Keeping America moving for over 100 years, pickup trucks are the backbone of our country, and over the past century, we have seen pickup truck brands come and go, with some fizzling out before they had a chance to make an impact, and others that have solidified their status as proper trucking legends.

Used pickup trucks are a smart buy this year owing to the fact that the new pickup truck market is still very expensive. But if you want something a little different, want to put your engineering and mechanical skills to the test, want to express yourself through the medium of creating your own unique vehicle, and what to ride around in a piece of history, have you thought about restoring a classic American pickup truck?

We have found 10 great classic American pickup trucks that are perfect for a restoration or custom job. Each model represents different parts of our automotive history, all are available either in need of total restoration or just some fine-tweaking, and are all beasts of unique classic trucks that will turn heads wherever you go.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer's websites and other authoritative sources, including Classic.com, Hagerty, Auto Hunters' YouTube channel, Bring A Trailer, J.D. Power, Barn Finds.com, Hemmings, and CarEdge. All the following classic American trucks are perfect for restoration because they are collectors' dreams, have a unique history, suit having a crate engine fitted, are part of American trucking culture, can be modified, and can make for unique and interesting custom-builds.

10 1956 Ford F-100

A Wraparound Windscreen And Unique Cab For Ranking

Probably one of the most recognizable classic vehicles in America, the 1956 Ford F-100 boasts an illustrious history and is a hallmark of Ford's F-Series lineage. Boasting a curvy body and bold design, one of the most stand-out design features is the wraparound windshield and upright front pillars, giving it a uniquely F-100 look that stands out everywhere today, especially as each year we see more and more modern trucks on our roads.

Today, a 1956 F-Series can be bought at an average used price of just under $62,000 , or if you are looking for a full resto job, we are sure some scrapyards still have these lying around.

Performance Specifications

Boasting a sturdy chassis, available with either an automatic or manual transmission, a 12-volt electrical system, a large engine bay that has ample room for a crate engine, and available hydraulic steering, the F-100 could make for a great restoration or modification project, and if you are looking for some custom inspiration, Sylvester Stallone's 1955 F-Series played a big role in The Expendables - but to get it to that level, it will cost a lot of money.

If you can find a cheap shell somewhere, you have a lot of patience and skill, and depending on what engine you wedge in, and other modifications that are added, full-restored and fully-modded F-100s can go for a lot of money.

9 1950 Chevrolet 3100

The 3100's Sleek Body And Five-Bar Grille

Chevrolet has always been a heavy-hitter in the truck market, and the 1950 Chevrolet 3100 is one of their crowning moments as part of the beloved Advance Design Series introduced after World War 2. The first thing you'll notice as this awesome classic truck rolls towards you is its bold five-bar horizontal grille, rounded fenders, and sweeping curves, which give it a timelessly iconic look.

Compared to today's standards, the cab may not be the most comfortable, but for a mid-century pickup truck, it was designed with comfort in mind, boasting wide seats and improved visibility compared to the models that came before it.

Performance Specifications

Showcasing a wooden bed floor framed by steel strips adds a retro-rustic charm that gives the 3100 an edge, while modern owners have praised the 3100's smooth and reliable 216 cubic-inch powerplant and three-speed transmission. If you are looking at buying one, they currently have an average used price of $43,263, with the lowest sold price of $10,500, but this one was a "project" buy.

Upgrading the Chevy 3100's original 6-volt electrical system to a 12-volt electrical system could help with reliability.

8 1972 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Super

Luxury And Style Meets A Beast Of A V-8

The '72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super stands as a testament to the era when pickups started to merge utility with passenger car comforts. As part of Chevy's "Action Line", the C10 Cheyenne showcases a blend of ruggedness and refinement that continues to appeal to a lot of us and has gone on to influence modern-day luxury pickup trucks.

Performance Specifications

If you are looking at restoring a Cheyenne Super, because one of its most celebrated features is its plush interior, you may need to pay some attention to the detailing to revive it from 50 years of use and abuse. Additionally, the drip rail on the cab is prone to rust, but these are hard to find, so some "inventive creating" or buying a replacement cab as a donor may have to be thought about.

