During the 1920s light duty trucks—commonly known as pickups—became firmly entrenched in American culture. Pickups became an indispensable part of farm life and were commonly used for deliveries in urban areas. In addition, some brave souls began to modify them for camping, anticipating the birth of the recreational vehicle industry. Shown below are some of the pickups from this era which are on display in a number of automobile museums.
1924 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup
This vehicle is on display at LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington. These trucks were available in both electric start and crank start models.
1924 Ford Model TT Truck
This vehicle was outfitted as an RV. It is on display at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
1928 Ford
This vehicle was displayed at the Veterans Car and Motorcycle Show in Vancouver, Washington.
1929 Ford Model A Pickup Truck
This vehicle is on display at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
1929 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup Truck
This vehicle is on display at Chuck’s Produce in Vancouver, Washington.
1929 Model AA 1 Ton
This vehicle is on display at the Classic Car Museum in Bigfork, Montana.
1929 Ford Model A Closed Cab Pickup
This vehicle is on display at the Classic Car Museum in Bigfork, Montana.
1928 Chevrolet
A total of 104,832 were made. This vehicle is on display in the LeMay Family Collection in Tacoma, Washington.
1929 Chevrolet 1-Ton Huckster Truck
The covered wood body is called “Huckster” because of their use by roadside and route-driving entrepreneurs to sell their goods. This vehicle is on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
1923 Dodge Brothers Delivery Van
This vehicle is on display is the LeMay Family Collection in Tacoma, Washington.
1929 Dodge Brothers Truck
This vehicle is on display in the Montana Auto Museum in Deer Lodge, Montana. It sold for $1,330.
1926 International Model SPD ¾-Ton Truck
This vehicle is on display at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.
REO
REO was originally founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1904. REO began building trucks in 1908 and introduced the Speedwagon in 1915 and by 1925 it had become the most produced truck since 1911 with sales over 125,000. Shown below is a 1929 REO 1 ½ Ton Box Truck. This vehicle is on display in the LeMay Family Collection in Tacoma, Washington.
Graham Brothers
The Graham brothers—Ray, Robert, and Joseph—entered the truck body business in 1916. They later began making their own trucks under the Graham Brothers Truck name. By 1921, their trucks had Dodge engines and drivetrains and were sold by Dodge dealers. In 1929, their trucks became Dodge trucks. Shown below is a 1928 Screenside. This vehicle is on display in the LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.
More Vehicles
Museums 101: Ford Trucks in the Classic Auto Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Automobiles of the 1950s (Photo Diary)
Old Cars: The 1920s (Photo Diary)
LeMay Family Collection: Trucks in the White Building (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: "Tools of the Trade" (Automobile Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Trucks in America's Car Museum (Photo Diary)