Interesting, just looked it up. Looks like Vermont charges tax regardless of age of the vehicle on the NADA value unless you can get an exception. I would try and explore the MD/VA route using a friends address or something. 2,600 is a lot to pay in tax for an old unrestored truck. In VA antique tags will cost you like $50 and they have lifetime validity (no yearly registration or inspections)

In VA the minimum tax you pay when you get your title in $75

Edit: The truck is 50 years old, I feel the govt has already got it’s fair share of taxes out of it

I believe for VA you need a VA residential address. Vermont is a state where you can live out of state and register a car. You can actually do it over mail and get your title and plates in the mail. It’s a common loophole to register a car with a missing title. Hypothetically you can register your truck there without being a resident. Look further into Vermont state registration

Maybe come down to VA/MD and just register it as historic/antique