6 retro trucks, from classic icons to modern giants

On National Retro Day, we present a compilation of retro trucks ranging from 1940 to 2004.

According to the U.S. national calendar, February 27th is National Retro Day. This date was established by Hermelinda A. Aguilar, Robert, and Tina Duran with the purpose of reminiscing about life before social media, smartphones, and the internet as we know it today. It’s a day to step back in time and look back, remembering a bit of our history.

The dictionary defines the word “retro” as evocative of a past time. Although this definition is somewhat subjective and can vary depending on who you ask, retro can be associated with different eras. For example, for someone born in 1950, their own era wouldn’t be considered retro, while for someone born in the year 2000, it might be. That’s why we present a compilation of retro trucks ranging from 1940 to 2004 to celebrate this day.

Scammel Scarab, 1948-1967

This truck was designed to streamline package delivery in UK cities, replacing horse-drawn messengers. In its early days, it had three wheels. Manufactured between 1948 and 1967 in the UK, it enjoyed great success being used by various companies for their delivery services. Its popularity was such that it was designated as the official vehicle to transport troops to different military bases in the country.

Atkinson L644, 1958

The Atkinson L644 made its debut in 1958 as a modernized goods transport vehicle. One of its innovative features was the incorporation of fiberglass cabins, a novelty at the time. Additionally, it stood out for being the most powerful goods truck available at that time. The Atkinson brand is recognized as one of the best in the field of classic trucks.

Dodge Kew, 1949-1957

This truck gained great popularity in Spain. With changes in infrastructure, such as roads and railways, vehicles also underwent a renewal. It was in this context that vehicles with a more modern design began to arrive from abroad, such as the Dodge Kew. Manufactured between 1949 and 1957, this truck received the nickname “skinny cow” due to the shape of the hood over the engine.

Mercedes-Benz Unimog, 1947-2014

Manufactured from 1947 to 2014, the Unimog stood out as a versatile truck. The early models, post-World War II, were mainly used as agricultural trucks with the additional capacity to function as tractors. Over the decades, the Unimog expanded its field of application, no longer being exclusively agricultural vehicles but also including models for the military, public administration, and camping expeditions in difficult terrain, thanks to its impressive load capacity and off-road capabilities.

Kaiser Jeep M715, 1967-1969

The Kaiser M715 is an iconic vehicle of the 1960s. Originally conceived as a military truck with a capacity of one and a quarter tons, the M715 was inspired by the civilian version of the Jeep Gladiator but with significant improvements. These vehicles had the ability to maneuver through difficult trails like a Jeep but could also reach speeds of up to 55 mph on highways, thanks to their inline six-cylinder engine with overhead camshaft and 231 cubic inches.

International CXT, 2004-2008

The International CXT put an end to the debate over which was the largest truck. Manufactured in 2004, the CXT was a commercial truck weighing 14,500 pounds with four-wheel drive, equipped with a Ford Super Duty cargo box at the rear. It had a payload capacity of up to 12,000 pounds, making it a gigantic truck capable of transporting itself.