CHEVROLET PICKUP

Chevrolet pickups have a rich history that dates back to the 20th century. The Chevrolet pickup was introduced in 1924, and since then, the brand has continued to innovate and improve its trucks. Today, Chevrolet pickups are known for their durability, reliability, and versatility, making them a popular choice for drivers over the world.

History of the Chevy Truck: 1963-1972

In the first part of this series, we covered the history of the classic Chevy truck from 1955 through 1962. It was there where we discussed the transition from the Advance Design in early 1955, which moved on to the Chevy Task Force during the later part of 1955. The Task Force was retired in 1959 and the Chevrolet C/K lineup entered. The C/K trucks would stand as the name for the Chevrolet truck from 1960 all the way until 1999 when it split the year with the famous Chevy Silverado.

Here’s what happened from 1963 to 1972.

What is the C/K? The C/K is actually two separate lines. The C series is a line of 2-wheel drive trucks, while the K series is a line of 4-wheel drive trucks. Trucks of this generation were renamed as 10, 20, and 30 to represent the 1/2, 3/4, and 1-ton versions — changed from 3100, 3200, and 3300 of the previous namesake.

For 1963, the trucks got a coil-spring front suspension and a new base engine — the 3.8L I6 which made 140 horsepower or the 165 horsepower 4.8L I6. No other major changes were in line for this year, but in 1964, the cab was changed. GM eliminated the wraparound windshield and gave it a new front grille design, paired with some interior changes. Air conditioning became optional and a 5.3L V8 became optional in 1965. The only major change in 1966 was a base model engine — a 4.1L I6 which produced 155 horsepower.For 1963, the trucks got a coil-spring front suspension and a new base engine — the 3.8L I6 which made 140 horsepower or the 165 horsepower 4.8L I6. No other major changes were in line for this year, but in 1964, the cab was changed. GM eliminated the wraparound windshield and gave it a new front grille design, paired with some interior changes. Air conditioning became optional and a 5.3L V8 became optional in 1965. The only major change in 1966 was a base model engine — a 4.1L I6 which produced 155 horsepower.

Second Generation

The second generation of the C/K ushered in a more modern look. It was also dubbed the Action Line beginning in 1967. With this new generation, General Motors really started to incorporate creature comforts and features to make the trucks more versatile. This may have kicked off the era of trucks being used for purposes other than work, only one could argue these old trucks were still strictly business.

For the new design, the body was made of new body sheet metal that helped to fight rust, as well as a double-walled steel pickup box. 1967 was the only year for the small rear window. The C-series trucks were also built with an independent coil spring trailing arm front suspension to improve the ride from the traditional leaf springs. Rear leaf springs were standard across the board, however 1967 and remained standard on the 30 series pickups. K-series 4WD trucks, however, had leaf springs on both axles.

The standard drivetrain was a 3-speed manual transmission and the two standard engines were a 250 I6 or 283 V8. Other options included at 4-speed manual, and Powerglide and Turbo-Hydramatic automatics.

For 1968, a 5.0L replaced the 4.6L V8, and a 6.5L V8 that made 310 horsepower was offered for the first time. The most obvious design changes for this year were side markers added to the fenders, and the rear window cab was no longer an option. GM released a 50 year commemorative edition with a white-gold-white paint scheme and also introduced the 3/4 ton Longhorn.

In 1969, the V8 was now a 350 5.7L engine that made 195-255 horsepower, depending on the package. The trucks also got a new grille and a new hood. The K5 Blazer was introduced this year. There was only a minor grille change for 1970.

1971 was a year with a lot of changes. The trucks received an egg crate grille and GM offered the Cheyenne trim package for the first time. This package had a nicer interior, more insulation and padding, carpet, chrome trim, molding along the upper and lower side, and tailgate trim. AM/FM radios made their debut as a factory option in 1971. Front brakes went from drums to discs for the first time on the trucks — making for longer use under heavy braking.

In 1972, very little changed, only the rearview mirror was now glued onto the windshield instead of bolted to the roof of the cab. Door and window cranks were slightly longer, and metal or vinyl flat door panels were no longer in use.

From here, the C/K name would continue all the way until 1999 where the now famous Silverado nameplate would take over. It was truly the early Chevy that shaped the way trucks are designed and driven today. For that reason, these awesome vehicles hold more value than any price tag could show.

