Most trucks try to keep things simple in every way possible. This means they try to implicate themselves as workhorses that can do without many luxuries. Most importantly, they stick to the job and try to get things done. If you are in the market seeking to buy a new truck, all you need is likely a hardworking machine. It’s considerably different when you go looking for a sports car or a muscle car.
But the modern car owner is also conscious of both aesthetics and technology on their trucks. Automakers have also raised their game and the modern truck is way above a bland, mundane machine. They try to incorporate aesthetics and work ethics in trucks to make them all-around performers, giving them hefty engines, attractive looks, and the ultimate urbanite look.
It has been a journey of testing the truck market and aligning it to the needs of the day, over the past years. We’ve seen trucks that couldn’t simply pass without notice. They did considerably well in their time, and the impact still reverberates through the industry today.
We also have to appreciate the fact that a truck is not complete without some ruggedness. It’s an important distinguishing factor and affirms the ability of a truck to be useful in the countryside and an urban setting. Towing capacity, bed size, weight, and overall size are just some of the elements that influence buyers in choosing a truck.
In this list, we haul you through a list of some discontinued trucks that we would love to see reincarnated.
10 1993-2004 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
You cannot effectively write the story of performance trucks without mentioning the Ford-F-150 SVT Lighting. It was a truck created to make a difference in this market, and it never disappointed.
The Lightning was the creation of Ford’s Special Vehicle Team, hence the SVT moniker. It was everything that a youthful, energetic driver would want for in a truck. It was also the enthusiastic truck that any uncle would be found to drive. Production ceased in 2004 after two generations as a result of dwindling sales. Ford is planning to bring back the SVT Lighting as an EV truck in 2022, and we can’t wait to see what it eventually brings home.
9 2001-2003 Lincoln Blackwood
Although the Lincoln Blackwood was a commercial failure, it was a truck way ahead of its time. A luxury truck of this kind was not very common in this season, and it would possibly have done better if it stayed a little longer than just one production year.
Lincoln decided to tease with a luxury truck in 2002. It was meant to impress with good looks and a capable engine at the expense of working hard at hauling services. The cargo bed or trunk, as the company liked, had LED bed lighting strips and a powered tonneau cover. The barn door tailgate was an interesting feature by itself, but the carpeted cargo bed was bound to raise more interest. Lincoln packed a Ford 5.4-liter V8 with 300 horsepower and 355 pound-feet of torque into this marvel. It’s certainly a machine we would love to see back on the road.
8 1985-1992 Jeep Comanche
The Jeep Comanche lived a short life but is still counted among small trucks with the most reliable engines whether you are comparing it to modern trucks or trucks from its era.
Interestingly, even within this short time of existence, the Jeep Comanche set a few national and international records, including the FIA International Category A. The Comanche was offered in a choice of about four engines across various years, the most potent being a 4.0-liter six-cylinder producing 13 hp and 220 pounds of torque.
7 2002-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche
What has made modern trucks more popular is a combination of truck capabilities within passenger-oriented cars. The ability to simultaneously haul commodities across the countryside and cruise around town in the same truck is now a highly appreciated idea.
The Chevrolet Avalanche saw incremental advancements every year, and by the time it was exiting in 2013, it had left a memorable mark that would still find favor in the modern market. The standard engine is a 5.3-liter V-8 engine that moves 320 horsepower. Five to six people will comfortably sit in the Avalanche. It was a fully equipped truck loaded with lots of admirable features. Keyless entry, six speakers, powered driver’s seat, and other advances were all part of the package
6 Dodge RAM SRT-10
We don’t know exactly where the idea of taking a V10 Viper engine and load it in a truck came from but Dodge tried it anyway. They eventually called it the Dodge Ram SRT-10, which came very close to the incredible Ford F-150 Raptor.
The 8.3-liter V10 engine breathed 500 hp, suitably marking it as a performance truck and perhaps a good time way to brand it a muscle truck. The truck was built on the platform of the Ram 1500 and came as a 4-speed automatic for the quad cab sitting six people or a 6-speed Hurst manual in the single cab. Dodge thought this idea so lively that they offered a special limited-edition dubbed the Viper Club of America SRT-10
5 Lamborghini LM002
It’s unusual to hear of a Lamborghini truck and their attempt at one with Lamborghini LM002 deservingly caught the attention of the automotive world. The original version came out in 1986 as a 4-door pickup with a 4WD layout. What was more captivating though, was the rugged look and the desire to do the extraordinary.
This truck was built from a military work point of view and the exterior says as much. The development emerged from a previous truck by Lamborghini named the Cheetah that never saw the light of day due to copyright issues. Although the LM002 shied off the market, it could still be the ideal truck for lovers of one-off goodies
4 Chevrolet 454 SS
In the 1990S, the 7.4-liter big-block V8 that Chevrolet stuffed in the 454 SS was more of an old-school engine. By this time, features such as turbocharge were more commonplace and gave performance trucks an edge. But this engine big-block engine still managed 230 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It also helped this Chevy truck to rise from 0 to 60 mph in 7.7 secs and hit the quarter-mile in 15.9 secs.
This Chevy truck became an incubator of performance trucks in its time, spawning a generation of performance trucks that became widely popular in subsequent years. The idea of issuing an all-black model in 1990 became a distinguishing feature while the ’91-’93 models were given dual exhaust.
3 Chevrolet El Camino
The El Camino was not only a unique truck but also one of the rarest cars that General Motors produced. The exterior styling was proficiently outstanding and made every effort to be and behave like both a car and a truck. This double-standing saw it spark controversy and rise in popularity.
The first generation ran from 1959-’60, meant to compete with the Ford Ranchero. A few more generations were to come, with the last one running from 1978 to 1987. Notably, there was something different in virtually every generation. The third generation (1968-1972) made a mark for its sporty styling, as seen in the SuperSport (396). Ultimately, when all is said and done, the El Camino stands out as a truck that would be fancy to ride in the modern era.
2 1965-2009 Mazda B-Series
Here comes a truck from Mazda that dared to be different and chat its own path. It’s sad how the world quickly forgets, although the automotive industry makes a great effort to be different.
The most prudent factor for which the Mazda B-series trucks became so popular was utilitarian design affordability as well as fuel efficiency. It’s quite evident that Mazda attached greater value to the truck's form, and the results were surprisingly outstanding. Unfortunately, the Mazda B-Series had to eventually step out of the market in 2009. Financial troubles had led to Mazda’s assimilation into Ford and this played a significant role in the B-Truck’s demise and an overwhelming resemblance with Ford trucks.
1 1982-1984 Dodge Rampage
Dodge hoped to hunt into the Chevrolet El Camino’s market with the Dodge Rampage. It had been a season when the car-based trucks had gained traction and the sporty-looking car from Chrysler expected to find some love in the market.
It was offered as a front-wheel only and built on the company’s long-running L-body platform. The Charger, the Horizon, and a few other cars carried this body makeup too. The Rampage took up a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with manual or automatic transmission available. Like many other tracks on this list, the Dodge Rampage truck was forced off the market by poor sales.