Chevy Truck History

General Motors' Chevy pickup truck has long stood in the shadow of the perennial American favorite, the Ford F-Series pickup. But in recent years, the Silverado and its clone, the GMC Sierra, have seen improved sales with a wide range of available options.

Origins

Chevrolet pickups made their debut in 1918 and were powered four-cylinder engines before the inline-six was introduced in 1929.

C/K Series

Chevy introduced the 1960 to 1998 C/K Series that popularized the slabsided Fleetside cargo beds over the traditional Stepside models.

Power Selection

The 1970s saw a brief surge in Chevy engine power with the optional 396-, 400- and the 402-cubic-inch V-8s available before the gas shortages curtailed choices to smaller engines.

Silverado

The Silverado replaced the C/K Series in 1999 and was offered in three sizes with a 119-, 133- and 143.5-inch wheelbase.

Performance Package

Chevy's famed Super Sport performance package for the Silverado became available in 2003 and was equipped with a 6.0-liter V-8 engine generating 345 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque.

Hybrid

The Silverado hybrid, equipped a 36-volt electric unit to start the engine and power the accessories, was launched in 2005.

References

• Early Chevy Truck History
• C/K Series Trucks
• 1970's Chevy Trucks

Resources

• Chevrolet Silverado Super Sport
• Silverado Hybrid