There’s something special about those ‘70s pickups that kept it simple—square edges, loud engines, and no fancy trim pretending to be luxury. These trucks pulled trailers, ran errands, and did the dirty work without ever asking for attention. Most have vanished off highways and backroads today, but a few legends still linger in the dust, waiting to be remembered.
1972 Chevrolet LUV
Small but scrappy, this import-based pickup gave Chevy a much-needed answer to the ’70s gas crunch. The 1972 Chevrolet LUV ran on a 1.8-liter Isuzu engine and kept things barebones—manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and a no-frills interior. It sold surprisingly well for its size.
1973 Ford Courier
Before the Ford Ranger showed up, this little hauler filled the small-truck gap. Designed by Mazda but sold with a blue oval, the Courier offered simple mechanics and reliable mileage with its 1.8-liter engine. The styling felt American, but in reality, it was all Japanese efficiency.
1975 Dodge D100 Warlock
Part of Dodge’s “Adult Toys” line, the Warlock came loaded with black paint, gold pinstriping, wood accents, and thick chrome bumpers. It looked like something a stuntman would drive—and that was the point. Buyers wanted flair with function, and Dodge delivered.
1977 GMC Caballero
The Caballero didn’t exactly set sales records. It combined car comfort with pickup utility, but buyers stuck with Chevy’s better-known version. Still, it featured potent V6 and V8 options and a smooth ride for its time. Most got driven into the ground or rusted beyond saving.
1978 Jeep Honcho
Flashy decals and wide-track axles gave the Honcho some serious personality. Jeep marketed it straight at younger drivers with money and an appetite for dirt. These vehicles came with AMC V8s and optional Quadra-Trac 4WD, which made them great off-road but hard on gas.
1971 Ford F-250 Camper Special
The Camper Special featured a longer wheelbase, beefier suspension, and a higher-output alternator to power camper accessories. Most of these trucks worked hard their whole lives—hauling gear, towing trailers, and clocking high mileage. That’s why clean examples rarely surface now.
1974 Chevrolet C10 Stepside
Angular fenders, wooden bed slats, and that unmistakable Stepside stance–this truck had some serious attitude. Chevrolet offered straight-sixes and small-block V8s, which were easy to maintain but not built for punishment. These trucks were often used hard and stored outdoors, so rust won that battle.
1976 Dodge Adventurer SE
This one wore its Sunday best with two-tone paint, plush bucket seats, a woodgrain dash, and chrome where it mattered. The Adventurer SE gave Dodge fans something upscale without stepping into luxury territory. It still packed reliable Slant-Six or V8 power.
1979 Ford Ranchero GT
The 1979 Ranchero GT leaned more like a muscle car than a pickup, especially with its stacked headlights and optional 400-cubic-inch V8. It shared a platform with the Ford LTD II. People either loved or ignored it, and many of these trucks got scrapped once maintenance became expensive.
1970 International Harvester 1200D
IH didn’t care about slick marketing—they made trucks that worked. The 1200D came with heavy axles, leaf springs tough enough for farm life, and big inline-sixes or V8s under the hood. Drivers respected it for utility, not looks. But that no-frills build meant few people kept them once smoother rides arrived.
1978 Plymouth Trail Duster Sport
The Trail Duster mainly flew under the radar, built on the same frame as the Dodge Ramcharger. It offered full-time 4WD, a removable roof, and options like a 360 V8—perfect for outdoor weekends. Still, it never caught on like the Bronco or Blazer. Plymouth pulled the plug in the early ’80s.
1971 GMC Sprint
The GMC Sprint mirrored Chevy’s El Camino with its half-muscle, half-hauler appeal. Base models came with six-cylinder engines, while Sprint SP versions packed V8 power under the hood. It never caught on like its twin. Many were used as daily drivers until rust and wear took over.
1973 Chevrolet C20 Longhorn
The C20 Longhorn offered extra bed space without needing a full-on dual setup. It featured a reinforced frame and heavy-duty springs and often came with a big-block V8. Unfortunately, these trucks didn’t age well in wet climates.
1972 Ford F-100 Styleside
The Styleside body gave this F-100 a smoother profile and ditched the step fenders in favor of a straight side panel. Underneath, it still delivered Ford’s trusty Twin I-Beam suspension and optional V8s that could pull or tow without blinking. Many ended up as work rigs or family hand-me-downs.
1976 Jeep J10 Golden Eagle
Big eagle decals on the hood and gold wheels made this truck impossible to miss. The J10 Golden Eagle was meant for off-road fans who wanted flash and function. It carried AMC’s V8 lineup and optional Quadra-Trac four-wheel drive. Surviving models often need new floor pans and electrical rewiring.