1979-1984 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup
In the ’70s, thousands of compact trucks a year were still being scooped up by Americans, and Volkswagen wanted in on the action. The outcome was the strange Rabbit Pickup, largely based on Golf mechanicals, a compact, American-built unibody truck. After 1984, the Rabbit Pickup was discontinued in the U.S., but its compact size and reliability kept it in production until 1992 in Europe. By swapping out the initial 1.5-liter diesel or 1.7-liter gas engines for power plants, transmissions, suspensions, and trim from a Mk, modern customizers have done great things.
1979-1984 Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup
Chevrolet Cameo
In the 1950s, thinking of a pickup as anything more than a bare-bones workhorse was a radical idea. But in 1955, Chevy introduced the Cameo Carrier, a beautifully styled, fast, comfortable pickup designed not just for work, but to be driven and enjoyed. It was distinguished from any truck on the market by things such as full-hubcaps, chrome trim, carpeting and a radio, a slab-sided bed, and powerful engine options. But the Cameo was doomed by a high price and increasing competition despite strong initial sales, and it was gone after 1958.
Chevrolet Cameo