Many of the rarest and most expensive vehicles of all time are actually pickup trucks. From classic muscle trucks to exotic supertrucks, here are five standouts.
1978 Dodge MidniteExpress
Dodge has built some of the most memorable special edition trucks in history. Decades before the Ram 1500 TRX, Dodge’s “Lil’ Red Express” was THE muscle truck to beat. But the factory-built special edition was too loud to sell in several states. Dodge developed a dealership-built special edition for those states, the 1978-only “Midnite Express.”
The ultra-rare Midnite Express was painted black, instead of red like the Lil’ Red Express. It had a wood-paneled bed, pinstriped doors, and special exhaust stacks. Most Midnite Express trucks feature the legendary 440 cubic-inch HEMI V8. Rumor has it that production never exceeded 200 units.
Want to see another Dodge special edition? Check out the Power Wagon Macho Edition.
1986-1993 Lamborghini LM002
Lamborghini LM002 | Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
In the late 1970s, Lamborghini began to court the U.S. military by developing a light-duty off-road vehicle. The Italian company built two rear-engine 4x4s powered by American V8s before realizing it was not cut out for military life. But it recycled some of the design into a front-engine, V12-powered Lamborghini truck: the LM002.
The luxury brand built 328 LM002 trucks before it ceased production in the 1980s. Most had the Countach’s 5.2-liter V12, but some came with a 7.2-liter variation Lamborghini sold for boats. Luckily this thirsty truck also had a 45-gallon gas tank. Even rarer special editions include an LM002 “estate” SUV built for the Sultan of Brunei and a stripped-down rally truck.
Read about the fight to keep the Lamborghini V12 in the face of Europe’s combustion ban.
1991 Ford Skyranger
This #Ford Skyranger Convertible is a rare pickup truck http://t.co/YoWdK7fzvh pic.twitter.com/S4VhPi5Mlf
— autoevolution (@_autoevolution_) June 1, 2015
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, convertible pickup trucks had a brief moment in the sun. Examples include the Chevrolet SSR and the Dodge Dakota Sport Convertible. Not to be left out, Ford hired the American Sunroof Company to build a convertible Ranger, and the SkyRanger limited edition truck was born.
Every Ford SkyRanger began life as an extended-cab 1991 Ford Ranger. It had AWD and a 4.0-liter V6. The American Sunroof Company then chopped off its hardtop and replaced it with a removable Targa top. Unfortunately, the project did not last long and Ford only sold somewhere between 17 and 18 SkyRanger trucks.
2006 Chevrolet Silverado Intimidator SS
Chevrolet built a series of special editions to commemorate NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Senior. The culmination of this series was the 2006 Chevy Silverado Intimidator SS.
To build these trucks, Chevy lowered the Silverado, stiffened its suspension, and added Tenneco shock absorbers. The truck also enjoyed visual upgrades such as a tailgate spoiler, silver grille, and embroidered headrests. General Motors made less than 1,000 of these special Silverados, and the unique truck is a rare sight today.
2013-2015 Mercedes-AMG G 63 by Brabus
Today, several custom exotic car companies stretch trucks into apocalypse-ready 6×6 vehicles. But it was Mercedes-AMG’s unprecedented G 63 that kicked off the trend. AMG set a G Wagon and truck bed on three Unimog portal axles to create one of the most capable off-roaders of all time.
Mercedes built over 100 AMG 6×6 trucks but stopped production after two years. Today, these trucks command a high price tag. But 6×6 owners looking for an even more exclusive vehicle can opt for the Brabus edition. The German tuning house takes a standard 6×6, upgrade its engine and turbochargers, and transform it into a 700 horsepower monster. The result is one of the most exclusive and recognizable vehicles in the world.
Read about the most expensive supertrucks currently available or see 10 unusual historical pickup trucks in the video below:
Keyword: 5 of the Rarest and Most Expensive Trucks of All Time