30.  1956-1960 Ford F100 (F-100)

Introduced in 1953, The Ford F-100 was instantly a favorite, but when they did the hood uplift in 1956, it ruled the roost. At the time, it wasn’t the engine of the F-100 that made the American public horde to it in droves–it was that rugged and handsome appearance of its nose coupled with a set-back front axle that made it instantly appealing. The Ford F-100 was just a half-ton, but that face made it sell out so much so that the Ford legacy became forever intertwined with the F-100.

29.  1963-1987 Jeep Gladiator And J-Series Trucks

The Willys Jeep was a fine vehicle indeed, but the fineness faded with its age and restrictive military use. It remains a classic till date. To replace it and the Forward control truck, Jeep brought in the Gladiator.

A modern full-sized pickup, it was contemporary enough to have stayed in production with only minor changes over 24 years.

The largest engine that Jeep ever put in these was the AMC 401 V8 that made the Gladiator as powerful as it was good-looking.

28. 1976-1977 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet

Not many of these were built–just less than 2,000. But as good as the Chevy Blazer was, the Blazer Chalet was even better. Why? ‘Cause it let you off-road and camp at the same time.

The Chalet had a Chinook-made pop-up camper body that sort of slid into the cargo hold of a 4WD Blazer and provided a snug motorhome for two.

As cozy as it was, it could also handle the toughest terrain you threw at it, so it was the perfect truck for adventurers at heart.

27. 1945-1949 Willys CJ-2A

Come on… when it comes to classic trucks, we have to mention the Willys, even if most of them are now “rusting” in peace in barns. The Willys is the blueprint on which all Jeeps are based, despite the 80-inch wheelbase and its really light load. It was a 4-wheel drive and possibly the only other true-blue American workhorse other than the Ford F-series that worked with just about any and every farm implement. This was also the car that kind of invented the open-top concept in a 4X4.

26. 1978-1979 Dodge Lil’ Red Express Truck

The Dodge Lil’ Red was way ahead of its times–so much so that on its entry in 1978, it had the fastest 0-to-100 mph of any and all vehicles of that year, more potent than even a Corvette. With that scarlet-red color and unbelievable 18-wheeler exhaust stacks, it was one of a kind then and basically still is. The 5.8-liter V8 engine churned out 225 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque, which made it one nippy and nifty drive.

25. 1971-1975 Ford Baja Bronco

The 66 Bronco in itself was a cool enough truck, but when legendary racer Bill Stroppe teamed up with Ford, he created the very desirable and often-coveted Baja Bronco. Now, this was a class of its own. Some 400-650 replica Baja Broncos were made with a 4.9-liter V8 engine plus room for larger rear tires. There were plenty other parts that Stroppe offered as customizations, including roll cages, lights, winch, and heavy-duty suspension. They’re still considered pretty hot and basically fueled the off-road rage that’s still on today.

24. 1978-1980 Ford Bronco

Till 1978, the Bronco was a small-platform truck, but then, it, too, changed guise and moved to an F-150 chassis. Now, you could choose a 7.5-liter V8 engine and basically make the Bronco buck like its namesake with so much power under the hood. We stop at 1980, though, because in 1981, the Bronco lost the Dana 44 front axle and replaced it with a Twin-Traction Beam that made it lose its till-now capable off-roading properties. So, the first three years, the new Bronco was a hit and still has quite a faithful following.

23. 1961-1975 International Harvester Travelall

So sure, the company is defunct. But the Travelall, as the name suggests, could seat a whopping nine people with all seats in place because it was one of the first trucks to carry four real and operable doors. The curvy classic came in a 4-wheel drive that used leaf-sprung suspensions (like the Harvester pickups) and a 2-wheel drive that rode lower on a torsion-bar front suspension. In fact, the Travelall brochures bragged that if you removed the rear seats, the truck could still house a 4×8 sq ft of plywood—meaning, it was big!

22. 1942-1959 Napco Chevy And GMC Trucks

Once upon a time, Dodge was way ahead in the truck game and had been offering 4WD since the forties. Chevy and GMC didn’t have this even in the ’50s, so they decided to take a sideways route.

They tied up with NAPCO (Northwest Auto Parts Company) that began to manufacture conversion kits for the GMC and Chevy trucks to turn them into four-wheel drives.

By 1957, the Napco Power-Pack 4WD kits were being instituted in the trucks on the assembly lines itself, and even today, these Napco trucks are coveted collectors’ items.

21. 1993-1995 Ford Lightning

While the Lighting isn’t old enough to be a vintage, it’s still a classic American truck by Ford that was very well received, enough for a 1999 second-generation revival. So made by Ford’s SVT (special vehicles team), it gave a lot more power with the same 5.8-liter V8 engine because of tuning. 240 horsepower and 340 lb-ft torque, a lowered suspension on 17-inch tires and heavy duty shockers, springs, and anti-roll bars made it an American darling. And it still is a much-coveted vehicle, no matter the years on it.

