20. Ford Ranchero
By the late 1950s, pickup trucks were an established car class with numerous models from several major manufacturers. All trucks were mechanically similar, featuring straight-six engines and newly-introduced V8s. They had a ladder-type chassis and a live axle in the back.
However, Ford, always at the forefront of the market, realized there was a market niche for smaller, more car-like trucks. They recognized some needed a usable vehicle, but not one that could carry a heavy load or have the ruggedness of a regular truck.
The solution was simple. They decided to turn a full-size passenger car into a small pickup truck by chopping the body and adding a truck bed. As a result, they introduced the Ford Ranchero in 1957. It was a hit and featured the same Ford passenger car styling and appointments along with a payload similar to full-size F-Series trucks.
With the Ranchero, customers could enjoy the drivability of a regular sedan with the usability of a proper pickup. It was something the market had never seen before. Ford fanatics could get a big V8 engine, a two-color exterior, an updated radio, and even seat belts. They produced the Ranchero until 1979 in seven model generations.