Car enthusiasts often find themselves drawn to the most unusual and eccentric vehicles they can acquire. People naturally enjoy owning something rare or distinctive.
When it comes to automobiles, unconventional designs tend to command attention, particularly at car shows. However, many of these unique models are often underappreciated during their production years.
Still, nearly every car ever built manages to attract a certain group of dedicated fans, even if it was a commercial failure.
From Edsels to AMC Pacers, a wide range of once-overlooked vehicles have gained value among enthusiasts who see appeal in models that were largely dismissed when they were new.
That being said, the pickup truck market has traditionally been less welcoming to unusual designs. While sports cars and sedans can afford to experiment with aesthetics and impractical features, pickups are primarily expected to be functional.
As a result, most follow a conventional blueprint: a body-on-frame construction, a spacious cabin, and a bed designed for hauling substantial loads.
Since practicality is a priority in this segment, many of the more unconventional truck designs never gained widespread popularity whether due to an overly sporty and impractical approach or because they were built on a poorly suited platform.
While not all of these trucks were failures or inherently bad, they never had a real shot at outselling the F-150.
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10. Mazda REPU
If you’re in the market for a new pickup today, your options are limited to just five manufacturers. However, there was a time when another automaker offered trucks in the U.S.: Mazda.
In addition to selling its own B-Series pickups, Mazda was also responsible for producing the Ford Courier, the predecessor to the Ranger.
Throughout its history of building pickups, Mazda typically didn’t create anything particularly groundbreaking except for one notable exception.
While most compact trucks rely on either a four-cylinder or a V6 engine, Mazda introduced a special version of the B-Series known as the “REPU,” which was equipped with a 1.3-liter rotary engine.
Mazda was evidently proud of this unique powertrain choice, as the REPU prominently featured the words “Rotary Power” on its tailgate.
From a modern standpoint, fitting a rotary engine into a pickup seems like an unusual decision, given the engine’s low torque output and relatively poor fuel economy for its displacement.
However, when the REPU debuted in the mid-1970s, many conventional engines were being hindered by new emissions regulations.
In this context, the REPU’s 110-horsepower rating was quite impressive compared to other four-cylinder and V6 engines of the era.
Despite this, the model never gained mainstream popularity, and all subsequent Mazda trucks returned to using conventional piston engines.
9. Subaru Baja
Although utes remain incredibly popular in Australia, the American market largely moved on from them after the 1980s. As a result, a niche group of enthusiasts emerged those who wanted the practicality of a pickup bed but preferred it attached to a car-sized platform.
One of the biggest challenges with such vehicles has always been the cab design. Today, full-size pickups are almost exclusively sold in crew-cab configurations, as most buyers are unwilling to sacrifice rear seating in exchange for a larger bed.
This preference has likely deterred automakers from reintroducing models like the El Camino and Ranchero. However, Subaru, known for its unconventional approach to vehicle design, attempted to solve this issue in its own way.
Using the Outback as a foundation, Subaru developed the Baja a four-door car with a small truck bed positioned behind the rear seats.
Like most Subarus from the early 2000s, the Baja came standard with all-wheel drive and boasted bold styling, especially in the striking two-tone yellow and silver color scheme.
It even featured a roll bar to enhance its rugged appearance. For those seeking extra power, Subaru also offered the Baja with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Despite its unique appeal, the Baja was discontinued after the 2006 model year, once again leaving the U.S. market without a car-based pickup option.
8. Mini Pickup
Buyers of full-size trucks often prefer their vehicles to be as large as possible provided they can still fit into a parking space.
Even today’s so-called compact pickups, such as the Toyota Tacoma and GMC Canyon, have grown significantly, now appearing taller than full-size trucks from just a decade ago.
In the past, truly small pickups had clear advantages over their larger counterparts, though they came with the trade-off of a reduced payload capacity.
While many compact pickups were relatively small, few could match the diminutive size of the Mini Pickup.The original Mini is beloved for several reasons, including its fuel efficiency, compact dimensions, and fun driving dynamics.
However, spaciousness and cargo capacity are not among its strong suits. This makes converting a vehicle literally named “Mini” into a pickup an unusual decision.
British Leyland seemingly modified one of their van-based Mini models by simply removing the roof without much refinement, resulting in a rather abrupt roofline.
