Ultra Rare Trucks Are Restored To Their Former Glory

There are two main things you need to know about these trucks; 1) they were awesome to begin with. I mean, legends. And, 2) they’ve been restored BEYOND their original glory. These things are downright cool. You’re going to love them. Some of these restorations will look the same as original just much cleaner like it just rolled off the assembly line. While others have some modifications that make them drastically better than the manufacturer could have ever dreamt of doing. One thing is for sure. All of these amazing project restorations came out absolutely astonishing. Check out all 40 and let us know which one is your favorite. We could look at these beauties all day. Check them all out!

1964 Ford F-150

Believe it or not, this 1964 Ford F-150 was originally used as a service truck for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In that occupation, a truck can get pretty beat up. But the folks who handled this restoration job did some beautiful work. The engine was rebuilt, body work was completed and the F-150 was painted its original Forest Green. An interesting fact about the 1964 edition of the F-150 (as well as the 1963) is that the bed from the 1957-1960 series was used in the 1964 F-150. The original engine was a 352 CID FE V8 which put out 208 horsepower. This right here is a beautiful truck, and it’s one we’d love to get our hands on!

1966 Ford F-100

Staying in the Ford family for our second truck, this 1966 Ford F-100 pickup is a beautiful example of a restoration done right. The truck cab and floors are original but everything else on this machine is a rebuild. It took three years to refurbish this F-100 completely, and it is well worth the wait. It’s in mint condition. The 1966 F-100 is the last edition in the fourth-generation line of Ford F-series pickups. We love the aggressive look of the red and black paint job!

1961 Ford Econoline Pickup

What is now a boxy and unattractive line of cargo vans, this 1961 Econoline pickup truck is anything but that. Introduced as part of the Econoline model line for 1961, the Ford Econoline pickup truck was based upon the cargo van. The front is nearly identical, but the back half is chopped off. The result is interesting looking, but no doubt a classic! The pickup option in the Econoline series ended after 1967, so that makes this 1961 edition, which was the first in the line by the way, that much more sought after. We love this classic truck!

1949 Dodge Power Wagon

Rugged, powerful, and dare we say it…sexy. This 1949 Dodge Power Wagon has been restored, refurbished, rebuilt – you name it! 1949 was the fourth year in the Power Wagon series. What you may notice in the image above is the doors. Rarely, if at all, will you see a 1949 Dodge Power Wagon with two doors. This truck was succeeded by the ever-present Dodge Ram. This Power Wagon is no doubt a custom job. Although it probably costs big bucks, we would love to own it!

1956 Chevrolet 3100

Ocean Green and Bombay Ivory – that’s the colors you see here. What we’re looking at is a 1956 Chevy 3100 that’s been completely stripped and rebuilt. It was laying in storage in a garage in California since 1973 and if you could look through the vehicle, you’ll see a hodge-podge of parts from other vehicles as well. Such as a 1972 Camaro front clip, steering column, and rear end. It’s got leather seats, a V8 engine and completely updated audio system. All in all, a beautiful truck!

1931 Chevy Pickup

Rare, and beautiful…what a combination. This bad boy dates back to the Great Depression. Thankfully for our eyes, its exterior has been refurbished since then. The body and frame is original, although it was taken off during the restoration. It’s got automatic transmission, tan faux-leather interior and green exterior paint. But not just any green – John Deere Green. That in itself is a treasure. There’s no doubting that this old pickup is a rare find, but we just love how good it looks too!

1930 Ford Roadster

If you thought a 1931 truck would be the oldest on this list – you’re mistaken! This awesome 1930 Ford Roadster is certified AWESOME. Not so much a pickup as the rest of them, it does still have a Brookville bed in the back of the extended cab. White interior with Corvette Nassau Blue exterior and red accents, this automatic V8-engine pickup truck is a sight to behold. The Roadster Pickup is a spinoff of the Ford Model A series, produced from 1927-1930. It’s as rare as it is beautiful!

1954 Ford F100

This custom Show Truck couldn’t be dropped any lower if even it wanted to. Just about everything in this F100 has been retooled, and we’ve got to say…it looks awesome. Not every drop job can turn out this clean. The red exterior mixed with beige interior gives this 1954 Ford F100 a classic look. The brand new V-8 engine under the hood gives it a modern feel and sound. Given our choice between a pickup built recently and this beauty, you know which one we’d choose!

