Since the birth of the automobile, engineers have sought a way to efficiently transfer power to the ground in challenging terrain. Ferdinand Porsche designed the Lohner automobile in 1889 with a gasoline-powered engine driving a generator, which provided power to electric hubs at each of the four wheels. The first four-wheel-drive vehicles were patented in 1893 by British engineer Bramah Joseph Diplock and were essentially road-going steam-engine locomotives specifically designed to haul heavy loads. In 1903, Dutch brothers Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker created the first six-cylinder, internal-combustion-engine-powered four-wheel-drive vehicle for the Paris to Madrid race.

America entered the four-wheel-drive market in 1906, when the Twyford Company built only six vehicles. Shortly after, the Four-Wheel Drive auto company from Wisconsin began production of Model-B trucks to be supplied to American and British armies during the First World War. Henry Ford took notice of a pickup truck design being used by the military and incorporated the design in special Model-T vehicles as the first civilian pickup trucks. The wartime usage of these vehicles made it evident that future off-road vehicles would need to be increasingly rugged, lightweight, and highly maneuverable for reconnaissance and messaging missions. Ford, American-Bantam, and Willy’s took on the challenge, and the resulting quarter-ton wartime vehicle would eventually become the iconic Jeep.

The ever-capable truck platform has grown and evolved to the trucks of today—rugged, refined, and more luxurious, with a multitude of variations to accommodate the public’s wants and needs. At RM Auctions Auburn Spring collector car auction, over 200 vehicles will be offered, including examples of the beloved truck platform.

Scroll down to explore 10 collectible trucks offered during RM Auctions’ four-day sale.

1913 Ford Model T C Cab Truck

Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000 USD | Offered Without Reserve

A lovely example of a Brass Era pickup truck, this Model T Cab truck features a 176-cubic-inch four-cylinder engine mated to a two-speed planetary transmission.

1926 REO Model G Speed Wagon Delivery Truck

Estimate: $25,000 - $35,000 USD

A rare example of a light truck built by the REO Motor Company of Lansing, Michigan. It was based on a completely original chassis and powered by the robust Gold Crown six-cylinder engine. It has been fully restored and features a well-finished upright wooden cab and large wooden truck bed with attractive pinstriping.

1930 Ford Model A “Wrecker” Convertible Tow Truck

Estimate: $45,000 - $55,000 USD

The period-correct decals and lettering pay tribute to the Standard Oil company and features an operable Weaver hand-crank two-speed boom, a folding roadster top with collapsible light bar, and a 40 horsepower L-head inline four-cylinder engine with three-speed transmission.

1946 Chevrolet Pickup

Estimate: $25,000 - $30,000 USD

Benefitting from a complete nut-and-bolt restoration, this example is finished in a beautiful two-tone Beige and Dark Green color combination with wood bed and is powered by a 215-cubic-inch inline six-cylinder engine mated to a three-speed manual transmission.

1959 Ford Ranchero

Estimate: $20,000 - $25,000 USD

The Ranchero was adapted from a two-door station wagon, integrating the cab and bed into the body, unlike a traditional pickup truck, where the cab and bed are mounted individually on the frame.

1959 Volkswagen Single-Cab Pickup Custom

Estimate: $22,000 - $28,000 USD

A rare example of VW’s single-cab pickup with custom touches. The fold-down bed sides have been removed and replaced with an overhead roof rack, the suspension lowered, and aluminum wheels have been added. It features fold-out front windshields, vintage Coca-Cola cooler and luggage, and custom wood door panels to contrast the exterior patina.

1966 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

Estimate: $40,000 - $45,000 USD

This highly original example has been restored to a high level and is finished in Spring Green over Salmon interior. It features a 125-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine with a three-speed manual transmission with part-time four-wheel-drive.

1968 Ford Bronco

Estimate: $42,000 - $48,000 USD

Introduced to compete with the popular Jeep CJ-5 and International Scout, the first-generation Bronco was offered in a two-door wagon and half-cab pickup configuration. This example has undergone a complete body-off restoration and features a 289-cubic-inch V-8 with a mild cam for additional power.

1969 GMC Pickup Custom

Estimate: $25,000 - $30,000 USD

An excellent restored example of GMC’s late ’60s full-size pickup, featuring a wood bed with chrome slats, roll-up tonneau cover, power steering and brakes, and a powerful inline six-cylinder engine with automatic transmission.

1990 Toyota HZJ75 Land Cruiser

Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000 USD