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Which of these high-powered pickup classics would you choose?

High-performance pickups would appear to be having a moment on the auction site Bring a Trailer, with two tempting examples up for auction right now: a 1971 Ford Ranchero GT and a 1991 GMC Syclone. These trucks are a generation apart, but they each represent the peak muscle truck of their time. The Ranchero, of course, was Ford's car-based pickup, and Ford took advantage of its Torino roots by offering the same ultra-high-performance 429 Cobra Jet V8 in the Ranchero as it did in the Torino-branded coupes and convertibles. The 429 V8 in this truck is said to be numbers-matching, and it looks the business topped with an air scoop poking through the hood. It's paired with a three-speed automatic and a limited slip differential, reportedly one of only 82 1971-model Rancheros with this powertrain combo. As a Ranchero GT, this example sports hidden headlights, and the dual sport mirrors and vinyl top further establish its kinship with its passenger-car siblings. A set of factory Magnum 500 wheels and a respray in the original red add to the muscle-truck vibe. Two decades later, car-based pickups were dead, so when GMC decided to revive the muscle-truck genre it did so with the mid-size Sonoma. The resulting Syclone put a more modern spin on the fast-pickup idea (and on the spelling of "cyclone"). This hi-po hauler uses a 4.3-liter V6 topped with a Mitsubishi turbocharger that helped it make 280 horsepower. It's mated to a floor-shifted four-speed automatic and a Borg-Warner all-wheel-drive system with a 35/65 torque split. The Syclone was a one-year-only model, of which just under 3,000 were built. All were black with matching cloth seats with red accents. The only other '71 Ranchero to appear on BaT was a non-original GT with a 351ci V8 that was a no-sale at $7,900. This Ranchero is already nearly double that figure. Of the four previously Syclones that have crossed BaT's virtual auction block, two have sold, for $36,000 and $50,000, but both had lower miles than this truck. At this writing, these two trucks are neck-and-neck, both in the mid teens with both auctions set to end April 23. Which powerhouse pickup makes you want to put your money down? Featured Gallery Ford Ranchero and GMC Syclone Ford GMC Truck Classics

GM planning to put its fullsize pickups on a big diet, too

General Motors is just coming off a complete redesign of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra for 2014, but in the US fullsize truck market, there is no rest for the weary. According to Reuters, plans are already unfurling for both trucks to drop pounds from their curb weight over the next few years, but this will unlikely be able to keep pace with the 700-pound diet targeted for the next-generation Ford F-150, a truck expected to debut late next year.
The biggest weight reduction for these trucks might not be available until the next full redesign, which will likely happen around 2019, but the article says that smaller updates could shave pounds in the meantime. Two examples given include an "aluminum-intensive" version of the Silverado that could shed 250 pounds and debut around the same time as the lighter-weight, aluminum-bodied 2015 Ford, and there is also talk of reducing weight for driveline components such as axles and driveshafts. These changes are all part of an attempt to meet strict new fuel economy standards coming in 2017, targets which will get even tougher in 2025.

2017 GMC Acadia starts at $29,995

The 2017 GMC Acadia has a lower price in addition to its smaller size and 700-pound weight loss. The latest model starts at $29,995 (including $925 destination) when it arrives at dealers this spring, which is $1,905 less than last year's base version. That low price is just for the front-wheel-drive only SL trim, but there are savings throughout the 2017 lineup. The least expensive all-wheel drive version comes on the SLE model for $35,375, versus $37,100 last year (after $925 destination). The top-spec all-wheel drive Denali now costs $47,845, compared to $50,815 for the 2016 version. You can check out the MSRP for each trim in the release below. The new All Terrain model costs $40,040 and gets a more sophisticated all-wheel drive system with an active twin clutch. GMC claims the layout improves performance in wet, snowy and icy conditions. However, the trim is only available in five-passenger configuration, and storage bins in the floor replace the third-row seat. The 2017 Acadia price is also competitive with some challengers in the segment. For example, a base 2016 Honda Pilot is more expensive at $31,045 (after $900 destination), and the top Elite is $47,470, which is barely cheaper than the Denali. A base 2016 Ford Explorer is more costly at $31,995 (after $945 destination), and the Platinum for $53,915 is several thousand more than a Denali. The latest Acadia offers customers a bounty of tech and efficient powertrains. The IntelliLink infotainment system has support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there're available safety systems like front pedestrian braking and a surround view camera. Most models come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which GMC estimates gets 22 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway with front-wheel drive. A 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 offers an estimated 25 mpg highway for front-wheel drive models. Both powertrains use a six-speed automatic. Related Video: 2017 GMC Acadia starting at $29,995 Drives to heart of midsize SUV segment with lower starting price, more features DETROIT – GMC announced today pricing for the all-new 2017 Acadia will start at $29,995 when it goes on sale this spring. The base price is $1,905 less than the 2016 base model and the new Acadia offers more standard equipment, including a new IntelliLink system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (User interfaces are products of Apple and Google and their terms and privacy statements apply.