The Early Days Of Chevy Pickups

How old do you think the Chevrolet pickup truck dates back to? 1940s, maybe 1930s? Try 1918! Yes, the Chevrolet pickup is that old and has quite a bit to show for its age. The 1918 One-Ton emerged out of Chevrolet’s own necessity for a parts mover around the factory. Essentially a rolling chassis with a configurable body or cargo area allowed the original Chevy pickup to be the versatile vehicle of choice for hauling goods to and fro.

The 1918 One-Ton was powered by an inline-four-cylinder engine. The Chevrolet pickup was born out of necessity and was created with a form-following-function design. Although the form factor has taken more importance, and its drivers certainly appreciate a beautiful design, the capability aspect of a pickup truck has never left the recipe, especially not for Chevrolet.

Some key points in Chevrolet pickups:

Driven by a variety of powertrains
Has gone through four main eras
Form (mostly) follows function
At the top of its class in various areas
The second-oldest pickup truck ever
Initially built for factory workers

Early Era Chevy Pickups

Early Chevrolet pickup trucks can be classified as, “pre 1960s” models with the 1930s Half Ton beginning production in 1933. Known originally as “Eagle”, but later renamed to “Master”, this series of pickups was produced until 1940. In production from 1941 to 1947, the AK series trucks were produced from Chevrolet.

Known for their more stylish influence, the AK or, “Art Deco” era of Chevrolet pickups signified a departure from pickup truck to passenger cars. From 1947 to 1955 we saw the Chevrolet “Advance-design”, and rebranded GMC “New Design” with an emphasis put back on getting work done. The truck was aimed to be larger, stronger successor to the AK series. In 1995, Chevrolet introduced the world to a legend, the Task Force pickup, but more commonly known as Cameo Carrier, a fleetside styled pickup in the 3100 series that was the first to feature a GM classic, the iconic Chevy small block V-8 engine.

This was the first application of the engine in a production pickup truck, and the rest is history. The Cameo Carrier ended production after just four years making way for a line of pickups that would change Chevrolet’s name forever. Prior to the 1960s there was no standardization of models, something the upcoming C/K series would solve.

C/K series

The era of Chevrolet’s C/K series pickup trucks began in 1960 with the C-10, and ran all the way to 1972 where the K-10 later replaced the C series. The overlap in the C/K series appears at first because the C represented a two-wheel drive truck, while K designated a four-wheel-drive truck.

That nomenclature spans between four generations of vehicles, with generations two and three known as, “action line”, and “rounded line”. Although variations of C-designated models lingered, it was the K series that took the lead through the 1970s and into the 1990s with the introduction of the K1500. In 1973 the C10 Fleetside was the pickup that introduced the center grille line that linked the headlights and center bowtie.

This element has remained a Chevy pickup staple, giving the trucks their signature look. The C10 remains one of the most popular hot-rod pickups as it illustrates the image of the Chevy pickup in a classic, but relatable way.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet introduced the first crew-cab dually in 1973, becoming the heavy-duty truck to have of the era. This pickup The last of the C/K series were larger heavy duty chassis-cab trucks. Production ended in 2002, ending the C/K’s 40-year run. Often regarded as the turning point in Chevrolet’s history, the K1500 emerged directly in the middle of Chevrolet’s older era trucks, and the now iconic Silverado.

Chevrolet Silverado

The one and only, Chevy Silverado. It’s been near or at the top of its class since its inception and continues to impress today with incredible power, towing, and payload capabilities. The Silverado took over the long-standing C/K series Chevy trucks and became the golden standard for the brand. Silverado has carried the weight of the Chevrolet pickup since the early 2000s along with being a stellar towing and having vehicle.

Its 1500 half-ton, 2500 3/4 ton, and 3500 one-ton variants are among the best pickups currently on sale. Since its launch in 1998, the Silverado has gone through three full redesigns, currently on its fourth generation. Within the Silverado family have been numerous interesting editions, such as an SS model back that was produced from 2003-2006, a truck that played into the Silverado's popular street culture bringing a powerful V-8 and big chrome wheels along with a sportier appearance.

In 2009 Chevrolet played with the idea of introducing a hybrid Silverado, and even produced some examples in every generation. These of course are mild hybrids, mostly to track interest in such a vehicle. Currently, the Silverado HD possesses a monstrous 975 pounds-feet of torque produced from a 6.6 liter Turbo-Diesel V-8. That power is sent through a 10-speed automatic transmission and enables the Silverado HD to tow an impressive maximum weight of 36,000 pounds.

