10 vintage pickups for $20,000 or less
Who doesn’t love a vintage pickup? With their simple layouts and sturdy construction, there are plenty of examples of old iron that would make great projects. We’re not trying to rationalize adding another vehicle to your collection, but if you’re already eyeing that empty bit of space in your garage and picturing how you’d fill it, perhaps a classic pickup truck isn’t the worst option. True, that spot might have to be a bit bigger than the space needed for a sporty roadster, but you typically can’t fit a pair of motorcycles or half a cord of wood into the trunk of a Triumph. OK, maybe we are trying to rationalize adding another vehicle to your collection.
We had our valuation specialists look through the latest numbers and we picked out a wide variety of pickups from an array of manufacturers that can all be had in #3 (Good) condition for less than $20,000. A vehicle in #3 condition could be a candidate for sprucing up or enjoying as-as, and putting the bed to use as intended. This list of sub-$20,000 pickups is far from exhaustive—there are plenty more out there that should fit just about every classic pickup lover’s fancy. Do any of these parts haulers and workhorses have a place in your collection?
1930 Model A open cab pickup
The Model A Ford was available in a staggering number of body styles, from roadster and cabriolet to coupe, sedan, and pickups both with and without a metal roof. This is one case where the adage, “if the top goes down, the price goes up” doesn’t apply as the roadster pickup has recently dropped in price to come in under our $20,000 threshold. All of the same hot-rodding principles apply to these pickups, and while their banger engines can be hopped up, they also look and perform quite nicely with a flathead V-8 swapped in and the hood sides removed to show it off.
1959 Studebaker Deluxe 1/2-ton 259 V-8
Studebaker ushered in a new generation of pickups in 1960, with sheet metal based on their car lineup, so the 1959 pickups were nearing the end of an era. These curvy trucks eschewed the quad-headlamp look that the Big Three had all adopted by 1959, so they might have looked a bit dated when new, although we think the style has aged just as nicely as many of its contemporaries. The half-ton we picked comes with a 259-cubic-inch V-8. If this were in our collection we’d enjoy taking it to shows, and it’d no doubt be the only one of its kind in attendance.
1967 Chevrolet C10 short-bed fleetside 327 V-8
Another that came in just under our $20K cap, the first year of a new pickup generation brought the ’67 Chevy pickups gorgeous styling. This was the only year of this era without side marker lights, making for a clean, uncluttered design. This generation has aged well and has been a mainstay among pickup fans for ages. The long trailing arms used on the rear suspension of the 2WD pickups gave them great handling for the era and their enduring popularity have helped aftermarket suppliers make all sorts of restoration and restomod parts available. Equipped with a 327 cubic-inch small-block V-8, this could be a great parts hauler to match your Bow Tie muscle car.
1973 International Wagonmaster 1110 392 V-8
International Harvester built several interesting vehicles despite being outmanned and outspent by the Big Three, and as a result they’ve also cultivated a sizable cadre of dedicated enthusiasts. They were sort of like the AMC of pickups and SUVs, except that AMC also made pickups and SUVs. We think you get the point. The Wagonmaster was an ingenious product that proved to be way ahead of its time. The concept: take a four-door SUV and remove the rear roof section to build a crew-cab pickup. It’s the recipe that would eventually give us the Chevrolet Avalanche decades later. The Wagonmaster also existed long before crew-cab pickups became the largest share of the pickup market, so if you’re looking for the combination of four-passenger practicality and short-bed utility in a pickup from the ‘70s, your options are limited. The one we picked is powered by a big International V-8 engine, that comes in a displacement familiar to Mopar fans: 392 cubic inches. International’s family of V-8 engines are known for being heavy as heck, but they also come with a reputation for being bulletproof.
1979 Jeep J-10 Custom Townside short bed 4×4 360 V-8
Before the Gladiator was based on a Wrangler and the Comanche was based on the XJ Cherokee, Jeep’s pickups were built on a full-size platform shared with the venerable Wagoneer. These pickups were powered by AMC’s inline-six or the optional 360 V-8 like the one we’ve chosen here, and the 4×4 versions came equipped with Jeep’s Quadra-Trac 4×4 system with low range. These pickups might be a bit more difficult to find parts for compared to their Big Three contemporaries, although there are plenty of reproduction graphics available to give it a Honcho or Golden Eagle upgrade, which kind of makes up for it. The Golden Eagle models are a bit more desirable and fell just outside of our $20,000 cap.
