Chevrolet Trucks
The idea started simply enough: fit a car chassis with a hand-built utility bed to help carry materials around a booming Chevrolet factory. Before long, those very factories would be churning out these trucks in the millions to help build an ever-expanding American nation soaring to new heights after WWII. From the early, utilitarian Advance-Design 3000 Series trucks and its rugged Task Force disciples, to the revolutionary C/K Series pickups that transformed the market with numerous redesigns and decades of dominance, and to the modern GMT400 ‘OBS’ models that catapulted the nameplate into the future and permanently embedded Chevrolet into the bedrock of American pickup lore. The Chevrolet Bowtie is the ubiquitous symbol for ‘pickup truck’, and the vintage truck market is full of these wonderful examples for sale today.
1947-1955
Advance-Design 3100 Series
After solidifying its name as a bonafide truck-maker before (and during) the war, Chevy took their experience and completely changed the game. The Bowtie brand knew that utility was paramount, but to stand out in the class, form needed to be just as important as function. The beautifully styled Advance-Design series is developed in 1947 with not only the tool in mind, but also its operator. ½, ¾, and 1-ton capacities are developed in both short and long wheelbases, with roomy, stylish cabs featuring a horizontal bar grille, space for three inside, and strong yet thrifty Inline-6 engines. Aesthetic changes are gradual until 1954 when they become more significant, including a ‘bullnose’ front grille, one-piece windshield, horizontal bed rails, and a revised dashboard inside.
1955-1959
Task-Force 3100 Series
The dramatic styling tones of 1954 continue into 1955, where a completely redesigned, larger truck debuts with the industry’s first wrap-around windshield, a wide eggcrate grille, bulging fenders and rear quarters, bigger lights all-around, and a more substantial bed out back. These ‘2nd Series’ pickups told the world that trucks could actually be good-looking, a notion punctuated by the up-market Cameo Carrier gentleman’s pickup. 1957 ushers in a ‘catfish’ style open grille and a factory-installed 4WD system is introduced for the first time. By 1958, the ‘3000’ series name is dropped in favor of ‘Apache’ for the redesigned light-duty trucks, and a new slab-sided ‘Fleetside’ option is introduced for the final two model years.
1960-1966
The Early C-10/K-10 Series
For the first time, Chevy trucks get their own, dedicated chassis with the debut of the 1960 C10. However, several features from cars are still prevalent, most notably a drop-center frame that allows for a lower cab and lower center of gravity, and an independent front suspension and coil-spring rear that makes these pickups the best driving and functioning production trucks made to this point. A complete redesign streamlines the aesthetics, and many argue that these are the best-looking Chevy trucks of all-time. The ½ ton light-duty pickup receives a facelift in ‘62, and then a new A-pillar, hood, and windshield in 1964-66. ‘C’ designates 2WD models, ‘K’ designates 4WD – offered in short and long base models and Stepside and Fleetside styles.
1967-1972
Action/Glamour Line - C-10/K-10
Comfort, style, and high-end options via several available trims mean these Chevy trucks become legitimate multi-purpose vehicles, not just workhorses. The ‘Glamour Line’ moniker is very apropos, as they’re the most aesthetically appealing Chevy pickups by most subjective measurables, from the simple long-beds with Inline-6 engines to the up-market Super Cheyennes with big blocks. The simple, iconic design remains popular as Chevy’s most restored truck on the road today, ranging from back-to-stock builds and full-blown resto-mods. Bi-annual revisions focus on facelifts starting with the rounded ’67-‘68s trucks with dual horizontal bar grilles, chiseled ’69-70’s with center-bar grilles, and the squared-off ’71-‘72 models with egg-crate style grilles. Action-Lines also serve as the basis for modern SUVs like the K5 Blazer and Suburban.
1973-1987
Rounded Line/Square Body - C-10/K-10/R-10/V-10
Unofficially split into two series: the 1973-’79 Rounded Line and 1980-’87 Square Body trucks. They grew in size and weight – inside and out – and as trucks became more commonly used as personal vehicles, options and comforts fall closer in line with GM cars. First trucks to be designed with computers and tested in wind tunnels, although they maintain their typical squared-off, straight-lined appearance throughout the generation. Quad cabs are introduced, the Silverado name first appears as a trim option in ’75, and the first diesels debut in ’78. Square body pickups were big sellers then and are currently surging as incredibly popular trucks in the current collector market. 1987 brings about fuel-injection, and the C/K name gives way to the R/V series after an 18-year run.
1988-1998
GMT400 “Old Body Style” - C/K 1500/2500/3500
The C/K series name is revived (and no longer shared with GMC) after a short hiatus, albeit with an all-new ‘modern’ truck on a new GMT400 platform. Ironically dubbed the ‘Old Body Style’ pickups, these smaller-cabbed, rounded, and technologically advanced trucks are completely restyled with Euro-style quad headlights. Extended-cabs are finally offered to match the competition, Cheyenne, Scottsdale, and Silverado trim models are available, and all-new Insta-Trac allows drivers to switch from 2WD to 4WD on-the-fly. The most user-friendly and dependable Chevy trucks made to this point, they feature huge improvements to available drivetrains and the independent front suspension that’s now standard across the make. This 4th generation officially ends the C/K line, and is largely considered the last of the classic Chevy trucks.