Chevrolet

The payload capability of the Silverado HD is 7,234 pounds, and it starts at $43,000. This is massive performance for the money, although with options and many trim levels, things can get expensive quickly. Chevrolet is preparing a Silverado EV that sits on the GMC Hummer’s electric platform known as the Ultium Platform, which will surely underpin other GM full-size trucks and SUVS moving towards electrification.

1947-2013 Chevy Truck Generations -

Over the course of more than six decades from 1947 to 2013, Chevrolet trucks went through many changes. The most substantial of these changes serve as the dividing lines between Chevy truck generations. If you're a classic truck enthusiast, you're probably able to spot these body style cues and recall the corresponding model year ranges, or even their designations such as Advance Design and Task Force. However, those who are new to classic trucks may not be so well-versed. With this in mind, we put together a clear and concise visual guide to 1947-2013 Chevy truck generations.

The side-profile photos used in this article are courtesy of Chevrolet (CC 3.0).

1947-1955 Chevy Advance Design

The first of the Chevy truck generations we'll discuss is known as the Advance Design. This was GM’s first postwar truck platform, and is usually listed as 1947-55 1st Series.

• 1947-53 models featured a horizontal bar grille design, 2-piece windshields, with angle-topped bed sides.
• 1950 saw the introduction of modern tubular shocks.
• 1951 saw the introduction of door vent windows.
• 1954-55 models received rounded tail lamps, a crosstype bull nose grille, a 1-piece curved windshield, a redesigned dashboard, and a deeper bed with flat-topped bed sides.
• Chevrolet 1955 1st series models were the last to be offered with 6-volt electronics. GMC continued to offer 12-volt electronics as an option.

1955-1959 Chevy Task Force

As Chevrolet tooled up for the “Task Force” platform, some factories continued to produce the earlier design as the 1955 1st Series, while the new design was produced as the 1955 2nd Series.

• 1955 was the first year for the optional 265ci Small Block V8.
• 1955 2nd Series Models featured a wrap-around windshield.

Above: Here's a beautiful example of a restored 1958 Chevrolet Cameo in Tartan Turquoise with Onyx Black accents. Approximately 1,400 Cameos were built in 1958, making this truck quite rare today. (Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions.)

• The rare and desirable fiberglass-bed Chevrolet Cameo pickup is offered from 1955-58. 1958 trucks introduced dual headlamps.
• Fleetside pickups replaced the Cameo in late 1958.

1960-1966 Chevy C/K Series

The 1960 redesign featured a drop-center ladder frame, which allowed the cab to sit lower. It also marked the introduction of the C/K designations for Chevrolet, “C” for 2-wheel drive models, “K” for 4-wheel drive models. A more sophisticated suspension design provided a more car-like ride. Unlike the Advance Design and Task Force, the first-gen C/K was not given a special series name by General Motors.

• Series 10, 20, 30, and 40 (C or K) were badged as “Apache”, etc.
• Series 50 and 60 series trucks were badged as “Viking.”
• The largest 70, 80, and 90 series models were badged as "Spartan", etc.

Above: To read more about the memorable model names of the 1960-66 GM trucks, check out our article "Behind the Names: Chevrolet Apache, Viking, and Spartan."

• Chevrolet trucks were available with smooth Fleetside” or fendered “Stepside” beds. GMC called these “Wideside” and “Fenderside.”
• 1960-62 models used a torsion bar front suspension and a coil spring rear suspension.
• 1963-66 models upgraded to a coil spring front suspension.
• 1964-66 models changed to a flat windshield design.
• 1966 introduced the 327ci V8 and Turbo-Hydramatic (TH) transmission.

1967-1972 Chevy C/K Series

The 1967-72 Chevrolet and GMC trucks were dubbed “Action Line,” though few enthusiasts still use that name for it today. Most models in this truck generation were built with coil spring rear suspension. All 1967-72 four-wheel drive trucks had leaf springs on both axles.

• 1967 was the last model year without side markers.
• In 1968, a 50th Anniversary package for Chevrolet trucks featured a distinctive white-gold-white paint scheme.
• The Longhorn 3/4 ton trucks debuted in 1968, adding an extra 6" to the bed.