1939 Chevrolet Pickup

Completely rebuilt and completely classic, this 1939 Chevrolet Pickup is simple, clean and runs like a charm. Complete with a 235 inline 6 engine and 3 speed manual transmission, it’s rebuilt to original specs. The only exception is that its upgraded to a 12V system and electronic ignition. We just love that they decided to keep the oak bed slats, it gives it that old-timey look that is synonymous with Chevy pickups of yesteryear. Plus, the black and silver exterior is just perfect!

1937 Plymouth PT-50 Pickup Truck

Hot Blue. That’s the awesome color of paint you see on this 1937 Plymouth pickup. 1937 was the first edition of this model, and this one seen here has a rebuilt engine and power glide transmission. Also new is the paint job, chrome accents and tires. This Plymouth PT-50 Pickup Truck from the late 1930’s is surely the cause of envy for many of us. That’s one beautiful time capsule!

1948 Ford F1

The first F-Series truck, which was also called the Ford Bonus-Built, was introduced in late 1947. They were a replacement for the pre-war Ford trucks. Compared to prior Ford pickups, the F-1 has a flat, one-piece windshield and integrated headlamps. It has a wider cab than prior trucks. We don’t know the specific name of this paint job, but it sure is head-turning. Whoever completed this renovation did a phenomenal job!

1951 Ford F-1

This classic is the first-generation Ford F-series pickup truck. It’s an F-1 from 1951 which is a couple of years before Ford changed the F-1 to an F-100 (rumor has it, this was partially because of the popular F-100 Super Sabre aircraft). Anyways, the cherry-red paint is a custom job, as is much of the rest of the vehicle. The 1951 trucks were restyled with a single bar type grille and a headlight at each end of the grille bar. The grille was painted argent (silver) to complement the chrome headlight bezels. This features have been updated in this model. Whoever refurbished this beauty did one great job!

1940 Ford 1/2 Ton Pickup Truck

This is our second 1940 1/2 Pickup Truck on this list, and there’s good reason. It’s gorgeous! The Ice Blue paint job is immaculate on this refurbished time capsule. This image was captured at the 2006 Del Mar autoshow, so there’s no telling what kind of condition this vehicle is in today. But we hope it’s just as good-looking as it is in this photo. Ice Blue is one excellent paint color for a pickup truck.

1964 Chevy C10


This is a 1964 Chevy C10 Pick Up. The restoration involved pulling the truck off the frame and doing the metalwork. After completion, the technicians sanded the car and covered it in Blue Poly Paint. Along with the paint job, they replaced the bumpers and added a new chrome grille. As for the interiors, this C10 contains a new black wood floor, side stainless lining, a black vinyl bench, and door panels. It also has A/C installed and a new Rosewood wheel. Under the hood, this truck has a 350 V8. Topping off the project, the technicians added 18” Riddler Wheels.

1956 Chevrolet 3100 NapCo 4×4

This bad, bad machine is a totally different truck than the other 1956 Chevy 3100 on this list. This one is a 4×4 moster. NapCo (Northwestern Auto Parts Company) was a four-wheel drive automobile parts manufacturing company founded in 1918. NapCo was bought out not long after this very truck was made, so that makes this Chevy 3100 all the more awesome. This has been refurbished to include modern interior and specs, as well as the exterior paint and chrome jobs. What excellent work on this beautiful vehicle!

1937 Chevy Pickup

Sunset Pearl. That’s the beautiful hue of color you’re looking at right now. I want my bedroom painted that color. I wish every car was required to be outfitted with Sunset Pearl. This 1937 Chevrolet Pickup Truck jumps off the page with that beautiful paint job. Believe it or not, this refurbished Chevy is made up of a lot of different parts from a lot of different vehicles. But the frame is classic 1930s Chevrolet. Great work on this Chevy!

1950 Chevrolet 3100


Take a look at this truck. This 1950 Chevrolet 3100 short box pickup has many alterations such as a frame-off restoration, custom body modification, and interiors. It uses a Corvette 350 CI along with an automatic transmission and air ride technology. Lastly, it has new custom heaters and exhaust system, front disc brakes, and Lokar shifter. This pickup has gone on to win many awards. A buy ultimately purchased this vehicle at an auction.

