Trucks were built to be a blue-collar worker's everyday go-to vehicle. They are versatile and adaptable. While modern trucks are fitted with the latest tech gizmos to boost their performance and improve the occupants' experience, some truck manufacturers are yet to meet the performance and reliability bar.
But go back a few years back, and classic trucks were built to last a lifetime. This meant that manufacturers had to use hardy materials to build the trucks. While these materials aren’t light, they for sure lasted for a long time if the trucks were given the care they need.
Pickup trucks can withstand most of the abuse thrown at them without breaking a sweat. This has seen them being sold for cheap so that replacing them is not a hurdle for the owners. However, some trucks are just not replaceable and their owners make sure that they receive the best care money can buy.
10 1956 Ford F-100 Custom Shelby Pickup - $450,000
Most Shelby vehicles are known for their performance and for their role in defining part of Ford’s high-performance legacy. This 1956 Ford F-100 Shelby truck is the most expensive truck ever sold. It was sold at an auction in 2014, for $450,000. The proceeds from this sale went to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.
This truck is powered by a 5.4-liter V8 engine. This custom truck is said to have borrowed most of its features and fixtures from a collection of Shelby cars including the suspension and brakes.
9 1922 Oldsmobile Custom-Built Truck - "Jalopy" - $275,000
The Jalopy truck was featured in the Hollywood TV Series, The Beverly Hillbillies. This one-off custom truck was built for the show. It also featured in a movie that was centered on the show back in 1993.
The Jalopy was built on the base of the 1922 Oldsmobile and the chassis of a vintage truck. This truck was built to attract attention. And after the show, it was used in marches, parades, drives, and runs. It has been featured occasionally in shows such as Worlds of Wheels and Autorama. In 2015, the Jalopy was sold for $275,000.
8 1956 Ford F-100 Custom Pickup - $242,000
In 1956, Ford closed the books on the second-generation F-100. The F-100 truck marked Ford’s 50th anniversary. As a result, this truck ended up being one of the most coveted collectors trucks.
This custom resto-modded truck features a lowered suspension and stylish and smooth lines. The custom restorers upgraded the truck, fitting it with upgraded features that offer extra comfort. These features included a modified air-ride suspension, disc brakes, power seats, and an air conditioning system. This custom Ford F-100 is powered by a 5.0-liter engine that is paired with twin Pro-charger P-ISC that delivers an extra 14-lb of boost.
7 1955 Ford F-100 Custom Pickup - "Night Train" - $220,000
Ford trucks have played an integral role in the evolution of pickup trucks. The Ford F-Series trucks are the most popular in America, they are also considered the most reliable. The 1955 Ford F-100 Custom Pickup aka the “Night Train”, offers a perfect cross of classic American and modern high-performance. This beautiful truck is fitted with a 427 cubic-inch V8 engine that pushes 550 brake horsepower to the drivetrain.
This custom truck also features four-wheel disc brakes, 20-inch chrome wheels, and amazing coil-over shocks. A factory-fitted air conditioning unit and stereo system were also fitted to the truck. In 2014, the Night Train sold for $220,000.
6 1957 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Truck - "Quiksilver" - $214,500
This 1957 Chevrolet 3100 custom truck is considered one of the best custom-built trucks. It took five years for this custom build to be completed. This is the pristine works of Hot Rod Garage in Oklahoma. The Quiksilver features smooth body lines, a lowered suspension, and tons of chrome - including the driveshaft. Hot Rod Garage customized every single piece of the truck’s panel, reshaping and smoothening it out to give it a more modernized look and feel.
The Quiksilver's console was designed and constructed by Chuck Rowland. He also worked on the truck’s headliner, door panels, and beach seat. The interior of this truck is covered in suede and perforated Mercedes leather. Under the hood is a 540-cubic-inch engine that delivers 650 brake horsepower to the truck’s drivetrain. In 2016, the Quiksilver sold for $214,500.
5 1950 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup - $205,700
This beauty is the second most expensive Chevrolet truck of all time. This 1950 Chevrolet 3100 custom pickup truck was sold at an auction for $205,700, a few months after it was unveiled at a motor show.
It is now believed to be in Arizona – the state of expensive Chevy trucks. This custom Chevy 3100 is powered by a Hot Cam L33 Crate engine that is paired with an automatic transmission to deliver 500 brake horsepower to the truck’s drivetrain. This custom truck features an independent front suspension, custom chassis, a redesigned headliner, custom bench seats, a new console, and new doors.
4 1957 Chevrolet Cameo Pickup - $159,500
This custom 1957 Chevrolet Cameo pickup truck is powered by a big-block V8 engine. It is heavily modded to push 500 brake horsepower to the wheels via an electric overdrive transmission. This truck was built based on factory specifications. It features a brand new four-speed transmission that is mounted to the floor, an oil bath air filter, and a heavy-duty radiator.
Other interesting features in this ride include a custom door handle guard, leather driver/passenger armrest, and bumper guards. All these were incorporated to provide comfort and luxury to the owner. This ride was sold for $159,500.
3 1957 Chevrolet C-6 Custom Truck - $148,500
After winning the 2009 GM Design award and the 2010 Mother’s choice awards at SEMA, this 1957 Chevrolet C-6 custom truck was put up for sale.
This custom C-6 was displayed at an auction in Las Vegas in 2011. This black beauty features a 402CID LS3 motor and a Corvette C6 suspension, which has Air Ride installed. While this truck was built to perform, the 7,000 hours of work that went into handcrafting the features in and on this truck is best left on display. In 2011, this truck sold for $148,500.
2 1955 Chevrolet Cameo Custom Pickup - 148,500
This 1955 Chevrolet Cameo custom pickup truck is no stranger to being in the spotlight. This red and titanium gray beauty was sold twice in a span of less than two years. The first owner bought it at a whopping $143,000 before putting up for sale at an $11,000 discount.
Even with the discount, this 1955 Chevrolet Cameo custom truck is one of the most expensive trucks of all time. This truck was fitted with a new Kenwood stereo, Dakota Digital VHX gauges, and Billet wheels wrapped in graphite.
1 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup - $132,000
This truck is one of the most ostentatious and opulent custom builds of all time. This custom Kandy Orange Chevy truck took Climtext Rods in Jarrell, Texas, six years to build and restore.
Its wide, low, mean custom body is a perfect representation of vigorous vintage. This 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Custom pickup graced the covers of six magazines in the United States before its sale in 2006. This truck has earned a couple of accolades, including, Boyd’s Pro Pick and 2002-2003 Goodguys Truck of the Year.