5 Tennessee Classic Trucks Every Restorer Should Know

Hey y’all, welcome to Tennessee Truck Revival—where we’re bringin’ old rigs back to life with some Volunteer State grit. I’m from Tullahoma, where my great grandfather’s 76 Ford Ranger—two-tone blue and white—ran from his farm in Hurdlow, TN, haulin’ hay other varies farm items. Then there’s the ’83 Dodge three-speed I learned to drive on—grindin’ gears down Highway 55, prayin’ I didn’t pass out from the exhaust, headin’ to Shelbyville. Those trucks lit the spark, and these five Tennessee classics are must-knows for any restorer in 2025. Let’s revive ‘em!

1977 Ford Ranger (F-100/F-150)

My great grandfathers ’76 Ranger was Tullahoma tough—351 V8, ready to tow anything from Winchester to Lynchburg. These fourth-gens are all over Middle TN—$4,000 gets you a fixer-upper. Parts show up at Shelbyville swaps, and they’re risin’—folks say 10% lately. Revive it with an oil filter for the Ford 351 V8 and a tow strap—you’ve got a tow-ready gem.

1969 Chevy C10

The C10’s Tennessee royalty—spotted at Winchester’s Sonic or Tullahoma’s Dairy Queen. That long bed’s built for haulin’ from Shelbyville to the barn, and the 350 purrs like Lynchburg whiskey. Nab one for $5,000, slap on a bedliner spray—it’s a $15,000 revival waitin’ to happen.

1983 Dodge D150

That ’83 Dodge I drove? A Tullahoma beast—took every teenage mistake from here to Winchester. These D-series hide in barns—$3,000 or less, slant-six that keeps on tickin’. Lift it with a Dodge truck lift kit—it’s makin’ a comeback as a Shelbyville mudder.

1972 Ford F-100

Another Ford classic, the ’72 F-100’s got that square-jaw look Middle TN loves—seen rustin’ by Normandy Lake or Lynchburg fields. $4,500 buys in, and the 390 V8 can tow a load from Tullahoma to Winchester easy. Prices are climbin’—hit it with rust remover for a revival worth the wrench time.

1966 Chevy K10

For hill-country haulin’, the K10’s your pick—four-wheel drive, short bed, 327 V8. Made for tow calls on AEDC backroads or pullin’ wrecks near Lynchburg. They’re $6,000 rough, but a clean revival hits $20,000+. Upgrade with a tow hitch—hunt ‘em toward Shelbyville.

These rigs are Tennessee to the core—built for tow jobs, farm work, and cruisin’. I’ve hauled my share around Tullahoma and beyond, and they’ve got stories worth revivin’. Got a truck tale from Winchester or Shelbyville? Tell me—I’m listenin’. Next up, I’ll spill how Great-Grandpa kept that ’76 Ranger tow-ready cheap. Stick with Tennessee Truck Revival—where old trucks roar again!

This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you purchase through them