Still Hammerin’
InTheGarageMedia.com
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BY ROB FORTIER
What Constitutes a “Classic Truck”?
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oesn’t seem like it was that long ago when categorizing a “classic truck” was simple: a pre-’70s/post-’30s domestic truck, right? OK, that may have been way back in the ’90s, but still … the definition was pretty cut and dry!

Here in 2023, with that classic truck cutoff clear up past the time period I was just reflecting on (1998), things aren’t so cut and dry—not by a long shot! But above and beyond the year break, the real so-called dilemma lies in the vehicle itself: How far above and beyond the presence of an actual truck bed still qualifies a vehicle as a classic truck?

So, we obviously agree (or at least I’m assuming so) that Suburbans and Blazers fit the description, but what about Ford Broncos? I’ve been asked on multiple occasions why CTP doesn’t feature early Broncos (a true predecessor to the modern SUV), and, up until now, I’ve simply shied away due to them having their own following, so to speak … but that may change here real soon. Now that we’re delving more into the off-road/4×4 realm, it would only seem natural that we include them, right?

Picture of a black car in the forest
OK what about the “oddballs”? I’m referring to the not-as-common Willys-Jeep wagons, the International Travelall and Wagonmaster, and even Dodge Ramchargers? Being “all inclusive” in this day and age also applies to the world of classic trucks, but even so, to be perfectly honest, all the above are cool as hell and need a periodical home just as much as the popular Chevys and Fords! So, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” I see no reason not to include those so-called oddballs.

But—and this is a rather big but—how about the vans? Do the Ford Econolines, Chevy/GMC G-Series, and Dodge D-Series/Sportsman/Tradesman vans fit within the confines of a classic truck, and subsequently, upon the pages of CTP? (OK, we admittedly blew that one out of the water, so to speak, with the Goolsby-built ’69 Dodge … but did we go too far?!)

However, when it comes to the technical aspects as they apply to the how-to articles we feature, well, that may be a different story, ultimately. That said, however, I can tell you that we do have some very interesting buildup in store from Old Anvil Speed Shop on their current International Harvester truck, as well as one mean-old Willys wagon they’re putting the finishing touches on!

In the meantime, of course, I want to hear your thoughts, opinions, and whatnot on the topic at hand: What is a classic truck? Email’s above … let’s hear it!

Stay tuned—plenty of good stuff in store!