Skip advert
Advertisement
Features

The world’s craziest pick-up trucks - page 3

From wacky concepts to rare collector cars and ground-shaking monster trucks – the humble pick-up has always inspired enthusiasts willing to take things to extremes…

Isuzu Como F1 Super Truck

Isuzu

Not as practical as many in this list, the Como F1 was a concept designed to help showcase a 3.5-litre 640bhp V12 Formula 1 engine that Japanese firm Isuzu cooked up for a partnership with the Lotus F1 team. Unfortunately the F1 project was scrapped, leaving Isuzu with a redundant engine. That’s when the company’s British designer Simon Cox stepped up to the mark, developing the Como F1 as a ‘super sports pick-up’ able to whisk passengers and luggage to leisure destinations at high speed. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

A mid-engined layout certainly helped with the handling, but compromised the load space more than a little. The four-seat cabin is accessed by scissor-style doors, which along with the swoopy design ensured the Como F1 wowed visitors to the 1991 Tokyo Motor Show.

Chevy SSR

The Chevrolet SSR was a show car turned production pick-up that brought 1950s ‘classic’ styling themes back into fashion between 2004-6, and which was also notable for its retractable folding roof over the two seater cab.

In spite of the success of cars like the Chrysler PT Cruiser introduced in 2000, which had a similarly retro feel, the Chevy SSR pick-up was never a huge seller. It had lots going for it though, including a 5.3 LS2 V8 engine lifted from the Chevrolet Corvette giving most powerful SSR versions an impressive 0-60mph time of just over five seconds.  
 

Dodge D-Series Custom Sports Special

Once the muscle car craze hit America in the 1960s, it wasn’t long before performance pick-up fans were looking for a piece of the action too. Dodge rode to the rescue with a hopped-up version of its D Series workhorse pick-up truck, which it billed as the D Series Custom Sports Special.

Available from 1964 with Chrysler’s 426 cubic inch (7-litre) big block V8 making 365bhp, this ancestor of modern day mega-trucks also featured a twin exhaust system, uprated suspension, sporty gauges, bucket seats and racing stripes.

Read about the ‘indestructible' Toyota Hilux that Top Gear destroyed on page 4… 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Vauxhall Mokka facelift takes the fight to the Ford Puma with £24k starting price
Vauxhall Mokka facelift - front static

New Vauxhall Mokka facelift takes the fight to the Ford Puma with £24k starting price

Vauxhall’s stylish small SUV has been given an interior makeover, bigger screens and a simplified engine line-up
News
6 Nov 2024
Dacia Spring Cargo is a new city slicker electric van for only £13k
Dacia Spring Cargo - front static

Dacia Spring Cargo is a new city slicker electric van for only £13k

The commercial version of Dacia’s cut-price Spring EV ditches the back seats to increase cargo space
News
5 Nov 2024
New Suzuki e Vitara revealed: Japanese brand’s first EV only offers 248-mile range
Suzuki e Vitara reveal - front

New Suzuki e Vitara revealed: Japanese brand’s first EV only offers 248-mile range

The compact Suzuki e Vitara electric SUV will be available with four-wheel drive, and should arrive next summer
News
4 Nov 2024