What Defines a Classic Truck? 

What is a classic truck or what makes a truck a classic? Well, the “truck” part is easy to define; it’s the “classic” part that tends to get a bit tricky. Good ol’ Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “classic” as something of recognized value serving as a standard of excellence, as well as something historically memorable.

No specific time periods (other than the Greek and Roman eras) are cited for something to be marked as classic.

Therefore, almost any truck model that has made its stamp on automotive and custom history can be considered a classic.

Goodguys show classifications don’t allow post-1972 vehicles to show except at certain events on particular days.

This makes some sense in the car world because many of the big classic cars, hot rods and muscle cars began to fade away in favor of cheap compacts with small engines as the gas crunch of the mid-’70s transformed the automotive and custom industries.

The 1973-87 square-body pickups fall just outside of this year range, but they were nothing like the more common, smaller vehicles introduced during that era and kept many of the classic features of previous trucks.

Many consider these pickups to be classics, and restoration and customization continues to grow with these models.

According to the legal definition used by many states in relation to vehicle registration, a classic vehicle is one that was manufactured more than 20 years at the time of registration.

The most common definition is anything 20 years old or older. My personal definition is similar to ZeGermanHam’s. Something 20 or more years old that had some beauty, style, or significance to it. — Reddit User

So that makes a 1993 Ford Taurus a classic car? Hardly! But the fact that the C/K pickup was first produced 25 years ago and became one of the timeless main-stays of the custom truck scene goes to show that some models that might not be labeled classics right now will surely become classics in the future.

One can certainly call these trucks modern classics or collectibles even though they fall outside of the traditional range.

With overlapping year ranges and varying models, the definition of a classic, in my opinion, should simply be applied to styles.

A truck, no matter the year, if done in a classic, timeless style should be considered a classic truck; if not now, then in the near future.

Many modern vehicles can be done in a classic style that is timeless and might be reminiscent of older truck models.

At the end of the day, building a vehicle you love and enjoy is what it’s all about, whether it’s considered a classic, late model or something in between. ST

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