1966 Chevrolet C10

Do yourself a favor and try to find another C10 like this one that’s as in good of shape. This 1966 Chevy C10 has been stretched to a four-door frame, painted Black and restored nearly from head to toe. The steering wheel, steering column, dashboard, bumpers, hood, grille, and drivetrain shifter are all stock. Everything else on this awesome refurbished truck is new and improved. The restoration took over a year and we sure are glad it happened because look at this beautiful machine now.

1977 Mercedes Benz Unimog 416

This 1977 Mercedes Benz Unimog 416, painted Viper Red, is outfitted with a dump bed for extra utility. In the United States and Canada, the Unimog was sold as the Freightliner Unimog. It has myriad purposes, including military, commercial, motorsport and in this case, civilian. The cab was stripped to bare metal before undergoing a color change. The bed and wheels were sandblasted before painting, and the end result is one clean looking truck. This is one monster machine, and one that we wish we could get our hands on!

1958 Chevrolet Apache NapCo 4×4

In 1958, Chevy changed some things. All light-duty trucks are now called “Apache”, medium-duty trucks called “Viking”, and heavy-duty trucks called “Spartan”. However, this isn’t the standard Apache pickup. This pickup truck is one of the rare ones with the NAPCO Power-Pak conversion – which is most noticeable in the body of the truck bed. It’s a beautiful truck without the conversion, but with it this 1958 gem looks even better.

1940 1/2 Ton Ford Pickup

Refurbished from head to toe, this 1940 1/2 ton pickup truck is in perfect condition. The exterior couldn’t be in better condition and the Titanium Green Metallic paint job is stunning. 1940 started a trend for Ford where the trucks began to style similar to Ford’s other cars. But the main difference was the monster original engines: two flathead V-8 engines: a 136-cubic-inch 60-horsepower unit. The truck you see here looks nothing like the one produced back in 1940, but we’re thankful for that because it’s beautiful how it is today!

1938 Ford Pickup Truck

Speaking of pre-war Ford pickup trucks, here’s a beautifully restored 1938 Ford pikcup. Ford pickup trucks were fitted with a new cab in 1938, front-end sheetmetal, and bed. The debut of a truck that slotted between the light-duty car-based pickup and the heavy-duty 11/2-ton models was an increased attraction. The 1938 model weighed one ton, and was appropriately called the “One-Tonner.” The restoration on this One-Tonner is perfect.

 1946 Dodge Power Wagon

This beautiful 1946 Dodge Power Wagon Crew Cab was just sold to a new owner. Listing price? A cool $259,950. This is one of Truck Trend’s top SEMA builds. Powered by an SRT8 Hemi with a Whipple Supercharger. It puts out 575HP at the AXLE and over 650 at the motor. It was built as a display for Maxxis Tires.

1962 GMC Crew Cab

Now this is special. Allegedly, this is the only one like this left in the United States. It’s one-of-a-kind but it’s not custom. There were only six of these workhorses back in 1962, and it looks nearly the same now as it did then. The differences are a new paint job, wheels, tires and other small items. This is one rare, re-tooled truck! What a beauty.

1929 Ford Model A Pickup Truck

This is the second Model A on this list, and the more conventional of the two. Mainly because it still has a full cab on it. The 1929 Model A has several varieties of pickup truck: Roadster Pickup, Deluxe Service Pickup, Deluxe Pickup and this one, the standard Pickup model. Painted a dark metallic blue, this is one clean ride! A really excellent restoration project right here.

1950 Chevrolet 3800 One Ton Flatbed

It was a workman’s vehicle back then, and it’s a workman’s vehicle now. Even after a well-done restoration, this black one-ton flatbed workhorse has a clear purpose. To get the job done. Many restorations are done for show or for dough, but this one seems clearly planted on the opposite side of the fence. A well done job no doubt!

1924 Ford Model TT

1924 was a big year for Ford pickup trucks. Before 1924, all Ford pickups were sold with what’s called an ‘open-cab’. Basically it was a rolling chassis and Ford left the bed work up to the buyer or third parties. But this truck seen here, the 1924 model, was the first Ford truck to come with the bed attached. And this specific one has been restored beautifully! We couldn’t think of a better truck to have our list.

1929 Ford Model A Woody Wagon

Beautifully restored by a group in Atlanta, this 1929 Ford Model A Woody Wagon is a rare piece of history! The exterior of this Woody Wagon is super clean, with a classic, natural shade of Beige. The Maple and Birch paneling makes this Ford look like a time machine that’s jumped straight from the days of President Calvin Coolidge into modern times. A beautifully restored truck/station wagon!

