. We could easily say this mass-produced pickup started a new era in the automotive industry. Crysler quickly followed the trend with the Dodge pickup truck in 1929. Chevrolet, Toyota, GMC, International, Jeep, and Studebaker were not far behind.

In the 1960s, one could browse through a large collection of pickup trucks and not know which model to choose. Better yet, brands were competing with unique commercials specially tailored to drivers' needs. We listed the most awesome ones below!

Stunning Pickup Truck Ads From The '60s

International Harvester

1960 International Pickup Truck Ad
Via: Classic Car Catalgoue

"The tougher the job, the better you'll like 'em!" This was a striking line in the commercial from the International Harvester Company (IHC) when introducing its pickup truck line. More specifically, IHC dominated the market with the C-Series, vehicles of various sizes and capacities, including 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton models. Considering this fact, the ad was spot on!

Studebaker

An ad for Studebaker Champ Pickup Truck from 1960.
Via: Pinterest

This carefully designed ad with eye-catching red details was published for the Studebaker Champ, a light-duty pickup truck produced between 1960 and 1964. After ten tears of declining sales and almost no updates, Studebaker launched the shiny Champ to help with heavy loads. However, drivers in 1960 were amazed by a sliding rear window, which was not seen on any other pickup truck before.

Jeep

Jeep Gladiator Pickup Truck Ad From '60s.
Via: Pinterest

The ad above was true to its promises – Jeep Gladiator stood for power and reliability. This model was produced in numerous variants from 1962 to 1988, but the first model offered a 4-wheel drive paired with an automatic transmission. It was quite a unique model on the market and remains a favorite choice of many drivers today.

Chevrolet

1969 Chevrolet Pickup Trucks Ad
Via: Classic Cars Catalogue

The grand era of pickup trucks couldn't go without Chevrolet, which introduced the C10 series to compete on the market. Whether for unique ads or not, the '60s were amazingly successful for Chevrolet, and many vehicles were sold. Even today, Chevy pickup trucks stand for style, comfort, and convenience.

Ford

An Ad For 1965 Ford Pickups
Via: Pinterest

Ford also had some attention-drawing ads in 1960. This particular one was for the model from 1965, known as the F-Series. It came like a commercial pickup truck complimented with a sleek design and impressive power. If you take a closer look at the ad, you'll notice Ford made quite an effort to match the bedsides with the hood line and the window sill.

GMC

An Ad For 1963 GMC Pickup Truck
Via: Pinterest

This is another ad that shows the impressive power of pickup trucks in 1690. General Motors was not losing time and entered the market with a large vehicle ready for all loads and roads. Thanks to the sharp angles and a boxy cab, a GMC pickup truck offered a different style compared to the competition.

What Happened To These Classics?

Some of these intriguing models are still available today. Depending on the age and previous maintenance, not all of them may be drivable, but you can certainly find a perfectly preserved jewel somewhere out there. If the 1960 ads sparked interest and made you wish for a good old pickup, there are a few options for you.

For instance, tracking down one of the vehicles from International Harvester could prove more difficult, as they quickly stopped producing the C-Series and ceased to exist in 1980. The well-preserved models from the 1960s also come with a high price tag on auctions. You could most definitely have better luck in catching the 1969 Chevrolet or Jeep Gladiator on sale.