"Bought it in Michigan for $7,000 and appraised at 14,000. Truck will really move when you ask it to and will leave a trail of smoke behind you. Original leather bucket seats are the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in before, pretty unique for being so old.

Fully restored with some engine upgrades, puts out about 350 hp. Real eye-turner. People always start conversations at the pump. Gets about 10mpg, but is worth it. Fairly loud, but healthy, exhaust note. Gurgles at idle, roars at throttle. I love this truck."

7 1985 Chevrolet K10 Scottsdale

Rugged And Simple: What More Could You Ask For?

Part of the legendary square-body series, the 1985 K10 Scottsdale epitomizes true grit, rugged charm, and real utility. Built originally for work and play, with a durable 4WD drivetrain and rock-solid angular body that has since helped it become a coveted classic, in a K10 Scottsdale, you can still have a lot of fun in it.

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Under the hood, the 5.0-liter V-8 boasts a cast-iron block and heads with OHV driven by a single camshaft, offering you simplicity and immense durability, while hydraulic lifters and a four-barrel carburetor make it relatively simple to maintain or fix, if you buy a bit of a lemon.

Performance Specifications

Inside, the Scottsdale trim focuses on practicality with straightforward controls and durable upholstery, and while it is modest in luxurious appointments, it is comfortable enough for long drives and some off-road fun. If you are looking for inspiration on how you could modify a K10 Scottsdale, Jason Kelce has turned his K10 into an electro-mod .

Today, you can expect to buy an up-together example in "good" condition for $10,400 , while the most expensive model we could find was sold for just over $24,000.

6 1958 Dodge Sweptside

Rare And Flamboyant: A Collector's Dream

While a 1958 Dodge C Series can be bought for $30,000, the '58 Dodge Sweptside is a lot rarer beast with between only 975 and 2,000 being produced. Introduced as a limited-edition option, they have become a collector's dream today and are very hard to find. There has only been one sale of a Sweptside for the last five years, and it went for $61,500, while one dedicated Sweptside lover spent a decade melding two models in need of complete restoration together to create one beautiful example that he is unlikely to sell anytime soon. The Sweptside was built as a workhorse, but today, it is all about illustrious bragging rights - if you can find one.

Performance Specifications

The most notable feature of the Sweptside is its unique rear fenders. Dodge achieved this notoriety by replacing the original truck fenders with fenders from one of their two-door station wagons, creating a very stylish, sleek, and coveted design. Not only did this set it apart from any other truck on the market at the time, but it cemented the Sweptside's place in classic truck history, providing us with a totally unique design that can't be replicated today.

5 1974 Ford Bronco

A Versatile And Compact Off-Roader

As an ancestor of the almighty Ford Bronco Raptors we see today, the '74 Bronco is a legend for what it brought to the market: true off-roading ability, agility, and style that lives on today. As part of the first generation of this legendary vehicle, the Bronco isn't strictly a pickup truck, but it is based on the Ford F-100 pickup's chassis and ladder frame.

Boasting a 92-inch wheelbase, 6.75-inches of ground clearance, a 3.50:1 axle ratio, and leaf suspension that is decent at soaking up bumps in the road, the Bronco strikes a balance between agility, off-road prowess, toughness, and light towing duties, which, if you were to restore one today, you could enjoy in seriously cool retro fashion.

Performance Specifications

Built to take on the International Harvester Scout and Jeep CJ-5 for off-road fun, the first-gen Bronco planted its foot in the middle of the competition and did a grand job at disrupting the market and becoming extremely popular. In 1974, Ford built 25,824 Broncos, more than any other year of the original lineup. That means, today, aftermarket parts are generally obtainable, and they are relatively easy to come by if you don't want the hassle of fixing one up yourself, with 15 currently for sale. The downside of buying one in good condition today is that they come at an average cost of $83,804, but this is because they are much-loved and fun classics to own.