1940 Plymouth Pickup

This Green & Yellow tribute to John Deere classic colors is actually rebuilt on a 1991 Dodge Dakota chassis. If you’ve never seen a Plymouth pcikup truck before, it’s okay. They didn’t last too long, and at the time, weren’t received very well by the public. The first of Plymouth’s first two forays into trucks lasted from 1937-1940. They tried again later in the 1970s as well. That only makes this awesome piece of machinery that much more rare – add that to the beautiful restoration job and you’ve got one awesome, rare truck!

1941 Willy’s W23 Pickup

Now this is a treat. With a brand new General Motors ZZ3 350CID V8 engine under the hood, Ferrari-red paint job, custom wooden bed and completely retooled interior – this beautiful 1941 Willy’s W23 Pickup truck is one sweet ride! Known mostly for their Jeep-style trucks, Willy’s pickup history is less known. This rare piece of machinery is just beautiful.

1942 Chevrolet AK

This beauty comes to us from Gateway Classic Cars in Philadelphia. The Chevrolet AK Series truck was a light duty truck sold under the Chevrolet brand. Production on the AK series began in 1941 and only lasted until 1947. Due to World War II, there was no production of the AK trucks for the public in 1942. All trucks were designed strictly for military use. This 1942 AK is one of those trucks. It’s got a TON of power and might under the hood and frame, and the fact that it wasn’t commercially available makes it quite rare!

1950 Chevrolet Truck

Professionally refurbished, this 5-window 1950 Chevrolet Truck features a chassis engineered by Streamline; consisting of a 1968 Camaro sub-frame with quick ratio steering, 4 link rear suspension and 12 bolt rear end. Its exterior is simple Gray and its interior color is called Distressed Luggage. Additional exterior features include custom rear bumper and roll pan, with fuel tank moved to underside of the bed. The 1950 Chevrolet Truck is one of the all-time classic looks, and the folks who refurbished this one did an exceptional job!

1946 Studebaker M5 Pickup

This 1946 Studebaker M5 1/2-ton pickup truck is restored to mint condition. The Champion 169 ci. I6 engine is still under the hood, but has been completely restored. Studebaker began production on its trucks in 1940 and several versions were used across Europe and Russia during World War II. This one here is painted Deep Navy and has a custom, new bed in the back. We could look at this truck all day!

1947 Dodge WD21


This 1947 Dodge WD21 resotration job has 45,300 miles on the truck even though it’s been around for nearly 75 years. The restoration gave the truck a stop-and-stare look with the fresh coat of Blue and Black paint. The wood en panel bed received extra care to make the wood look as if it were still back in the 1940’s. From head to toe, this old truck looks simply great.

1947 Chevrolet 3800

This is a workhorse, no doubt about it. The ’47 Chevy 3800 received a complete frame-off restoration and it was excellently done, no doubt about that. It’s got a 9-foot bed and has been painted Butternut Yellow. Most of the Chevy 3800’s you could find are rusted out or beyond repair. But we’re glad this piece of beauty and history is in as good of shape as it is!

1948 Ford F6 COE Ramptruck

Look out. This is a lot of truck! The 1948 Ford F6 Ramptruck is one of the lat of its kind that’s still on the roads. Tuxedo black and completely restored from the ground up, this Ramptruck turns heads (and probably even bodies) everywhere it goes. The best part of this restoration? It’s got a 140-decibel train horn attached. If no one could see or hear this truck before, they can now for sure! What an amazing restoration of this massive truck!

1948 Ford Pickup/Rat Rod

This is just fun. This 1948 custom job has a lot going on. The rat rod is hard not to notice in any environment, but especially on this list of traditional pickups. Satin green sets the tone on the body and the pops of red are what create the ‘Wow’ moment. This custom-job gave what was otherwise a standard 1948 pickup new life. We love it.

1948 Ford F100 Panel Truck

This is another fun one. A complete custom job, this restoration-turned-renovation has Mustang parts, Corvette parts and several other vehicle parts as a part of this finished project. What’s that beautiful plum color, you ask? DuPont Hawaiian Orchid, obviously. With as in-depth of a restoration that is this F100 Panel Truck, an in-depth paint scheme is just as necessary. What a cool truck to look at!

