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100 Years of Chevrolet Truck History

Vehicle Research•Photos 16•June 6, 2018

The 1918 Chevrolet One-Ton was the first purpose-built Chevrolet truck. It was meant to be an affordable and flexible platform, able to be purchased as a cowl and chassiis or an express body with or without an eight-post curtain top. It had a whopping 36 hp and 3.67L OHV four-cylinder engine. This also marked the year Chevrolet merged with General Motors.

Compare this to today’s Chevrolet Colorado, which achieves 191 lb.-ft. of torque, an increase of 480% over 1918 figures. 

Think you know which truck was GM's most popular? It may surprise you to hear the 1971 C10 was the most popular Chevrolet truck offered, with more than 260,000 units built. Driving that popularity was the C10’s new Cheyenne interior trim package which brought a new level of comfort, convenience, and style to pickups. Four engines were offered, giving buyers the widest range of engine choices in the industry.

Topics:Historical VehiclesAnniversaryChevroletGeneral MotorsMilestonesVehicle Research

The 1918 Chevrolet One-Ton was the first purpose-built Chevrolet truck. It was meant to be an affordable and flexible platform, able to be purchased as a cowl and chassiis or an express body with or without an eight-post curtain top. It had a whopping 36 hp and 3.67L OHV four-cylinder engine. This also marked the year Chevrolet merged with General Motors.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

The 1926 Chevrolet Series X One-Ton truck was powered by a 170.9 CID inline 4, delivering 35 hp. Features included a disc clutch with floor mounted gearshift, semi-floating rear axle, external contracting rear brakes, wooden spoke wheels, and a 120-inch wheelbase. The hood, fenders, lights, and running gear from 1926 passenger cars were used on these trucks.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

The 1938 Half-Ton was the first Chevrolet truck to be designed by the newly formed Art and Color department. It featured a vertical grill and a new front bumper. It was powered by a 3.5L inline-six-cylinder engine that achieved 78 hp.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

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This Chevrolet 3100 series from 1947 was the first truck to use the Chevy postwar “Advance Design” styling, featuring a rounded profile, five-bar horizontal grille, and a wider cab for a true three-person seat. New features included a fresh-air heater/defroster system, cab corner windows, and an in-dash radio. It was powered by a 3.5L inline six-cylinder and achieved 78 hp.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

The first “Fleetside” truck in the industry, the 1955 Chevrolet 3124 Series Cameo Carrier was the part of the Task Force generation of trucks, which were the successors of the Advance Design series. Marketed as an executive truck, it offered car-inspired features such as passenger car-style seating, two-tone paint, and was designed with wraparound front glass. It was powered by a 3.85L inline six-cylinder engine and achieved 123 hp.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

The 1956 3100 Series Stepside 1/2-ton truck was a carryover of the hugely popular 1955 model. This one is powered by the optional 265 CID V-8 delivering 162 hp. These trucks were popular with rural American farmers and trades workers who used the trucks for utilitarian purposes.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

Dubbed the “Action Line,” the second-generation 1967 Chevrolet C/K Series added convenience features to the work truck, updated the body design, and provided an option of a six-cylinder or big block V-8. The truck could achieve 153 hp.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

The 1975 Chevrolet truck line was the best-selling truck in the industry, selling nearly 750,000 vehicles. The C10 was available with two different pickup box styles (Fleetside and Stepside), four trim levels, and two wheelbase lengths. Standard engine was the 250 CID inline 6. Chevrolet’s 350 CID small block V-8 was optional.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

The fourth generation of the C/K Series, the 1988 C/K1500 was the first to be built on the GMT400 platform. In addition, 1988 introduced the Insta-Trac system, allowing drivers to shift in and out of four-wheel drive at any speed. It was equipped with independent front suspensions, powered by a 5.7L V-8, and achieved 185 hp.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

First appearing in 1975 as a trim, the Chevrolet Silverado became a stand-alone model in 1999 for the first time. It featured the new GMT800 platform, a new line of Vortec V-8 engines, a hydroformed frame, and new driver message center. It was powered by a 5.3L V-8 and achieved 270 hp.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

Chevrolet redesigned the Silverado in 2007, inside and out, and built the truck on the updated GMT900 platform. Aerodynamics were improved, including a much steeper rake on the windshield. It was powered by a 5.3L V-8 and achieved 315 hp.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

The 1933 Deluxe Panel Delivery was powered by the famous Blue Flame Six, a 207 CID inline 6, delivering 65 hp. This engine was mated to a three-speed transmission and included a floor-mounted gear shift, single-plate dry-disc clutch, semi-floating rear axles, mechanical four-wheel brakes, and wire spoke wheels. 

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

The 1971 C10 was the most popular Chevrolet truck offered, with more than 260,000 units built. Driving that popularity was the C10’s new Cheyenne interior trim package which brought a new level of comfort, convenience, and style to pickups. Four engines were offered, giving buyers the widest range of engine choices in the industry.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

The first Crew Cab dually to hit the market, the 1973 Chevrolet C30 One-Ton Dually may be the first of the modern heavy-duty pickup trucks. The C30 introduced the “square body” with rounded exterior lines for improved aerodynamics. It was the first Chevrolet truck with a factory crew cab option and seating for up to six people. It was powered by a 5.7L V-8 and achieved 155 hp. 

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

To celebrate 100 years of trucks, Chevrolet introduced the new 2018 Centennial Special Editions of the Silverado and Colorado. The Silverado is powered by a 6.2L V-8 engine that achieves 420 hp while the Colorado is powered by a 3.6L DOHC V-6 that achieves 308 hp.

​Photo courtesy of General Motors

In 2018, Chevrolet Trucks announced its re-entry into the medium-duty market with the Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD (pictured).  Featuring a standard 6.6L turbo-diesel V-8 engine, max GVWR of 22,900 pounds, and up to 700 lb.-ft. of torque, these trucks have come a long way since the 1918 One-Ton.

Photo courtesy of General Motors