The History of the Chevrolet Pickup
The Chevrolet pickup truck can trace its history to 1918, seven years after the founding of Detroit-based General Motors Corporation. GM is the umbrella organization for its line of cars and trucks that include Chevrolet and GMC trucks. While Chevrolet built tough trucks in its early years, it wasn't until after the war that it developed extraordinarily designed vehicles that served as reliable workhorses and second family vehicles.
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Origins
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Like many passengers cars in the pre-World War I era, many were converted for pickup tuck use. Ford didn't introduce a truck chassis until 1917. Chevrolet, brand new to the General Motors family in 1918, followed with the half-ton Model 490 Light Delivery pickup. The truck was available with only a chassis and cowl and based on the 490 car.
Between the Wars
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Early Chevy trucks were powered by four-cylinder engines. By 1929, the truck maker introduced its six-cylinder version. The 194-cubic-inch straight-six generated 46 horsepower. Models were offered with cab and chassis but no cargo box. By the mid-1930s, the modern pickup began to appear with cargo boxes and more comfortable enclosed cabs. The Art Deco era of 1941-46 produced some of the finest and cleanest body styling of prewar trucks.
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Advanced Design
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The Advanced Design era of 1947-55 was a dramatic departure in body styling and the technology and ensured the light-duty pickup could perform heavy work. Chevrolet sought to answer the needs of owners. More cab room, better use of interior cab space, visibility, pulling power and durability were all considered part of the same goal to satisfy buyers looking for a new truck.
The 1950s
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Roominess was a primary concern for Chevrolet in the 1950s--new models grew seven inches longer and eight inches wider than the prewar versions. Attention was paid to easier entry and exiting. All windows were larger and the optional rear-quarter windows greatly improved visibility.
Sister, Sister
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The moment the pickup arrived as something other than just a truck was the 1955 introduction of the Chevrolet Carrier and its sister, the GMC Suburban Carrier. The Chevy Carrier was the luxury answer to the standard GM truck offerings with heavy chrome accents, plush seating, a well-appointed dashboard and a fiberglass-paneled cargo box integrated into the cab to provide seamless lines from rear to front. The GMC version, almost identical to the Chevy, offered even more equipment options. The GMC's heavy chrome grille is its signature look
C/K Series
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The C/K Series proved to be Chevrolet's most enduring and popular model, produced from 1960-98. The series produced many innovations and style changes that kept pace with American motoring tastes. The "C" identified two-wheel drive pickups and the "K" designated four-wheel drive versions.
Modern Look
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The 1967-72 models are perhaps the most popular of the C/K Series. The truck featured a new, sleek design with sharp lines and slab-sided panels. It elevated the truck to second family car status and was regarded as the "glamour" line. Chevrolet continued to improve on the theme through the 1980s and '90s as the C/K line gave way in 1998 to the Silverado and GMC Sierra line of trucks that remain today.
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References
- Photo Credit General Motors
