The truck's role in American society changed dramatically from the 1960s through the 1980s, with the rise of off-roaders, the van craze of the 1970s and minivan revolution of the 1980s, the popularization of the SUV as family car and the diversification of the pickup truck into multiple forms and sizes. This comprehensive reference book follows the form of the author's popular volumes on American cars. For each year, it provides an industry overview and, for each manufacturer, an update on new models and other news, followed by a wealth of data: available powertrains, popular options, paint colors and more. Finally, each truck is detailed fully with specifications and measurements, prices, production figures, standard equipment and more.

In this exciting new history of Dodge and Ram trucks, award-winning automotive author Patrick Foster details the genesis of today's hot-selling Ram pickups, vans and four-wheel-drives. Beginning with the Graham Brothers, who built the first trucks sold through Dodge dealers, Foster traces the path of Dodge commercial vehicles through the terrific Dodge trucks built during the Roaring Twenties and into the Depression Thirties. Foster then takes us into the war years, 1941-1945, when Dodge manufactured a broad array of war materiel including the mighty WD and WF trucks, which later morphed into the now-legendary postwar Dodge Power Wagons. Next, Foster dives into the decade of the fabulous 1950s, a golden era for American pickups that brought us the equally fabulous Dodge B and C series trucks. Entering the 1960s, Foster tells the story of the growing popularity of Dodge trucks. The story grows as the Dodge line expands in size and in sales. The Dodge D-series and four-wheel-drive W-series are covered in a following chapter, while another is dedicated to the Dodge cabover trucks. The book ends with an Addendum dedicated to the delightful Dodge cabovers. The final chapter of Dodge and Ram Pickups: An Illustrated History covers the turbulent years 2000-2020 when Dodge went from being part of a bankrupt company to its present position today as the number 2 selling full-size pickup in the world.

This title introduces readers to the defining characteristics, history, mechanics, and uses of 4x4 trucks. The title features engaging infographics, informative sidebars, vivid photographs, and a glossary.

This is the story of six extraordinary men who each built something from nothing, redefined the automotive industry after World War II, and redirected its course for the future: Henry Ford II (visionary autocrat with an iron will), Shoichiro Honda (most successful automotive entrepreneur since Henry Ford I), Eberhard von Kuenheim (founder of the modern BMW), Lee Iacocca, Ferdinand Piech (builder of Volkswagen Group) and Robert Lutz (who left retirement at 70 and is still highly influential at General Motors). What made them special was the sheer volume of fundamental change they brought to the largest industry in the history of the world. They not only re-shaped the auto business, the six made a sizable dent in the societies they lived in. To a man they were great cognitive thinkers. Their minds worked with animal speed, even instinct speed. But more than anything these were brave and cantankerous souls who rode the waves of history. Each could see the future. They could just make it out-sometimes imperfectly, but could see it nonetheless. They took a business that had begun to mature and decline by the 1930s and found ways to make it fresh and whole again.- The compelling story of the global car business over the past half-century.- A lively and engaging narrative that recounts some times collaborative, sometimes archly antagonistic interactions among the men- Full of business revelations at the highest level, written by a journalist operating at the heart of the industry- Global appeal that shows how automotive groups in the USA, Europe and Asia have influenced each other- A business story interlaced with personal details that explains why the six were determined to be successfulAbout the AuthorFor two decades, Richard Johnson has worked for Crain Communications, publisher of the world's leading automotive business publications. Founding editor of Crain's Automotive News Europe, he has been a reporter and editor for the group in Detroit, Tokyo, Frankfurt and London. He is currently a senior editor with Automotive News in Detroit and regularly talks to the most senior executives in the leading car manufacturing groups.