13 Worst Pickup Trucks Nobody Wants Back From The 1950’s

Explore the 13 worst pickup trucks from the 1950s that have become infamous for their flaws. Discover why these models are considered undesirable in today’s market.

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The 1950s marked a pivotal era in the automotive industry, particularly for pickup trucks. While many models showcased innovative designs and features, others fell short of expectations, leading to their infamous reputations. This article highlights the 13 worst pickup trucks from the 1950s that have become automotive legends for all the wrong reasons.

13. 1951 Willys Pickup – Exterior

Image: Dyler

The 1951 Willys Pickup is often regarded as one of the least desirable trucks of the 1950s. Produced by Willys Overland Motors, this model aimed to transition from military to civilian use post-World War II. However, its boxy design and lackluster performance left much to be desired. The truck featured a 2.2 L inline 4 engine, known as the “Go Devil,” which produced a mere 63 horsepower. This underwhelming power made it unsuitable for heavy hauling and towing, especially as the market evolved with more powerful options.

1951 Willys Pickup

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Despite its ruggedness and advanced four-wheel drive system for its time, the Willys Pickup struggled to compete against more modern and stylish vehicles. Its utilitarian design prioritized function over aesthetics, which ultimately contributed to its poor reception among consumers.

12. 1955 Dodge C Series – Exterior

Image: Pixels

The 1955 Dodge C Series is often remembered for its unappealing design and lack of charm. Chrysler Corporation introduced this model as an upgrade from the Dodge B series, but it failed to win over buyers. The flat front end and bulky proportions were considered unattractive, despite the addition of a wraparound windshield that improved visibility.

1955 Dodge C Series

Image: Pin Page

Engine options included a 3.8 L inline 6 and a 5.2 L V8, providing decent performance. However, the design flaws overshadowed these capabilities, making the C Series one of the least appealing pickups of the decade. The standard three-speed manual transmission did not offer the smoothness found in competing vehicles, further diminishing its appeal.

11. 1958 Chevrolet Apache 31 – Exterior

Image: Classic Cars Ltd

The 1958 Chevrolet Apache 31 is often remembered for its bold yet polarizing design. Part of Chevrolet’s Task Force Series, the Apache featured a distinctive front end with quad headlights and a wide angular grill. While it introduced the fleet side bed for more cargo space, its aesthetic flaws overshadowed its mechanical capabilities.

1958 Chevrolet Apache 31

Image: Classic Cars Ltd

Available with several engine options, including a 3.8 L inline 6 and a 4.6 L V8, the Apache 31 produced respectable horsepower. However, the awkward design and oversized front end made it less appealing in a rapidly evolving market that favored more stylish options. Despite its potential, the Apache 31 is considered one of the worst pickups of the 1950s.

10. 1959 GMC 100 – Exterior

Image: RK Motors

The 1959 GMC 100 aimed to introduce futuristic styling but ended up with a design that many found unattractive. This model was part of GMC’s forward-look design era, marked by significant changes in automotive aesthetics. The large angular front grill and bulky proportions made it stand out, but not in a good way.

1959 GMC 100

Image: RK Motors

Engine options included a 4.4 L inline 6 and a 5.5 L V8, providing decent power. However, the awkward design and lack of appeal led to its classification as one of the worst pickups of the decade. The wraparound windshield, while innovative, could not compensate for the overall unattractiveness of the truck.

9. 1953 Studebaker 2R – Exterior

Image: Myrideisme

The 1953 Studebaker 2R series was part of Studebaker’s post-war effort to capture the light and medium-duty truck market. While it introduced several innovative features, such as a streamlined design and a one-piece windshield, it faced significant challenges. The build quality was inconsistent, leading to reliability issues, and the engines were underpowered compared to competitors.

1953 Studebaker 2R

Image: Myrideisme.

Despite its modern design, the 2R series did not appeal to all buyers. The combination of underwhelming performance and inconsistent build quality contributed to its poor reputation, making it one of the less desirable pickups of the 1950s.

8. 1956 International Harvester S Series – Exterior

Image: Flickr

The 1956 International Harvester S Series was introduced as a successor to the R series, aiming to modernize its light-duty truck lineup. While it featured a more modern front fascia and brought four-wheel drive to light-duty trucks, it retained a rugged look that did not resonate with all consumers.