20. 1946-1968 Dodge Power Wagon

The Dodge Power Wagon was introduced in 1946 and was basically built upon the WC-Series Dodge three-quarter-ton trucks used in WWII. In 1946, this was America’s very first 4WD truck, though, despite the “powerful” name, it only had a 94-horsepower-producing 3.7-liter engine. But it still got the job done because of a strong transmission and an ultra-low axle gearing. With a high ground clearance, it could pull heavy loads as well. And the only thing that could kill it was rust.

19. 1967-1977 Ford F-250 “Highboy”

Go for this one if you want the toughest-looking truck in the history of American trucking. The “highboy” came with a sky-high feel because you could actually bolt 35-inch tires on them without having to do anything to the suspension, which is pretty neat. The drivetrain was pretty rugged as well, but after 1977, these trucks were lowered with a new frame and suspension. From mid-1977, the Ford 250 became the Lowboy, all because of a difference of some two inches.

18. 1967-72 Chevrolet Cheyenne

The Chevy Cheyenne aka the Action Line pickups are still considered great-looking trucks, though they were made only for five years. The 71-72 Cheyenne introduced more sedan-like features with the same strength of a Chevy truck. They were the most popular and still are. Front disc brakes, a radio, a rather luxurious interior and a carpeted and insulated cab made this pickup look like luxury in front of the other spartan trucks. You’d be lucky to come across any Action Line truck, but if you get a ’71 or ’72 Cheyenne, it’s like coming across a four-leaf clover!

17. 1981-85 Jeep Scrambler

The CJ offerings from Jeep, especially the CJ-5 and the CJ-7, were instant hits with off-roaders. And then, there was the CJ-8 or simply, the Jeep Scrambler.

It was built upon the CJ-7 only, with a longer wheelbase to fit in a pickup bed to widen the Jeep inventory.

For some reason, at the time, it never really became all that popular. Only 30,000 Scramblers were built, and this rarity and scarcity have now made it a rather rare and dear find.

16. 1947 Chevrolet 3100

To brighten up the devastation of the First World War and also to create more opportunities at work, Chevrolet introduced a completely new line of Advanced-Design commercial trucks in 1947. The 1947 Chevrolet 3100 had style and gumption–and it’s as classic a truck as ever. A pre-1950 six-cylinder engine gave it power and trustworthiness as well, especially for those not terribly impressed with Ford or Dodge. It’s an American relic for sure and as classic a truck as any can get.

15. 1991 GMC Syclone

Why are we putting a ’91 truck on a classic-truck list? No, we haven’t gone bonkers–it’s because GMC never managed to make vehicles that lasted terribly long. So, a ’91 GMC Syclone is as much a classic as any other older truck.

The Syclone came into existence when some GMC whiz put in a 280-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine into the body of the S-15 Sonoma.

So, in ’91, this was a truck that could equal the road race even against a Ferrari. Reason enough to call it a classic, isn’t it?

14. 2007 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Supercharged

Yes, we put a 2007 truck on this list. Why? Because it’s a Ford married to a Harley Davidson, in the best way possible. The 2007 Harley Davidson has all that the previous collaborations had–the chrome accents, alloy wheels, and the Harley Davidson branding. But it also has a surprise under the hood: an optional supercharger kit for the 5.4-liter V8 engine that could generate a whopping 450 horsepower–and this was more than ten years ago. Oh, and did we mention the 500 lb-ft of torque? This monster could chew up the road and spit it right back…

13. 1973 Dodge D100 Club Cab

There was obviously something very appealing about the “100” tag, which is why brands other than Ford have also been using it. The Dodge D100 was introduced in the 1970s, and in ’73, it morphed into a work truck with an independent front suspension and pocketed taillights. So, it didn’t just look good then; it also looks good now, especially if you rescue and restore it with some love. One innovation about this one is it had storage space in the cabin, too, over and above the pickup bed.

12. 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota

While today, Ford leads the pack in trucks with its F-series hit, back in the day, Dodge wasn’t all that backward either. In fact, with a lot of the American public moving towards cars because of a nifty mobility instead of trucks, the Shelby Dakota upped the game with a powerful engine. Wih the help of Carroll Shelby (with Chrysler at the time), they put in a 5.2-liter V-8 engine that churned out 175 horsepower–big enough by 1989 standards. And the truck didn’t look half bad either.

11. 1971-1980 International Scout II

Despite the Fords, Chevys, and the Dodges out there, the ’60s and ’70s were also ruled by the International Harvester Scout in the 4WD arena. While the Scout 80 and the 800s are coveted classics, it’s the brawny Scout II that many collectors lust after. It proved to be a perfect off-roader with its super-strong Dana 44 front axle and its 4.9-liter or 5.6-liter V8 engines. You could also opt for a longer wheelbase on this for a roomier SUV or a pickup version.

