Today, the Chevrolet pickup trucks we know as the Silverado and Colorado have come a long way since the original One-Ton many years ago. The Silverado is one of the most powerful pickup trucks money can buy, and the Colorado is one of the most versatile.
There have been highlight eras that explain its current styling, where the iconic pickup has been, and where Chevrolet sees it moving towards in the future. Known for its unapologetically American style and capability, here is some history about one of the nation’s favorite vehicles, the classic Chevy pickup.
The Early Days Of Chevy Pickups
The Chevrolet pickup truck dates back to 1918. The 1918 One-Ton was essentially a rolling chassis with a configurable body or cargo area, making it a versatile vehicle for hauling goods. It was powered by an inline-four-cylinder engine.
Some key points about 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. The AK series trucks were produced from 1941 to 1947 and 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. In 1995, Chevrolet introduced the Task Force pickup, also known as Cameo Carrier, which was the first to feature the iconic Chevy small block V-8 engine.
C/K series
The era of Chevrolet’s C/K series pickup trucks began in 1960 with the C-10 and ran until 1972. The C represented a two-wheel drive truck, while K designated a four-wheel-drive truck. The K series took the lead through the 1970s and into the 1990s with the introduction of the K1500.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevy Silverado has been at the top of its class since its inception. It took over the long-standing C/K series Chevy trucks and became the golden standard for the brand. The Silverado has gone through three full redesigns and is currently on its fourth generation.
Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado was introduced in 2004 as a larger, more capable pickup truck. It competes in the mid-size truck segment and offers special models like the ZR2 to compete with other brands’ off-road models. The Colorado is an economical option for those who want to drive pickups as more of a daily vehicle.