On Christmas Day most of us are getting stuffed with goodies, reading one of the books we got from Santa or playing games with the kids (or grandkids, depending on your age.) Caleb Jacobs offered this present to truck enthusiasts: an article in The Drive about "the Best Special Edition Pickup Trucks Ever Made." 
2004-2006 International MXT 4x4
He doesn't actually declare these the best. Rather, he suggests they are among the best by asking readers the question, Are These the Best Special Edition Pickups? He then produces a set of suggestions for consideration, just the kind of thing truck enthusiasts love to debate over a lengthy, leisurely after-dinner conversation, favorite libations in hand. Here are the trucks he cites, but I'll make you jump to The Drive for the details as regards why they're special.
He begins with that nostalgic fave, the 1978-79 Dodge Ram Li'l Red Express/Midnite Express. Jacobs dives into the key differences between the Li' Red and the Midnite. Whereas there were ample Li' Reds, there were only about 200 Midnites produced, making them rare though not forgotten. The reputation Li'l Red garnered for itself was based on being the first "hot rod pickup" and who doesn't like that notion?
The second truck he cites is the 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota, a truck with several special editions, one of them being a convertible. It, too, was quick though not a Li'l Red Express.
The 1991 GMC Syclone comes in with a whirlwind introduction. Supposedly there are some who would suggest that there's nothing left to say after the Syclone. GMC only made 3000 of them, all black except the Marlboro edition.
The 1991 Chevrolet 454 SS gets the next citation. This was another truck with "a menacing black scheme." To establish its reputation they replaced the small block 350 cu. in. engine with a 454 big block with monster oomph.
There's actually an EV here on the list, the 1997-98 Chevrolet S-10 Electric. The battery-powered pickup was targeted at fleet operators who needed highly efficient vehicles for around-town driving. For what it's worth, this fellow was front-wheel drive.
Other vehicles on Jacobs' list include the 1999-2004 Ford Lightning, the 2004-2006 Dodge Ram SRT-10, the 2019-20 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison, and (my favorite) the 2006-2008 International MXT 4x4. Of this latter, he points out that International hasn't produced pickup trucks since the 70's, being known for its medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which are reliable workhorses in our economy.
"Clearly, the MXT rides higher than most factory pickups," Jacobs notes. "That's partially because it rides on 40-inch Pro Comp tires that are also 13.5 inches wide. Its 6.0-liter DT365 turbodiesel engine has no problems turning those, though, as it produces 300 hp and 530 pound-feet of torque."
Just reading the names of these trucks makes your heart beat faster. What's your favorite?
Here's the link to the full Christmas story:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/38367/these-are-the-best-special-edition-pickup-trucks-ever-made