10. 1955-1958 Chevrolet Cameo

Honestly, this is the most beautiful pickup truck, according to many a classic fan. It shied away from the barebones workhorse truck it used to be and turned into a comfortable, stylish, and speedy pickup that was at home in a farm as it was parked beside the trendiest club. It was pricey, though, and with many more options being offered to the American buyer at cheaper costs, it died a quick death. By today’s standards, it’s a rare and pricey collectible, too.

9. 1935-1999 Chevrolet Suburban

Since the Chevrolet Suburban is the oldest continuous-use automobile name in the world, we saw it fit to mention it from its very start till 1999, after which you can’t really call it a classic. While it was first called the “Suburban Carryall,” in 1935, it was America’s very first SUV.

The 4WD came into effect way later in 1957, and four real doors came in some 16 years later in 1974.

From 1973 to 1991, the square-fender Suburban ruled the roads till finally, the design was changed again. Any year that’s available, you take the Chevrolet Suburban. It’s part and parcel of American history.

8. 1994-2001 Dodge Ram

Despite a great start, in the ’80s and the ’90s, the Dodge Ram trucks were struggling to make a mark, especially with Ford and Chevy doing wonders with their trucks. The Dodge designs were duds, though the Cummins diesel engines helped because of sheer strength. In 1994, the Dodge Ram trucks underwent a makeover and finally started to look as good as they ran. From then on till 2001, the Dodge Ram was the truck to own. And in case you need a good-looking classic truck, look for this all-American stud.

7. 1974-1977 Mazda Rotary Pickup (REPU)

Before you point out that Mazda isn’t an American company, let us point out that this Wankel rotary-engine pickup truck was solely made for the American and Canadian markets. So, the Mazda B-Series is almost an American classic truck in bearing, even if the brand was Japanese. Almost. The 1.3-liter engine still managed to generate 100 horsepower and redlined at 7,000 rpm. The base versions retailed at $4,000. Less than 15,000 were ever made, and despite a weak engine, they retail pretty expensively.

6. 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee (XJ)

GM brought in the Blazer, and Ford came in with the Bronco, but the real daddy of compact SUVs and crossovers was the Jeep Cherokee XJ, first introduced in 1984. The Cherokee XJ was different because it didn’t use conventional body-on-frame construction. They were unibody, meaning the body of the car, as well as the frame, were morphed into one unit, much like it is on sedans. Another reason for their popularity was because they came in two-door and four-door options, way earlier than Chevy and Ford.

5. 1999-2007 Ford Super Duty

The Ford Super Duty (basically the 650 and the 750) trucks changed the whole game of the commercial, heavy-duty truck market. It was one rad, bad pickup that could do just about anything, much more than the upgraded version of light-duty trucks everybody seemed to be using. The engine was a massive 6.8-liter V10 engine that was gasoline powered, and for diesel, it was a 7.3-liter turbodiesel that churned out a massive 500 lb-ft torque. Thoughtfully enough, they put in manually telescoping side mirrors for the drivers to be able to see their tow well.

4. 1939-1947 Hudson Big Boy C28

Auto companies Nash and Hudson merged to form AMC, but the struggle with the big three continued for them. Then, they became smart, took their Commodore sedan, and turned it into a pickup truck. And they got it designed by America’s first female car designer, Betty Thatcher Oros. Production started in 1939 but halted between ’42 and ’45, because of the war, till it finally stopped in 1947. The Hudson trucks were called the “Big Boys,” powered by 102-horsepower-generating 3.5-liter V6 engines, and if you get one, count yourself lucky to have bought a beautiful and rare vintage truck.

3. 1991 Ford SkyRanger

Haven’t heard of this one? Don’t be alarmed because just less than 20 of these were produced. The SkyRanger was only a special edition of the Ford Ranger but had an extended cab, a 4-liter Cologne V6 engine, and of course, an all-wheel drive.

The American Sunroof Company turned it into the SkyRanger by adding the targa removable top and was all set to sell plenty.

But Ford stepped in and scrapped it all. A rare find indeed and bound to be very, very expensive.

2. 1978 Dodge Midnite Express

Much like its rare red sister, the Midnite Express was even rarer. It was basically the Dodge Warlock with the same Lil’ Red Express theme only in black and the same twin 18-wheeler exhausts that Lil’ Red sported. Though we’ve broken it down for you, the original was still a very, very cool truck, considering it came equipped with the 7.2-liter V8 engine. Only 270 original trucks ever existed, so getting them might be a tough order, if not an impossible one.

1. 1992-2006 AM General Hummer H1

So, we cannot talk about trucks and not mention the Hummer. The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), or as most of the US army calls it, the “Humvee,” was the next best thing to sliced bread when it arrived in 1985. 16 inches of ground clearance and a very well-protected drivetrain on a four-wheel drive meant it could tackle any terrain (especially deserts) at high speeds. So, why keep a good thing to just the army? In 1992, the Humvee was redesigned for civilian use and classified as the H1.