We are frequently asked what are the most popular early model trucks? Popular in what way - quantity, quality, style, or character? Over the years, early model truck enthusiasts have created their own playing field with a variety of different trucks from the past decades. Ever since 1925, when Henry Ford introduced the first factory-built pickup, the Model T, this lightweight workhorse has become a common means of transportation for both passengers and cargo.
As the early model pickups derived from Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, and Dodge, others, such as International, Studebaker, Hudson, Reo, Diamond-T, Willys-Overland, and Buddy Stewart have disappeared into the sunset. This left Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, and Dodge as the domestic truck builders. We saw pickups evolve into panels and carry-alls, the early day sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
These utility vehicles of our past have been revived to their stock identity and custom rumble. Throughout the years, certain models became more predominant than others, such as the '40-'41 Ford, '48-'52 Ford F-1, '53-'56 Ford F-100, and the '48-'54 and '55-'59 Chevrolets. Ford introduced the Ranchero In late 1957, which was constructed on a Ranch Wagon platform. A couple of years later, in 1959, Chevrolet countered with its introduction of the El Camino. It was built on a Brookwood station wagon platform. Again in 1960 to 1966, Ford threw a wrench in the pickup herd by launching the Falcon Ranchero, a small-size pickup built on a Falcon passenger car platform. Chevrolet had no counter for the small Falcon Ranchero.
Following the European invasion of the Volkswagen van and pickup models in 1961, Chevrolet introduced the cab-forward Sideloader Rampside pickups, and in 1961, the control-forward Greenbrier passenger van. The Corvairs enjoyed a relative short lifespan and came to a screeching end when Ralph Nader killed the Corvair program in 1969. Also in 1961, Ford produced its own cab-forward pickup and control-forward van by again using the Falcon platform to develop the Ford Econoline series. Chevrolet countered with the control forward van in 1964, but they never offered it in a pickup version. Dodge decided to jump in with its introduction of the A100 pickup cab-forward and van in 1964. We all know about those crazy van days during the '60s and '70s. Stay tuned, the early van revival is coming.
We have noticed that in the past couple of years the unpopular and neglected ugly duckling early model trucks of the past are beginning to draw attention from many custom truck enthusiasts. We are seeing more and more '60s and '70s model trucks being either built up in their stock trim, mild custom, hard-core custom, muscle truck, or Pro Street. What is the attraction? The prom queens of yesterday with all the alluring features and curves have aged well. With this new awareness of other less-attractive wallflowers from many proms decades ago are coming into their own, like a good bottle of wine that gets better with time.
All you need to do is straighten the bodywork, add some nice paint, bolt on some 20-plus wheels and tires, and present it with a lowered, (pneumatic or springs and spindles) just-right stance, and it will turn heads and have people talking.
While attending a recent early model truck show, the Ford F-100 Super Nationals, held in Knoxville, Tennessee, we noticed the show's acres and acres of F-1s and F-100s, the flagship of the show since it started in '79. There were a noticeable number of oddball-year models that showed up, either restored in stock trim or fully customized.
It seems as though wherever we go from show to show, more and more early model trucks have been drawing more attention. Who would have thought 10 years ago that station wagons would be cool. The bonus is most of these repugnant relics are still very affordable, and for someone on a limited budget for a project, this could be the way to go. Many of these fat-fender ogres have the potential to be transposed into a prince charming.