Buy these 9 trucks and SUVs for all your off-road and hauling needs
Looking to add some utility to your garage or collection this winter? If you’ve still got room in your budget after browsing the hot V-8 cars crossing the block during Arizona Auction Week, consider adding a pickup or SUV to your stable. It’s easy to talk yourself into a truck or SUV as a second or third vehicle, since four-wheel drive and cargo capacity can come in handy—not that you’d need any excuse to add one of these impressive workhorses to your stable.
These nine jumped out at us among the Scottsdale offerings, but they’re just a sampling of what’s available.
2001 Ford SVT Lightning
Barrett-Jackson: Lot 427
A pickup doesn’t need to carry a heavy load to really haul… as proven by this 2001 Ford Lightning. With 380 horsepower, up from 360 in 2000, the SVT Lightning was a potent sport truck in its day and was often on the receiving end of hot-rodding to improve its already-impressive dragstrip performance. This pristine example has just 1837 miles on the odometer and looks showroom fresh. With no real successor, and as SVT’s focus shifts to the off-road Raptor, this may be the last pickup of its kind from Ford. Plus, with its supercharged 5.4-liter V-8, you get to say your pickup has the same engine as the Ford GT and be partially correct. Of course, Raptor drivers can say the same about the second-generation GT and also be partially correct.
1997 Land Rover Defender 90 NAS
Gooding & Company: Lot 118
If I ruled the world, the Defender 90 would have never stopped coming to the U.S., but tightening safety standards meant that without airbags, the Defender couldn’t be sold in the states after 1997. Bridging the gap between capable off-roader and proper British class, the very last of the Defender 90s imported for sale in the United States in North American Specification (NAS) is rather decidedly spartan, yet its elegant lines and timeless design make it easy to fall in love. Did you ever think that a Land Rover Defender 90 could possibly sell for more than $200,000 as we enter 2020? If this is the “I’ve gotta have it” SUV for you, get down to Gooding & Company before this off-road hero goes bye baby.
1977 Plymouth Trail Duster
Russo & Steele: Lot F483
Vintage two-door SUVs have been hot for quite some time, and this Plymouth Trail Duster ticks a lot of boxes for collectability. First, it’s a 4×4 with a removable top, something that later full-size SUVs like the Chevy Blazer and Dodge Ramcharger abandoned and Ford Bronco discouraged. Second, it’s a rare beast, claiming to be built by off-road pioneer Vic Hickey’s Hickey Industries as the prototype for the Top Hand trim later used on the 202 Dodge Ramcharger Top Hands that were upfitted by Hickey. The third factor in this Plymouth’s prime collector status: it’s fabulous ’70s color and graphics package that make it stand out anywhere. The fact that it has a powerful big-block drivetrain doesn’t hurt, either.
1977 Dodge Top Hand pickup
Russo & Steele: Lot TH330
Like the Trail Duster, this is a prototype Top Hand, built by Hickey Industries to preview the 1978 models that would soon be available to order. Maybe you don’t need four seats; perhaps you prefer a stepside? In that case, this bull-bar-wearing brute might just be perfect for you. Or it could be that you want to make both of these Top Hand prototypes your own so that they can be garage and trail buddies.
1971 Chevrolet C10
Russo & Steele: Lot TH262
Feeling like packing up your pooch and heading on a cross-country journey to see America like John Steinbeck did in Travels with Charley? This 1971 Chevy pickup is one-generation newer than Steinbeck’s ride, and the camper is even less roomy, but it has been recently revamped and seems comfy.
1995 Ford Bronco
Barrett-Jackson: Lot 731
From the Paul Walker Collection, this Eddie Bauer-edition Bronco has just 32,808 miles on the odometer and looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. Its black exterior is highlighted by tan rockers and a tan top that match the interior and it’s powered by the top powertrain offered: a fuel-injected, 351-cubic-inch Windsor V-8. As we’ve already mentioned, two-door SUVs are a rare breed, and the last few years of the Bronco produced, at least for now, can still demand a premium. What will Paul Walker’s ownership to the price?
1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Barrett-Jackson: Lot 100.1
Jeep’s long-lived Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer have frequently been among the hottest collector vehicles on the market and this single-owner, 8000-mile example has got to be among the best-preserved of the breed. From its roof rack to its wood paneling to its oxblood interior, this family truckster looks perfect and ready for a cross-country road trip.
2006 Hummer H1
Barrett-Jackson: Lot 1333
The year 2006 marked the end of Hummer H1 production, and it was the only year that the 300-hp 6.6-liter Duramax and Allison five-speed automatic transmission were used, which vastly increased horsepower and drivability. With just 12,370 miles on the odometer, this may be as close as you can get to owning a brand-new H1. The fact that it’s also equipped with the Off Road Adventure option group is just icing on the cake.
1976 GMC Sierra Grande
Barrett-Jackson: Lot 1431
It’s hard to predict how custom vehicles will perform at auction; the final product has to resonate enough with a buyer to get them to invest anywhere close to the amount put into the project, and the stars don’t always align. Still, this GMC short bed has our attention. Built by Squarebody Syndicate as an homage to the rare Indy Hauler, the graphics are among the coolest ever put on a production truck. Under the hood is a supercharged LS3 dressed up to resemble the Keith-Black-built small-block Chevy that was on the cover of the Hot Rod magazine’s October 1979 issue. We’re curious to see if the muscle car collectors present will appreciate the thoughtful build.
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