1949 GMC 3/4 Ton FC152

Woah. We’re on a roll with the outlandish trucks now. This one is as rare as it is fun to stare at. Obviously, the exterior paint scheme is the first thing that stands out (Bronze Firemist), but look deeper at this truck and you’ll see some excellent worksmanship. This truck underwent a four-year, frame-off restoration and the finished product is stunning!

1950 Ford F4 Flatbed

Okay, enough of the crazy stuff – back to the basics. And the basics are beautiful, especially in this 1950 Ford F4 Flatbed. Restored only minimally, mainly the engine and exterior aesthetics, this F4 still has original fenders, hood, doors, cab, running boards and chassis. The aggressive red and black paint scheme look perfect on this machine built for the long haul. We love this restoration job on such a classic truck.

1954 Ford F100

Of all the Ford F100’s on this list, this has to be the most eye-turning paint job. It’s a lot to take in, but once your eyes are adjusted to the orange/red/flame gradient, you’ll begin to notice how well-done this restoration is. But what you won’t notice at first is what this thing is packing under the hood. A massive 468 CID V8 engine with an equally massive blower is engineered to fit under the tilt hood, turning this classic truck into a street racer!

1955 GMC Tow Truck

Here’s a truck to tow all the other trucks on this list. The excellently-done restoration job on this tow-truck makes has turned this work-only into a work-and-play vehicle! The Sky Blue paint job is a classic and an amazing frame-on complete restoration of this truck was carefully performed including the in-line six-cylinder motor. What a beauty!

1965 Chevrolet P10

We have to go out with a bang! Yes, this truck/van is real and yes, it moves. What you’re looking at is a custom Mint Green 1956 Chevrolet P10. It’s quite different than the rest of the trucks on this list, but it’s also one of the most rare. This was definitely created with show in mind, and it does not disappoint. The engine is original but mostly everything else has been retooled one way or another. What a sight!

1930 Ford Model A Fire Truck

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This 1930s restoration was a tribute build to pay homage to the 1930s-era Chicago Fire Department. The engine and drivetrain were re-machined to Ford Specifications for the original 1930 truck. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1957 Chevy Pickup Stepside

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This beauty is powered by a LS2 stroker 406ci aluminum short block, that is mated to a Tremec T-56 six-speed manual transmission. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1957 American LaFrance Fire Truck

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This fire truck is one of only a few left in existence still in great condition. It was only produced between 1956 – 1958. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1959 Chevrolet Apache 31/32

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. this beautiful truck has an inline six-cylinder engine that was rated for 135 horsepower. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1941 Ford COE Truck

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This particular Ford truck is packing a 454 Chevy big-block engine that is fitted with an Edelbrock carburetor and a three-speed transmission. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1962 Chevy E-10 Concept

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This amazing truck is a restored 1962 Chevrolet C-10 that chevy decided to go a little more modern with and put an all electric motor in. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1937 Kenworth Tour Bus

Here is another amazing bus restoration that went better than expected. This restoration was done by Legacy Classic Trucks. Before the restoration is used to transport hotel guests from a local hotel to Mount Rainier National Park. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1936 Ford Custom Pickup

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This old beauty was a fully restored pickup truck with a rebuilt Ford Flathead V8 engine mated to a manual transmission. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1939 Model 260

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This was one of only 15 made that year and is the oldest known operable and complete Peterbilt. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1950 Chevrolet COE

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This beautiful orange COE was restored with a V8 engine under the cab, mated to an automatic transmission that is controlled by a race-inspired shifter. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1930 Chevrolet Universal Truck

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This restoration took 5 years to complete, but it does have matching numbers and show quality paint with minimal body work. It also still has the original six-cylinder engine with minor updates. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

Bright Red Fire Truck

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This restoration is apart of the Wyoming Fire Department’s fleet of fire trucks. It looks like everything has been restored even down to the ladder. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1930 Ford Model A Police Patrol

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This truck was originally built on the mail truck platform until it was transformed into this cool looking police patrol truck. This cool restoration even has the vintage ahooga horn installed. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!

1936 Custom Ford Pickup

Here is another amazing truck restoration that went better than expected. This 12 year restoration has a rebuilt Flathead Mercury V8 with a 6,000rpm limiter chip, Weiland blower and many other performance modifications. If you like that restoration, keep scrolling to see what we have for you next!