Above: This 1971 K5 Blazer belongs to a Classic Industries customer who visited our Retail Showroom. He was kind enough to allow us to take some photos of it for our blog.

• The short wheelbase K5 Blazer debuted in 1969 along with the GMC version, known as the GMC Jimmy.
• For 1970, the 396ci big block V8 was enlarged to 402ci, yet still sold as a 396.
• 1971 introduced the Cheyenne comfort trim package for Chevrolet and the Sierra package for GMC.
• 1971 brought front disc brakes on all light-duty trucks.

1973-1986 Chevy C/K, 1987-1991 Chevy R/V Series

For 1973, Chevrolet and GMC trucks were tested in a wind tunnel and designed for better aerodynamics. The wheelbase was extended and a dual rear wheel option was offered on one-ton pickups. Internally at GM, this generation was called the "Rounded Line" due to the rounded corners in key areas of the design, such as the windshield and side windows. However, many enthusiasts refer to this generation as the "Square Body" Chevy truck due to its angular lines and squared-off wheel openings.

• An all-new carbon steel ladder frame designed with a “drop center” was introduced.
• The fuel tank was moved outboard of the frame rails beneath the cab floor to offer up to 40 gallons of fuel capacity.
• 1973 introduced the Crew Cab option with the choice of 3+3 seating or lockable storage in the rear cab.
• Two-wheel drive trucks used independent front suspension.
• Power windows and locks were offered as an option in 1977.
• 1978 introduced the first diesel engines.
• For 1987, the C/K designation was changed to R/V to distinguish these trucks from the upcoming GMT400 generation.

1988-1998 Chevy C/K Series (GMT400)

All 4th generation C/K trucks, including four-wheel drive models, received independent front suspension. This Chevy truck generation was officially designated GMT400, but some enthusiasts refer to it as "OBS," short for Old Body Style.

• From 1990-93, a performance model called 454-SS was offered with a 454ci V8, sport suspension, quick ratio steering, and cosmetic accents such as a black grille with red Bow tie.
• A turbo-diesel engine was made available beginning in 1992.
• The front grille design was updated in 1994 with a wider, beveled center bar.
• In 1995, the C/K series underwent a mid-cycle refresh with mandated safety equipment such as a center high-mount stoplight (also known as a third brake light) and four-wheel ABS.
• Vortec V8s debuted in 1995 with high-flow cylinder heads, new camshaft, roller valve lifters, and higher compression for increased power and efficiency.

1999-2007 Chevy Silverado (GMT800)

GM dropped the C/K designations for 1999, opting for Silverado for Chevrolet and Sierra for GMC, referring to the platform as GMT800. Some enthusiasts call this Chevy truck generation "NBS," short for New Body Style. Shortly before the next generation (GMT900) was released for the 2007 model year, General Motors began selling outgoing GMT800 models under the name "Silverado Classic."

• Chevrolet models received a new fascia and revised tail lamps in 2003.
• GMC offered an upscale trim level called Denali in 2001.
• 2001-05 Denali models offered a Quadrasteer 4-wheel steering option.
• Beginning in 2003, Chevrolet offered a Silverado SS high performance pickup. In 2006, an Intimidator SS was offered in honor of the late Dale Earnhardt.
• A gasoline/electric hybrid was offered beginning in 2004.

2007-2013 Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra (GMT900)

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions LLC

The GMT900 series trucks quickly became the most popular and widely used trucks for businesses with employees that drive more than 100,000+ miles. With such a great proving ground of real world data and statistics to draw from, the GMT900 trucks have been considered some of the most reliable Silverados and Sierras that GM has ever produced.

Photo courtesy of Mecum Auctions LLC

• In an effort to improve fuel economy, aerodynamic efficiency was stressed with the GMT900.
• GM increased the rake of the windshield to 57 degrees and decreased body panel gaps to improve airflow.
• Two available V8 engines were equipped with Active Fuel Management (AFM), a feature that deactivated four cylinders when the engine wasn't under load. The 5.3L and 6.0L V8's had AFM. The 4.3L, 4.8L, and 6.2L V8's did not have AFM.
• The GMT900 had a fully boxed frame with a three-inch wider front track and a one-inch wider rear track; torsional rigidity of the chassis improved 234-percent as a result of these changes.
• Goals for enhancing the interior included making it quieter, more spacious, more refined, more comfortable, and offering more storage compartments, which GM accomplished in all areas.

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