The 1950s American pickup truck is a classic- easily recognized and highly collectible. A relic of a bygone era where things were humble and trucks were beautiful, yet utilitarian in design. Reminiscent of a time when there were far fewer restrictions on vehicle manufacturing and power for work was king, 1950s American pickups were arguably some of the best pickups ever made.
Most pickups of this decade focused strongly on providing a useful pickup for farming and other blue collar jobs. However, many still found their way to being stunning examples of craftsmanship in other ways. Of the many trucks that saw their glory days in the post-World War II time, there are some standouts as the best of the best due to their design, innovation, and devoted fans. The Ford F-1, Dodge Power Wagon, and Chevrolet Cameo all highlight the beauty of this era of pickup trucks.
Let’s take a closer look at why the Ford F-1, Dodge Power Wagon, and Chevrolet Cameo are some of the best American pickup trucks of the 1950s!
Comparing The Best 1950s Pickup Trucks
In 1950, the Ford F-1 (light duty truck) sold 230,000 models. This helped to set a record for number of truck sales and to a 41% increase over the prior year’s sales for Ford. The F-1 was designed with the customer’s wants and needs in mind and was marketed as a truck that would outlast competitors.
The new design included a roomier cab for comfort, wider doors, better ventilation and heating systems and a redesign of the instrument panel for easier reading. New coil spring bench seats were added, made adjustable, and were made to recline for ultimate versatility. Finally, Ford also changed the way that the cab connected to the frame, which reduced vibration.
Ford introduced the ninety-day warranty at this time on all trucks, which meant that if any part broke, the company would cover the cost of a replacement. Ford offered two engine options as well- a 226 cubic inch Flathead inline six or a 239-cid Flathead V8. It came standard with a three three-speed transmission. Overall, the customer service and fact that Ford upgraded the cab while retaining the abilities of the F-1 made this a collectible and one of the best American pickups of the 1950s.
In comparison, the Dodge Power Wagon of the 1950s was beloved for its off-road capabilities and unique ability to tackle rugged jobs. On some (between 40-100 units) a company called Willock designed a unique frame that swiveled at the coupling, allowing the cabin and bed of the truck to twist to keep the tires firmly planted, even on severely uneven terrain.
While clearly innovative and now a super collectible iteration, most of the Dodge Power Wagons of the '50s were not equipped with the Willock frame. Even without it, though, the Power Wagon came equipped for rugged terrain with four-wheel drive, a first for civilian use trucks.
Additionally, the chassis was built for precipitous terrain including mud, sand, rocks, or water. They were used for the toughest jobs and rarely got stuck. On the rare occasion that they did get stuck, they often came equipped with a power winch on the front end to facilitate their own rescue.
In 1950, the Power Wagon came with a Campbell Body, a 230 cubic inch L-head six engine, and a four-speed transmission. The large, 7.50”x6” eight-ply tires helped to create clearance for the pickup. Fans of the Power Wagon see it as a milestone in pickup innovation as the first four-wheel drive civilian use truck as well as a beast capable of handling the roughest jobs, making it one of the best pickups of the 1950s as well.
In a surprising decision, Chevrolet decided that America was ready for a pickup truck that focused more on luxury and beauty when they decided to offer the Cameo. The successes of the company around this time led to the decision, which was considered risky, but paid off.
The Cameo Carrier was created to look sharp and appeal to customers desiring a more luxurious interior feel as well. It was created with a separate, fiberglass bed with a chrome ring and step sides. The taillights were taken from the ‘54 Bel Air and the truck had small tailfins as well.
Only offered in a paint called “Bombay Ivory,” and with whitewall tires, contrasting B-pillar, fiberglass and chrome bumpers, and a smooth design concept, the Cameo sported a very classy exterior look. Inside, the class continued with carpeted floorboards, a bench seat, two-tone dashboard, and included radio (a unique feature at the time).
Under the hood, the Cameo had a 235 cubic inch straight six with a three three-speed transmission. It was also available with an upgrade that most buyers took to a 145-hp, 264 cubic inch V8 with a four speed HydraMatic automatic transmission.
As the first luxury “sport” pickup truck, the Chevrolet Cameo Carrier was another piece of history, and many collectors are excited to own one if they can. The luxurious interior, unique design, and capable engine make it one of the best pickups of the 1950s.
Pricing And Availability Today
Owning one of the bests from the 1950s American pickup truck lineup might be a dream for many aficionados. To own a Ford F-1 in 1950, the buyer would pay $1,287; that equates to $14,888 in 2022 dollars when adjusted for inflation. Today, there are a few F-1’s available for sale on classic car sale sites. They start at $9000 for a rusted body in bad condition and range up to over $115,000 for one in pristine restored condition, but the average cost is around $30,000 for this piece of history.
For a 1954 Dodge Power Wagon (with original frame) the base price was $2,307, that’s $26,688 adjusted for inflation. Today, you can find one fully restored for around $35,000. The Chevrolet Cameo, originally priced at $1835 ($21,228 adjusted for inflation) can now be found fully restored for around $65,000.
Whether you choose to buy one of these trucks that is need of restoration for a bit less or opt in for the most expensive option, the choice to own a Ford F-1, Dodge Power Wagon, or Chevrolet Cameo from the 1950s is a great one for any collector. After all, who wouldn't want to own one of the best American pickup trucks of the 1950s?