There’s a solid argument for buying the oldest car design you can get your hands on. Automakers redesign most cars from the ground up about every seven years, giving them a significant makeover halfway through their lifespans. But constant improvement means proven designs get thrown aside in favor of new ones, which isn’t always better.
There’s a reason that the most reliable car in Consumer Reports’ most recent round of tests was the Toyota 4Runner. It’s been around, essentially unchanged, since the 2009 model year. That’s enough time for its builders to find and fix most design problems.
But it’s not the only design from George W. Bush’s last year in the White House (automakers started building the 2009 models in 2008) still around to witness the 2024 election. The company says the Ram 1500 Classic will see its 16th year in production.
Factory Churning Them Out Since 2008
The truck has been around so long that it was once sold as a Dodge. Its parent company rebranded Ram as a separate marque in 2010. Ram redesigned the truck for the 2019 model year but decided to build its new truck alongside the old one, not instead of it. They renamed the older model as the 1500 Classic, and the factory kept churning them out.
The 1500 Classic is not as refined as other full-size trucks today. But Ram can sell it for reasonably low prices (the factory tooling was paid off long ago), and some truck buyers appreciate the chance to buy something so battle-tested.
The 1500 Classic doesn’t appear on Ram’s website yet, but multiple media outlets report the company will build it for at least another year. Motor1 says a Ram spokesperson has confirmed the reports.
Is the Current Ram 1500 a Future Classic?
Ram won’t comment on the Classic’s long-term future. But, the company has a refreshed 1500 for the 2025 model year. There’s a lot new about that truck, but it’s a refresh – not a complete redesign.
The company could easily keep building the Classic until it’s time to redesign the 1500 from the ground up. Then, it might decide to rebadge today’s 1500 as the Classic… or try selling a 2009 model in 2027. It would probably find buyers who see the value in something experienced and predictable.
