When they’re taken in for an oil change, the technicians pay the owner to work on them. When they were crash tested, the agencies responsible wrote a letter of apology to the manufacturer for scratching the paint. They are…the most interesting trucks in the world. While these situations we previously mentioned only exist within the realms of make-believe, there’s no shortage of exceptional vehicles at your local used truck dealer.
Today, we shine a spotlight on some of the most interesting trucks throughout history. These contributions to the ever-evolving industry were pivotal to the designs we see today or at least left a significant mark. With so many makes and models made throughout the years to choose from, which one do you tip your glass to and choose as the best? It can be a difficult choice, which is why we’ve taken the time to do some research through the annals of automotive history.
1948 Diamond T Model 201
While the brand has been lost to history and has been defunct for decades, there once was a time when the Diamond T was one of the most popular pickup trucks on the road. Much like Jeep, Diamond T served overseas during the second world war and was a vital part of the allied war effort and victory. Unlike today, where manufacturers don’t stay focussed on just one type of vehicle, Diamond T made trucks exclusively from their formation in the early 1900s all the way up to 1967.
The model 201 had a very unique style that sets it apart from many others, and even today is revered by die-hard collectors and connoisseurs. With its aggressive front end, enormous whitewall tires, and chrome hubcaps, looking at the 201 takes us back to a time when the pickup’s legacy was still in the early stages.
1946 Dodge Power Wagon
Similar to both Jeep and Diamond T, the Dodge Power Wagon spent a considerable amount of time in military service. While the name might conjure images of a newer vehicle of the same name, the first incarnation is unmistakable once you see it. Much like the Jeep, the vehicle earned a unique place in pop culture thanks to its use in several war films and the popular television series, M*A*S*H*, where the vehicle was shown in its capacity as an ambulance at the time.
Media and overseas tours of duty aside, the 1946 Power Wagon has a unique distinction that coincides with the economic boom period that took place after the second world war. Because American industry had been so active in wartime production, many manufacturers seized the initiative and focussed their efforts on producing consumer goods. The 1946 Power Wagon was the first time a vehicle with 4WD was made available for the average consumer. While finding a vehicle with 4WD these days isn’t too hard, we can thank Dodge for being the first to make the drivetrain accessible to a larger demographic.
2013 Chevy Avalanche
We actually want to start out this list with something a little bit more modern. There’s something to be said about a design or idea that goes against the grain of traditional thinking and strays outside convention to exist outside the box. The Chevy Avalanche was just such a vehicle. Ending production in 2013, its design was unique, and very few vehicles have come close to matching its aesthetic that GM attached its name to when it first rolled off the assembly line. The Avalanche’s truly distinctive look, which can best be described as a “domesticated monster truck,” made it instantly recognizable and a stand-out among the designs of the day.
The interior of the Avalanche seated six with no problems, and some even featured a DVD player in the backseat, keeping passengers easily distracted while on the road, which was all too easy considering how smooth the ride was. The Avalanche was much more than looks and comfort, as it was equipped with an impressive powertrain that included a V8 capable of generating 320 horsepower and six-speed automatic transmission. While it’s been almost a full decade since the Avalanche went the way of the Bel-Air and Nova, there still exists a strong affinity for the vehicle from nostalgia buffs and fans of the bow-tie brand alike. You can even see hints of its unique design on the upcoming Silverado EV model.
1953 Ford F-100
While the 1950s is synonymous with the hot rods and tail fins of leather jacket-clad cruisers, the pickup had just as much style as the coupes that defined the decade. Look no further than the Ford 1953 F-100, a pickup that seamlessly blended style and performance together and laid the foundation of the F-150 that we all know and love today.
The truck featured a design that seemed to be more in line with the commercial airlines that were taking to the skies, with its wrap-around windshield and a front end that was stylish, striking, and could easily compete with the likes of the Chevy Bel Air in terms of possessing a distinctive look. One of the first trucks to add emphasis on comfort, the 1953 F-100 had a larger cab with more legroom, something that would evolve over time into the extended cab pickups we see on the road today.
The F-100 also played a major role in the development of America’s infrastructure during the post-war boom period, as the truck was utilized by many construction companies as the basis for dump trucks.
1984 Chevy Sno Chaser
We conclude our list of interesting pickups throughout history with one that’s considered one of the rarest vehicles to come across and, by virtue of its design, one of the most odd-looking. The Chevy Sno Chaser might not have been on your radar, mainly because only a few hundred were ever made, and it was only marketed to geographic locations that had a great deal of snowfall.
The Sno Chaser might have gone completely unnoticed in the ongoing tide of vehicles produced in the 1980s by GM. However, while almost every area of the truck has the same appearance that was popular on many models throughout the decade, its mounted rear bed and two-tone paint job make it something of a sideshow attraction. Perhaps in an alternate reality, the Sno Chaser lives up to its namesake and is the ideal vehicle for those who have to plow their way through the tundra just to get from point A to point B. Now a highly sought after item among collectors, the Sno Chaser has at last found its distinction among a particular demographic.
The Most Interesting Trucks in the World
We hope you enjoyed our research on some of the most interesting trucks in history. Compiling this list wasn’t about earth-shaking power or flashy new features (though we can’t deny many of these trucks had both for their times), but what catches the eye and stands out in terms of style and innovation. Sure, the popular models always get talked about by the adoring masses, but it’s something else entirely to think completely outside the box and attempt to shift the paradigm of expectation. History is always written by the winners, but imagination and attempting to break the mold is always much more interesting than confining yourself to a box and following the same trends year after year with no end in sight. It’s the ones who take risks that end up being remembered––for better or worse.