Measuring just 4.5 feet in width and featuring a short wheelbase, the Mini Pickup’s bed was never intended for carrying substantial loads likely a good thing, considering the vehicle’s meager output of around 60 horsepower.
While it may not be the most capable truck, it certainly has the potential to be transformed into a uniquely fun track vehicle.
7. Ford Falcon Ute
Although car-based utes have largely disappeared from both the American and Australian markets, both countries once offered exciting and distinctive versions of these vehicles.
In Australia, buyers had two main choices: the Holden Ute or the Ford Falcon Ute. To compete with the high-performance HSV Maloo, Ford offered the Falcon with a potent V8 under the hood as part of its FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles) lineup.
One of the most notable iterations was the final-edition FPV Pursuit Ute.It was powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter engine that produced over 420 horsepower an immense amount of power for a vehicle with little weight over the rear wheels.
Adding to its appeal, the Pursuit Ute could also be equipped with a manual transmission. While the Pursuit served as an impressive farewell to the Falcon Ute nameplate, there were several other noteworthy versions of this vehicle.
For those who appreciate rarity, the Falcon Ute could also be configured with a 4.0-liter straight-six and a flatbed two options that have become increasingly uncommon in the modern automotive industry.
Additionally, for drivers seeking more power without upgrading to a V8, Ford offered a turbocharged variant of the straight-six. It’s unfortunate that these vehicles have been discontinued, as few markets outside Australia ever had the chance to experience them.
6. Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Pickup
Most classic cars are remembered for their excellence, as people tend to reflect on the best aspects of the past. However, there are also a few automotive missteps that enthusiasts never forget.
Unfortunately, the Corvair falls into the latter category, largely due to its association with Unsafe at Any Speed, a book that highlighted safety concerns or the lack thereof in automobile design.
This notoriety often overshadows the Corvair’s innovative engineering and forward-thinking approach. The rear-engine family car was available in an unexpectedly diverse range of body styles.
In addition to the standard sedans and convertibles, Chevrolet also introduced the Greenbrier van variant. This version came in multiple configurations, including a unique two-door pickup model.
The Greenbrier pickup deviated significantly from conventional truck designs in several ways.
Unlike Volkswagen’s Type 2 truck, Chevrolet opted to lower the bed floor as much as possible, which resulted in a midsection sitting lower than usual, while the rear portion of the bed was elevated to accommodate the rear axle and engine.
To enhance usability, the side of the bed could be lowered and transformed into a ramp, making it far easier to load cargo.
While this approach was a clever attempt to create a more practical pickup, the Greenbrier truck was discontinued a few years before the Corvair itself was phased out.
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5. International CXT
It’s no secret that pickup trucks have been steadily increasing in size over the years. Despite rising fuel economy regulations and stricter emissions standards, American buyers continue to favor massive trucks, regardless of fuel efficiency or how challenging they may be to park.
This shift in design philosophy reflects the preferences of modern truck owners, many of whom seem more interested in sitting behind the wheel of the biggest vehicle they can afford rather than prioritizing practicality.
Given how cumbersome it can be to load cargo into a chest-high truck bed, it’s evident that ease of use has become secondary to sheer size. Perhaps no truck exemplifies this trend better than the International CXT.
Leveraging its expertise in semi-truck manufacturing, International decided to produce a consumer-grade pickup based on a commercial truck platform.
Built on a heavy-duty chassis and powered by a robust diesel engine, the CXT was one of the most capable pickups ever made while also being one of the heaviest, tipping the scales at an astonishing 14,500 pounds.
However, its sheer size ultimately revealed its primary purpose: to be the biggest thing on the road. The massive proportions placed the Ford Super Duty-sourced bed several feet off the ground, making it highly impractical for actual utility.
The CXT’s short production run and International’s eventual exit from the pickup truck market demonstrated that, in some cases, even America has a limit on how big a truck can be.
4. Dodge A100
Traditionally, full-size American vans have shared strong connections with their pickup counterparts, a logical relationship given that both vehicle types are often used for similar purposes.
However, with advancements in fuel efficiency and improvements in small-displacement engines, many of these large American vans have disappeared from the market, replaced by more maneuverable, spacious, and efficient European-style vans.
Back in the 1960s, Dodge took this connection between trucks and vans even further with the introduction of the A100. Originally designed as a standard flat-nosed van typical of the era, the A100 set itself apart from competitors with the addition of a pickup variant.