1985 Toyota SR5 4×4 Xtra Cab 22R-E
The styling of the 1984-1988 Toyota pickups has aged quite well in our opinion, and the values of SR5 4x4s across the range is rather similar, so take your pick of 2bbl carbureted 22R engine or the fuel-injected 22R-E model for a bit more power. We gave our nod to the 1985 model for a couple of reasons. It was Marty McFly’s pickup of choice and looks great with a mild lift and some added lights, even if you don’t want to go full Back to the Future regalia. It also was the final year of a solid front axle in 4×4 models, making it easier to upgrade for some weekend off-roading. These tough and simple trucks were at the forefront of building Toyota’s reputation for reliability.
1985 F-350 Crew Cab 4×4 460 V-8
You’d have to clear a massive parking spot for this behemoth, one of the largest pickups in our lineup. In exchange you’ll get a roomy cabin with seating for up to six, an eight-foot bed, and a gargantuan big-block V-8. Ford had yet to make the switch to fuel injection, so you’ll have ample opportunity to tune up the 460 with your choice of parts or convert it to EFI, which Ford did itself in 1988. It’s true, the big-block is no powerhouse by today’s standards—today’s F-150 comes with a base 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 that can outpower this 460, but it’s tough to knock the simplicity of this pushrod brute.
1987 GMC V1500 4×4 350 V-8
Square-body GM 1/2-ton pickups have seen renewed interest in recent years, and 1987 is the youngest, most developed model year you can buy in. By then, GM offered throttle body injection, and while crude, the system was also reliable. Top-shelf square-bodies can far exceed our $20k cap, but there are still plenty of good ones available in a variety of configurations for not too much coin.
1989 Chevrolet K1500 Sportside 4×4 350 V-8
The GMT 400 generation of pickups sparked new life into the custom truck scene. Their clean, uncluttered lines look great lowered or lifted. Like its earlier brethren we mentioned, these used a simple TBI injection setup. Their cylinder heads, cam, and intake are among the least impressive ever installed on a small-block Chevy, so a set of remanufactured Vortec heads and a new intake that reuses the factory TBI is an OEM option for a major upgrade.
1990 Dodge W150 short bed 4×4 360 V-8
Just like Ford and GM, Dodge got a lot of mileage out of its 1970s-era cab design, with Dodge using the same basic structure from 1972 until the radical semi-truck-inspired Ram debuted in 1994. By the late ‘80s, Dodge had adapted TBI to its LA-based small-blocks, just as GM had done with its V-8s. Despite not having any design language in common with modern Rams, these trucks have a charm all their own. The 360 V-8 would wake up with a tune-up and we’d be tempted to backdate it with Macho Power Wagon graphics from the late ’70s.
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Can you comment on the “Job-rated” era of Dodge trucks? I have been unable to get a valuation for my ‘47 WD-15 (3/4 ton or 1500 lbs) pickup from your website.
Seriously do any of these trucks run? You people need to be careful what you write are you running out of things to say? Maybe you can buy any one of these vehicles and pull up with your trailer and drag it on to it for that kind of money. Are you kidding me?
Also Hagerty valuation tool is archaic in comparison to the past. One more thing there stock is a terrible investment!!!!!!
I have a 1989 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup and it’s a excellent driver. My ’89 is lowered 4 & 6 front to back and I don’t need a ladder to get into it. The only thing about this year the clear coat is coming off in sheets. It a nice tonneau bed cover. The truck has over 2K on it and still going strong. If, the engine goes it’ll bet crate engine love the truck.
I still have my 83 Chevy C-10 short box step side I ordered new in 82.
It has been done up in ” Pro Stock ” style with a ton of modifications but only has 70336 original miles and all the original Aztec Bronze paint. The interior is a Camel color with dark brown accents and a custom center console . It obviously has never seen snow and has only been caught in the rain 2 times and only ever been on 1 dirt road during a rescue call , so it’s Cherry everywhere.