Trucks in the '70s were made to work and play, but a few could test even the most beefed-up car. Let's take a look!

4 1965 Ford F-250 Custom Cab

The Refrigerator Grille Makes It Stick Out

As the predecessor generation to the unstoppable Ford F-Series , the 1965 Ford F-250 is a true classic, with a style that is instantly recognizable in classic pickup truck circles. The most standout feature is by far the "refrigerator grille," a bold, full-width centerpiece that gives the F-250 a real sense of strength, an awesome '60s attitude, and a look into a time-gone-by in the world of auto design.

Performance Specifications

The F-250 Custom Cab was originally available as a more upscale cab option with optional power steering, a two-tone steering wheel, a full-length instrument panel, a radio, cabin heating, a large cushioned bench seat, and big windows for easy visibility over the long hood. Today, it is not uncommon to see a classic F-250 or two roaming the wilderness of classic car shows, which always makes for a good talking point, especially if you have a model boasting original paintwork and unblemished interior detailing.

3 1948 Dodge Power Wagon

Military Grade Toughness

As one of the most iconic pickup trucks ever built, the 1948 Dodge Power Wagon represents a turn from military might to civilian life. Based on the 3/4-ton WC Series that proved itself and helped win World War 2, the civilianized 1-ton Power Wagon was transformed into a rugged workhorse known for its toughness and durability, making them firm favorites with soldiers returning to laboring and farm work in the U.S.A. Though performance credentials are nothing like we see today and don't compare to some of the best classic performance trucks , it does represent how attitudes toward civilian life from auto brands changed after the war.

Performance Specifications

This is why it is such a big part of pickup truck history and why, if you can find one today to restore, it would make for a real head-turning talking point anywhere you trundle. Though parts and examples in need of restoration are relatively hard to find because of the Power Wagon's age, it could make for a nice project and history lesson on durability. Today, prices average out at $96,932, with the most expensive example in recent years being sold for $236,500.

2 1990 Dodge Ram D250

Cue The Powerful Cummins Turbo-Diesel

Though not the oldest truck on our list, the 1990 Dodge Ram D250 represents a game-changing moment in pickup truck history thanks to the durable and powerful turbo-diesel Cummins engine under the hood. Boasting a relatively low compression ratio of 17.5.1, a 12-valve configuration with two valves per cylinder, forged steel connecting rods, cast steel crankshaft, and a Holset HX35 twin-scroll turbocharger, the 5.6-liter Cummins engine was built for heavy work, not speed, but boy did it change the market.

The Cummins engine under the hood is also the reason why the D250 makes for a great truck to restore; it is durable, there are plenty of aftermarket parts available for it because it shares some components with other Dodge diesel engines, and thanks to its immense amount of torque, it can be used to tow a decent amount of stuff to this day while giving you the option to take it off-road.

Performance Specifications

While the D250 doesn't offer you much in the way of luxury, the easy-to-use controls, comfortable seats, and true work ethic make it a standout classic truck that, if restored and looked after, can keep going and going. There has been only one sold in recent years, but it commanded a relatively high price of over $26,000. As they get older and rarer, who knows what the future holds for one in good condition?

1 1966 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall

Blending Old-School Trucking With SUV Space

A striking example of mid-60s American design, the '66 Chevy Suburban Carryall strikes a balance between pickup truck utility and the versatility of an SUV and represents the last year of the 5th Gen Suburban before they were designed larger. The exterior features sharp, angular lines typical of the era with round headlights framed by square chrome bezels, while the two-door wagon style gives it a robust yet refined look. The Carryall boasts an extended wheelbase measuring 115 inches, which means there is more room inside for your passengers and room to lug things around (40.8 cubic feet of cargo storage).

Performance Specifications

We are not suggesting that the Suburban Carryall would be a convenient truck to own today for hauling, but if you are looking for a stylish, interesting, and relatively rare piece of American auto history to own, then buying one at the average used price of $52,845 and customizing it, or finding one that needs a full restoration for less than $3,000 , could be worth entertaining.