1956 International Harvester S Series

Image: Bring a Trailer

Equipped with a 240 cubic inch inline 6 engine producing around 115 horsepower, the S Series faced challenges due to its modest power and build quality issues. Prone to rust and mechanical problems, the S Series quickly became overshadowed by the introduction of the A series in 1957, leading to its classification as one of the less desirable pickups of the era.

7. 1951 Ford F1 – Exterior

Image: Richmonds

The 1951 Ford F1 marked the end of its generation, representing Ford’s shift to a dedicated truck chassis. While it introduced several unique features, such as a wood box floor and a five-star extra cab option, it faced significant shortcomings. The inline 6 engine was often seen as underpowered, and the flathead V8 was becoming outdated.

1951 Ford F1

Image: Richmonds

Inconsistent build quality led to frequent mechanical problems, contributing to the perception of the 1951 F1 as less desirable. The introduction of the second-generation F-series in 1953 further overshadowed these models, making them less favorable in the eyes of consumers.

6. 1955 Chevrolet Task Force – Exterior

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The 1955 Chevrolet Task Force was notable for its modern design and technical advancements. However, it faced several issues that made it less desirable. The V8 engine was prone to overheating, and the truck’s suspension was criticized for being too stiff, leading to an uncomfortable ride.

1955 Chevrolet Task Force

Image: autoevolution

Despite its innovative features, such as factory-installed four-wheel drive and two-tone paint options, the Task Force series struggled with build quality issues. Many owners reported problems with body integrity, preventing it from achieving greater popularity among truck enthusiasts.

5. 1958 Dodge Power Wagon – Exterior

Image: Hemmings

The 1958 Dodge Power Wagon was known for its rugged design and off-road capabilities. However, it faced significant drawbacks, including an underpowered engine and a heavy, cumbersome build. The Flathead inline six engine produced around 105 horsepower, which was considered inadequate compared to contemporary V8 engines.

1958 Dodge Power Wagon

Image: Hemmings

The lack of comfort features and a stiff suspension made it an uncomfortable ride for daily use. These factors combined to make the 1958 Dodge Power Wagon less appealing to consumers looking for a practical and comfortable vehicle.

4. 1954 International Harvester R110

Image: Jeff Potter

The 1954 International Harvester R110 was designed for personal and small business use. While it had a unique grill design and was known for its ruggedness, it faced stiff competition from Ford and Chevrolet. The 3.6 L inline 6 engine produced 100 horsepower, which was adequate but fell short compared to competitors.

1954 International Harvester R110

Image: Classic Cars

The manual transmission was seen as outdated, and the lack of modern amenities contributed to the decline in the R110’s popularity. These factors made it less appealing for tasks requiring more power for towing or hauling.

3. 1955 Ford F100

Image: RK Motors

The 1955 Ford F100 featured significant upgrades in design and function, but it gained a reputation for poor fuel efficiency. The powerful V8 engines were known for high fuel consumption, which was a significant disadvantage during a time when fuel economy was becoming increasingly important.

1955 Ford F100

Image: RK Motors

Additionally, the truck’s suspension system was criticized for providing a rough ride compared to its competitors. These issues, along with a relatively high price, made the F100 less attractive to buyers seeking a practical and economical pickup truck.

2. 1958 Chevrolet Viking

Image: Autohunter

The 1958 Chevrolet Viking was designed for medium-duty work and stood out for its strong chassis and higher payload capacity. However, it faced reliability issues with its braking system, which frequently failed under heavy loads. This safety concern made the Viking less popular among those needing a dependable truck for demanding tasks.

1958 Chevrolet Viking

Image: Autohunter

Despite its unique features and engine options, including a 4.3 L inline 6 and a 4.6 L V8, the Viking’s reputation suffered due to its unreliable braking system. This ultimately overshadowed its strengths, leading to its classification as one of the worst pickups of the era.

1. 1958 Dodge D100

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The 1958 Dodge D100 was known for its sturdy design and powerful engine options. However, it faced significant drawbacks, including poor fuel efficiency. The 3.9 L Flathead inline 6 engine produced about 120 horsepower, but its fuel economy was disappointing, particularly at a time when efficiency was becoming increasingly important to buyers.

1958 Dodge D100

Image: Devianart

The combination of its heavy weight and relatively ineffective engine led to higher operating costs, discouraging many potential customers. Despite its rugged design, the D100’s fuel efficiency issues ultimately made it less appealing in the competitive pickup market of the 1950s.

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