May 2025: Month in Motoring

Classic Trucks in America, Part 2

With a quick look back at April’s Month in Motoring, we see that without question, trucks are continuing to become real collectibles. Millions were made with the intent of building America. With very little attention paid to their importance, few survived, and only a fraction of those were kept in their original, unaltered condition.

The Opportunity

Is there an opportunity here? Yes. So what do you do?

First, trucks are seeing serious demand in certain regions. If you are in states like Arizona, California, or Texas, you are in the heart of the truck collecting craze. Enough trucks are being collected and restored that truck-only shows are becoming more common. Hearing that trucks are one of the breakout collector vehicles is nothing new in those states.

The opportunity lies in the states that have just begun to pick up the truck bug. You know you’re in one of those states when, at car shows, trucks are becoming more common but not overwhelming. The only way for the popularity here to go is up. And this is where deals can be found.

Something for Everyone

One of the best parts of the classic truck movement is that there is something for everyone. From stock originals from the 1930s to highly modified models from the 2000s, you just must pick what you enjoy. But one thing connecting virtually all trucks is that they are fairly easy to work on, and that is important. Most will require extensive rehabilitation due to the harsh life they have led. But this is another area that has made truck collecting popular—they don’t have to be perfectly restored. Showing battle scars is OK.

Finding Your Dream Truck

Let’s now assume your dream truck is a 1970 F100. It’s a basic truck, and the foundation of the F-series Ford pickup trucks today. A perfect truck for the new collector.

Start With Research

First, look at the internet. Get a good feel for what you want to pay. In ten minutes, you will get a good idea of what an F100 in various conditions will cost you. This information provides you with a basic knowledge of what you should be spending in your area. It will set the mark for what a deal is. Now the fun starts.

Facebook Marketplace

The first, and quickest, is Facebook Marketplace. FBM is a modern-day garage sale. You find professionals selling stuff for business. You find folks selling stuff as a weekend side hustle. And then you find people selling stuff they don’t know what they have, and they need space. Old trucks often fall into that category. This is the seller you want to find. And they are out there.

Start searching locally within 50 miles of your home and expand from there. This is important, especially if you don’t own a trailer. You will need to hire someone to transport it home for you, and that can be expensive.

Hit the Road

Facebook Marketplace is a quick way to look around, but it only provides a fraction of what is available in your area. If you are serious about looking for your dream truck and want a great deal, you need to get off the couch and hit the road.

Most trucks were never kept in a garage and lived their entire life outside. The owner parked their classic truck for the last time outside 20 years ago, and it’s probably still in that same spot today. Finding your dream truck could be as easy as driving around on a Saturday morning, looking down alleys.

Local Repair Shops

Another idea is to stop in local repair shops and tell them what you are looking for. Find one with a few junk cars on their property. Any owner of a tired 1970 F100 is not going to the local dealership. If they need help, they will be looking for a repair shop that is as greasy as their truck!

Classic trucks will always be an important part of American history. And if you are lucky enough to find one, you will be a part of that history as well.

Happy Motoring!