First it was dropped 10″ all around with a “Bell-Tec ” lowering kit and all the plastic interior trim was replaced with Birdseye Maple wood, 5 point harnesses ,full custom interior, varnished Oak with Rosewood trim for the box floor and the inside of the box and inside the engine bay is all upholstered in contrasting colors too . It has a Pro Stock rear spoiler, a parachute pack and wheelie bars and doubled up adjustable shocks all around.
Ya sure it’s a bit over the top but man is “Lowdown” ever sweet and it never fails to garner a ton of positive compliments at the car shows along with usually taking a trophy !
That will be passed down to my kids or Grandkids at some point along with my 71 Buick Rivi and 72 Karmin Ghia, all of which are multiple 1st place show winners .
Who gets what will be up to them and with 4 kids, 12 Grand kids and 13 Great Grand-kids with 2 more on the way soon,,,,
I’m glad I won’t be around to see that “Battle Royal” , they’ll have to start a family raffle I guess when I kick off these mortal coils ?
Either way, whom ever gets them better , Damn Well, take good care of my babies or I’ll come haunt them ! LOL!
The ’73 International Wagonmaster picture has to be Photo Shopped. I don’t recall seeing 5th wheel travel trailers in ’73. Could be wrong. Although, as it’s shown, with the 5th wheel ball being a foot and a half behind the rear axle, it would be hard pressed to get to the freeway, let alone go very far.
Here. A 1973 Del Rey fifth wheel trailer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7cMsTzOI2Q.
For a light trailer a fifth wheel 1 foot behind the axle would be no worse, and actually maybe better than a pintle on the rear of the frame but you’re right, on a heavy trailer like a semi or a trailer designed to be pulled by a dually, that would be a bad location for the fifth wheel.
No need to photo shop a drawing. But i would agree that this artist’s rendition has the hitch set back further than it should be.
I’ll take that 59 Studie any day.
What about the Dodge Rampage and Plymouth Scamp? They sell cheap. What about the various flatnose pickups of the 1960’s? They are not so very expensive now, right?
I live in the southeast and I can tell you, some of that pricing is WAY off. A square body Chevrolet 4×4 brings BIG bucks down here.
I would never have that era Toyota. If your over 5’5 the configuration of the floor board and seat put your knees nearly into your chin. As A shop manager I had the misfortune of working on a jeep pick up that era. What a piece of junk and not from wear and tear. The Dodge and C10 are both very cool trucks. Just my 2 cents worth.
Many of these vehicles hark from some of the auto industry’s darkest days, the 70’s and 80’s. I bought new and still have a ’72 GMC 3500 that I keep around mostly to remind me of the folly and aggravation associated with buying new vehicles. And so far it has done its job, as that was my first last and only foray into new vehicle purchase. That was the time auto companies began experimenting with recycled steel and unfortunately vehicle buyers were unwitting parts of that experiment. The 67-72 GMs and the “square bodies” that followed were so bad, on a quiet day you could hear them rust. The engines in those were notoriously bad and thirsty. My GMC has never in its 54000 miles gotten better fuel economy empty, downhill, with a tail wind than I regularly get with my 2005 International 4300 with the DT466 diesel – and fully loaded at that. As to the Dodges of similar vintage, their main function was to make the GM’s look good. Don’t ask the former owner of a ’74 W300 how I know.
The Studebaker is interesting though. I’ve never seen one before. It’s true the design looks nice today but in 1959? I can’t imagine how they carried that 1950-ish look over for so long and sold any at all. And considering I’ve never seen one, maybe they didn’t. But that is what makes it so appealing. I’m not exactly a big Model A fan but a nice example would bubble up to the top of this list, unless, of course, you were thinking of using it as a daily driver.
Taken as a whole, though, this is a most uninspiring list of relics that gives one a much greater appreciation for more modern vehicles.
Doing a complete interior rebuild on my 85 F150 XLT Lariat Extended Cab, errr Super Cab, long bed…
Bought it when it was around five years old and would have to have way more than 20K to part with it.!!!
Had a 65 Chevy long bed for around 18 years.
Wish I still had my 36 Chevy Pickup! 60 over 283, tunnel ram, fenderwell exit headers, Olds rear end.. 🙂