April 2018 RPM Reduced

generation of Chevy truck to get a 12-volt
electrical system.
The first Chevy C/K truck platform (of
which there would be four generations) was
introduced in 1960. This generation was the
first to get a drop-center ladder frame and an
independent front suspension (on two-wheeldrive
versions), which resulted in a more carlike
ride. These trucks had engine options
ranging from 135-horsepower inline sixes to
220-horsepower V8s. The second generation
“Action Line” C/K debuted in 1967. Most (but
not all) iterations of these new trucks got coilspring
trailing arm rear suspensions, which
further improved ride quality. And power
ranged from 150-hp from a straight six, to a 240-
hp 402 cubic-inch (6.6-liter) Big Block Chevy.
For 1973, the third generation C/K, also
known as the “Square Body” or “Box Body”
was launched. These trucks were designed
on a clean sheet of paper and featured
upgraded items like a stronger chassis, locking
differentials, and more convenience items
(power windows, power locks, etc.), but power
output remained roughly the same. The fourthgen
C/K debuted in 1988 and continued to
offer more comfort and convenience features.
There was also a “muscle car” version know as
the 454SS that got a 230 horsepower/385 lb-ft
454 cubic inch (7.4-liter) Big Block Chevy V8.
The C/K went out of production after 1998.
In 1999, the Silverado name (which had
previously been applied to trim lines) replaced
C/K on Chevy’s full-size pickups. Ascribed the
“Like a Rock” tagline, the new trucks featured
hydroformed frames and a new selection of
Vortec V8 engines. A very limited production
hybrid version was also produced and sold to
a limited number of consumers. Power ranged
from 200 to 345 horsepower. In 2007, the
second-gen Silverado went into production.
It improved upon the previous generation in
terms of power, technology, and comfort. A
hybrid version of these trucks was available
for sale to customers in all U.S. markets. The
third-gen Silverado of 2014 to 2018 moved the
bar forward even more, offering features like
internet and smartphone connectivity, and
power (285 to 445 horsepower) that would
have been practically unbelievable to Chevy
engineers of the past. A fourth-gen Silverado
will begin production as a 2019 model.
Throughout the years there were also smaller
trucks and even car-based Chevy pickups.
The Colorados of today are among the bestselling
non-full-size pickups ever. Similarly,
the compact S-10 Chevy trucks of the 1980s
and 1990s were highly sought after in their day.
The light-duty Chevy LUV pickup of the 1970s
still has an enthusiastic following. And the
car-based Chevy El Camino (produced from
1959–1960 and 1964–1987) bridged the gap
between pickup and muscle car.
But the full-size Chevy trucks are the kings of
GM’s vehicle production. To date, Chevy has sold
more than 85 million pickups. For perspective,
the best-selling car of all time, the Toyota Corolla,
has sold just over 40 million copies.
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