There were some incredible classic cars at Mecum Nashville, but some of my favorites were actually trucks. From a yellow-and-white GMC pickup to a full-size Jeep J10, these five classics caught my attention while walking the auction.
Each had something different going for it: a restoration, familiar period styling, an interior full of character, or the kind of shape that makes you stop and take another look. Here is a closer look at the five vehicles featured in our MakerBuildIt Garage video.
1970 GMC C1500: yellow-and-white classic
First up is a 1970 GMC C1500 that had undergone a frame-off restoration. The yellow-and-white paint combination really stands out, giving this pickup a bright, clean look.
As described in the video, it has a 350 V8 paired with an automatic transmission, along with air conditioning, power brakes, and some modern touches for added comfort. It brings together the appeal of an old-school pickup and features that make time behind the wheel more comfortable.
1978 Ford F-150 Ranger: familiar seventies style
If you grew up in the 1970s or 1980s, this 1978 Ford F-150 Ranger probably looks familiar. Its brown paint with orange-and-gold striping gives it a distinctive period look, and the brown bench-seat interior carries that feel into the cab.
The truck is described with a 351 V8, automatic transmission, and factory air conditioning. In the video, we report that it sold for $17,600.
1979 Ford Bronco: the full-size standout
Technically, this one is not a pickup, but I could not leave it out. The 1979 Ford Bronco has the big, boxy shape of the second-generation Bronco, built on a full-size truck platform.
This example is described with a 351 V8, automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, and a removable hardtop. It clearly caught someone else's attention too: the sale price reported in the video is $49,500.
1972 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT: woodgrain and an 8-track
The 1972 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT brings a different set of details to the lineup. It has a 360 V8, automatic transmission, air conditioning, and plenty of period styling.
My favorite feature might be the factory-style woodgrain interior and the AM/FM 8-track player. Those details give the cab plenty of seventies character. The sale price reported in the video is $23,100.
1984 Jeep J10 pickup: the one that caught my attention
I have a soft spot for old full-size Jeeps, and I have been looking for one myself. That made this 1984 Jeep J10 pickup especially interesting to me.
Finished in almond beige with a nutmeg interior, it has the classic Jeep styling that you do not see very often anymore. The video describes a 360-cubic-inch V8, automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, and locking front hubs. It sold for $23,100, as reported in our walkthrough.
The five classics at a glance
| Vehicle | Engine described in the video | Sale price reported |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 GMC C1500 | 350 V8 | Not stated in the video |
| 1978 Ford F-150 Ranger | 351 V8 | $17,600 |
| 1979 Ford Bronco | 351 V8 | $49,500 |
| 1972 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT | 360 V8 | $23,100 |
| 1984 Jeep J10 pickup | 360 V8 | $23,100 |
These are the sale figures reported in the video for the featured vehicles.
Watch the classic truck walkthrough
Which of these five classics would you put in your garage, and which one looks like the best deal to you? Let us know your pick in the comments.