This design was fairly straightforward, as Dodge essentially removed the rear section of the van’s roof, creating a functional cargo bed in its place.
Due to its cab-over-engine design, which positioned passengers directly over the front wheels, the A100 was remarkably compact.
Ultimately, the A100 was intended to serve as a light-duty alternative to Dodge’s traditional pickups, as it was only available with either a slant-six engine or a small-block V8 unlike the full-size Dodge trucks, which could be equipped with big-block V8s.
Despite its limitations in capability, the A100 has developed a dedicated following, largely thanks to its distinctive and unconventional appearance.
3. Subaru 360 Sambar
During the 1960s, Subaru developed a vehicle that shared several similarities with the Volkswagen Beetle. Like the Beetle, it was a small, rounded car with a rear-mounted engine, designed with affordability and practicality in mind.
This model, known as the 360, turned out to be a commercial failure at least in the United States. Compared to the Beetle, it was even smaller, which was problematic in a market dominated by massive, full-sized American cars.
With a top speed of just 60 miles per hour and a reputation for being unsafe, the 360 struggled to attract American buyers.
A notable variation of this model was the “Sambar,” a compact, flat-nosed van and pickup truck. Unfortunately, the Sambar did little to improve upon the 360’s performance, as it was still powered by a 20-horsepower engine.
However, in van form, it made much better use of its limited space. As a pickup, though, it suffered from the same issue as the Corvair Greenbrier the center portion of the bed sat noticeably lower than the rear section, which had to be elevated to accommodate the rear-mounted engine.
While a truck with just 20 horsepower and minimal cargo space might seem impractical, the Sambar was designed for Japan’s narrow streets and strict Kei car regulations, a role it fulfilled effectively.
2. Lincoln Blackwood
Luxury pickups have become a standard part of the automotive landscape. With high-end models like the GMC Sierra Denali, Ram Limited, and F-150 Platinum, it’s clear that many buyers are willing to pay a premium for a truck that blends utility with opulent interiors and chrome accents.
However, one of the more unusual aspects of this segment is the absence of luxury-branded pickups. While customers have no issue spending upwards of $80,000 on a Ford-badged truck, Lincoln currently does not offer a pickup model.
Interestingly, while such an idea might be successful today, Lincoln discovered the hard way in the early 2000s that the market wasn’t ready for a high-end luxury truck.
In an attempt to create the first luxury pickup, Lincoln introduced the Blackwood, essentially an F-150 with a Navigator-inspired front end, a lavish leather-clad interior, and a highly unorthodox bed design.
Instead of a traditional tailgate, the Blackwood featured barn-style doors and a factory-installed tonneau cover. When opened, the bed revealed a nearly useless carpeted cargo area.
Adding to its odd design choices, the truck’s exterior featured a faux wood-lined bed, a decision that did little to enhance its appeal.
With its impracticality and strange styling, the Blackwood was a complete failure, leading to its discontinuation after just a single year of production.
1. Mercedes-Benz Unimog
In the United States, Mercedes-Benz is primarily known as a luxury brand, associated with high-end sedans and SUVs.
However, in its home country of Germany, the automaker is also recognized for producing a range of rugged, utilitarian vehicles.
For example, the G-Wagen is considered a luxury SUV in the U.S., but in its most basic form, it serves as a stripped-down off-road machine, much like Germany’s answer to the Jeep Wrangler.
Likewise, the Sprinter van, sold under the Dodge and Freightliner brands in the U.S., is a practical and versatile work vehicle built by the same company that manufactures the prestigious S-Class.
However, one of the most unusual vehicles in Mercedes-Benz’s lineup is the Unimog.
This massive vehicle is best described as a hybrid between a tractor and a military truck. The Unimog is available in various configurations, including a pickup variant.
While it isn’t particularly long or wide, its towering height makes it a truly imposing machine. The truck’s elevated stance is necessary to accommodate its enormous tractor-like tires, which contribute to its off-road capabilities.
Despite its intimidating size, every aspect of its design serves a functional purpose. Its bulk allows it to carry heavy loads or be adapted for specialized applications, while its high ground clearance enables it to traverse nearly any terrain.
Given its sheer scale, luxury versions of the Unimog have also been produced most notably, the Brabus Unimog, a special edition created by a company renowned for transforming Mercedes vehicles into high-performance, extravagant machines.
