Minneapolis Street Sighting: Dodge D-Series pickup

Pickup trucks have long been the workhorse of America. From farms, to big cities, to everything in between, the pickup represents the vehicle of choice for many hard-working folks. So why aren't more classic trucks still alive and kicking? Hard lives--that's why. On the west coast, classic pickups are the norm, and are almost seen more-so than their new counterparts. Here in the rustbelt, quite the opposite is true. For every classic truck I see, about 10 or 12 new ones go by--if not more. While it's true that currently GM, Ford and Dodge are quite big players in the truck industry, that wasn't always the case. I seldom see pre-1980 Dodges here in the Midwest, and this rather rough example is likely as nice as they're gonna get out my way.














I'm horrible at identifying older pickups--much less the models which have no clear ID-guide. I'd wager that this particular Dodge is probably a late 1960s, or early 1970s model. It's definitely a pre-1972, I know that much. I hardly ever see these, even in Kansas, so seeing one up here was definitely a treat for my eyes.
It's rusty, most of the trim is far from perfect, and the poverty caps are quite dented--and that's why I adore this truck. Classic trucks are nice when they're pristine, yes, but evoke such a dear sense of emotion when used like they're supposed to be. It's clear that one look at this old workhorse shows how much it means to the owner. The missing tailgate normally would signify a trip to the junkyard. Not here, though. Here, it lets onlookers know that this Dodge means business. From the worn down paint to the tattered chrome, its certain that this old Dodge isn't done yet. I saw it a day or two after shooting it--getting wood and pulling a trailer.
After nearly forty years of hard work, whose to say this old boy should give up now? Obviously the owner has other ideas. If I've ever known one thing for certain in my years of spotting and shooting its that these old pickups don't go down easy. The amount of post '72 Dodges still on the road is testament to that theory. Now, lets just hope this one is the first to break the mold, and let the older trucks survive longer.