Trucks are a staple on American roads, with the familiar silhouettes of F-series and Dodge Rams defining the landscape. But beyond these well-known models are a few rarities you probably wouldn’t recognize at first glance. These are the rare trucks, made even cooler by their limited production numbers.

From luxury variants like the Lincoln Blackwood to high-performance machines like the GMC Syclone, each of these trucks brings something a little unique to the table. These are the 10 rarest trucks you probably didn’t know existed.

Lincoln Blackwood

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Ever find yourself drawn to a pickup truck? The Lincoln Blackwood might just do that to you. With less than 3,400 units made in its 2002 limited run, this truck rare. The Blackwood combined the comfort of a luxury sedan with the functionality of a pickup. Plush leather seats, wood trim, and a power bed cover were just a few of its features.

Lincoln did it’s best to blend high-end comfort with utility, and they nailed it. The Blackwood came with advanced electronics for its time, like a navigation system and a premium sound system. But let’s be clear, this truck wasn’t meant for heavy lifting.

Subaru BRAT

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The Subaru BRAT, short for Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter, is a classic with a twist. Launched in 1978, this compact truck had a unique feature—jump seats in the bed. This genius design helped it dodge high taxes, classifying it as a “car” rather than a truck. Production ran until 1987, with around 120,000 units made.

Its 4-wheel drive and compact size made it a favorite for off-roaders. Plus, it caught the eye of none other than Ronald Reagan. Finding a BRAT in good condition now is like finding a needle in a haystack.

GMC Syclone

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In 1991, this truck hit the scene and blew everyone away with its insane speed. Packed with a turbocharged V6 engine, the Syclone could leave sports cars eating its dust, hitting 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds.

With a sport-tuned suspension and four-wheel anti-lock brakes, the Syclone handled more like a sports car than a pickup. Its limited production run, with only about 3,000 units ever made, makes it super rare and a hot item for collectors. The truck’s aggressive styling, complete with body cladding and special badging, set it apart from anything else on the road.

Ford SVT Lightning

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The Ford SVT Lightning is a performance powerhouse. With production runs from 1993 to 1995 and again from 1999 to 2004, this truck carved out its niche in the world of high-performance pickups. The second gen, especially, caught attention with its affordable-ish price tag of around $30,000 and crazy speed.

In its first run, about 11,000 units were made, while the second generation saw 20,000 to 25,000 trucks hit the market. Special editions, like the 2003 and 2004 models, offered even more power and refinement. The second-gen Lightning could rocket from zero to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds, putting it on par with some sports cars.

Jeep J10 Honcho

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Forget about ordinary pickups, the Jeep J10 Honcho was built to stand out. This limited edition truck from the late ’70s and early ’80s is a huge collector’s item. Though exact production numbers are hard to pin down, the production run from 1976 to 1983 was definitely low, making this truck a rare find today.

The Honcho is a real Jeep, built for off-roading and tough trails. Owning a J10 Honcho means owning a piece of history from a time when trucks were tools for crazy adventures and fun.

Dodge Ram SRT-10

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The Dodge Ram SRT-10 is a beast that redefined what a pickup could be. Produced from 2004 to 2006, this truck packed an 8.3-liter V10 engine borrowed from the Dodge Viper, cranking out a whopping 500 horsepower. This muscle-bound monster could rocket from 0 to 60 mph in no time, outpacing many sports cars of its era.

With only about 5,000 units made in its first year and fewer in the following years, the SRT-10 is pretty rare. This truck was built for speed with tuned suspension, high-performance brakes, and a sleek design that made it look as sharp as it performed.

Chevrolet SSR

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The Chevrolet SSR, rolling off the line from 2003 to 2006, looks like it came straight out of a sci-fi flick. This thing’s got curves and lines that scream “futuristic,” almost like an alien’s take on a pickup truck. Is that a good thing? It won’t be on our list of best looking trucks, but it does make it an even more unique find.

But don’t be fooled by its looks—under the hood, it’s packing a serious punch. With a beefy V8 engine, the SSR rockets from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. Plus, it’s got a convertible hard top, so you can cruise with the wind in your hair.

This ride was produced in limited numbers, making it a hot commodity among collectors. Just over 24,000 units were built. Its standout design, flashy colors, and special editions make certain models even more desirable.

Mazda Rotary Pickup (REPU)

By Detectandpreserve – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9747647

The Mazda Rotary Pickup, or REPU, is a true gearhead’s dream. Made from 1974 to 1977, this truck is the only one ever to run on a rotary engine—the Mazda 13B. With around 15,000 units produced, the REPU is a rare find. The rotary engine gave this truck some serious pep, offering performance and handling more like a car than a typical pickup.

The REPU’s rotary engine was a game-changer, with a high power-to-weight ratio and smoother operation than standard piston engines. This truck was aimed at a niche market of enthusiasts who appreciated its unique performance. It wasn’t mainstream, and that limited its popularity back in the day.

International Harvester Scout II Terra

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The International Harvester Scout II Terra is a classic from the late ’70s that just screams rugged. Produced from 1976 to 1980, the Terra variant took the Scout II design and stretched the wheelbase, turning it more into a proper pickup. Its short production run means finding one in good condition today is like finding a needle in a haystack.

We don’t have exact numbers on how many were made, but it’s clear these trucks are rare. Built tough to handle rough conditions, the Terra was a favorite of off-roaders.

Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup

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The Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup, or the “Caddy” outside the U.S., is an ’80s icon. Produced from 1980 to 1984, this compact truck was based on the Volkswagen Rabbit. It was small, some might say puny compared to other trucks, but it was incredibly fuel-efficient for its time.

The Rabbit Pickup’s design borrowed heavily from its compact car roots, resulting in a unique, compact truck. Despite its small size, it carved out its own niche. Its short production run means there weren’t that many on the road, even at its peak, making it a rare find today.

Let’s be honest, the Rabbit Pickup wasn’t exactly a powerhouse. Its horsepower was pretty sad (around 74 horsepower), and it was more of an oddball than a workhorse. But it had a certain charm that gave it a cult following.

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Author: Josh Clark

Title: Founder

Expertise: Automotive, Home and Garden, Travel

Josh Clark is a car fanatic and founder of The Bearded Bunch. Give him a free Saturday, and he'll spend the entire day working on his truck and loving every minute of it.

Josh grew up with a dad that also loves cars, so his obsession was woven into his genetics. From maintenance tips to classic cars, Josh covers a number of topics that any gearhead can appreciate.

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