The 5 Best Chevrolet Truck Models of All Time (2023)

‍What are the top five classic Chevrolet trucks of all time?

Here's our list of five of the most iconic trucks Chevrolet has made over the years.

1973-75 Chevrolet C/K

There are a few reasons why this truck is on the all-time best list, namely that it set the basic design form for what Chevrolet trucks have looked like for nearly 50 years. Even today, even with the introduction ofsilverIn 1975, trim level nameplates appeared. That's where most of us expect from Chevrolet trucks, the simple, straightforward lines we've seen in thousands of commercials.

The 1973 Chevrolet C/K has been part of the model line for over 18 years, from 1973 to 1991. Computer technology and wind tunnels in the early stages of development help subtly round the truck's corners and side edges. But not enough to spoil the overall aesthetic. Chevrolet offered two-wheel-drive models with four-wheel-drive options and found that hungry Americans wanted a truck that could handle off-road work, but still wanted one that doubled as a family hauler on paved roads. The truck offered the public more than years of drug and flower power and began to divert their weary eyes from watching bloody wars on national television every night.

The 1973 redesign was the first truck to feature a passenger-side mirror, four-way turn signals, a shock-absorbing steering wheel and three-point retractable seat belts. In 1975, center lap belts for center seat passengers became standard equipment. Also included are front bucket seats with a center console.

One of the reasons for the C/K's popularity was that Chevrolet introduced a four-door crew cab with four different doors, similar to its successfulSuburban Chevrolet. The added space and interior updates make the truck's interior more familiar. (Upgraded wood trim, added air conditioning, upgraded interior, and optional AM/FM radio with integrated windshield antenna don't hurt.) Chevrolet is beginning to recognize growing demand for trucks, and this Trucks can tow the growing number of recreational trailers and RVs that are becoming part of America's highways. (Gas was only 0.39 a gallon back then, so you can see why Americans were exploring.)

The 1973 C/K was available with a number of different engine options, with a 454 V8 as well as a smaller V6 offering. Still, it introduced a 478 cubic-inch diesel engine as an option. The truck offers multiple body configurations, giving the public even more options.

Any discussion of the 1973 C/K should mention that the one-ton version of the C/K had optional dual rear wheels called the "Big Dooley" and was the first double cab truck to feature this configuration . This full-ton pickup started the HD truck movement, so it deserves to be a part of C/k's glory.

While you may remember C/K from the 1970s, many of these beautiful models are still on the road today. If you come across one, grab it if you can. This truck runs forever and will continue to increase in value over time.

1947-1953 Chevrolet "Advanced Design"

In an effort to win over soldiers returning from World War II overseas, GM began putting effort into designing a new look for its trucks. The advanced design hit the market and was immediately popular with soldiers looking for jobs, raising families, and buying homes and trucks. It was a prosperous time for many American families as they worked hard to build their homes.American dream, the Chevrolet pickup begins part of this promising outlook.

Taking cues from passenger car styling and comfort, designers increased the size by 8 inches wide and 7 inches long. The large fixed windscreen, the integrated headlights integrated directly into the quarter panels, and the flowing chrome bumper are designed to immediately draw attention to the oversized hood that opens forward. This truck has a unique front that will stand out the moment it is parked in front of you. The series was the best-selling pickup every year from its introduction in 1947 until it was discontinued in 1955.

The Advance Design truck didn't stop at exterior modifications, however; the designers hoped to appeal to working soldiers and their families by redesigning the interior. The cabin has increased in size, with increased head and leg room. Seats can be moved fore and aft to accommodate drivers of different sizes, and thicker dashboard padding and floor mats contribute to a more upscale look while reducing road noise. Oversized glove box with optional heater/defroster. In 1948, the manual transmission was moved to the steering column, the first Chevrolet truck with a triple tree, and the emergency brake was replaced by a foot pedal.

The truck is available in 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and full ton options with 78", 87" or 108" body sizes respectively. The half-ton version comes with a 90-horsepower OHV six-cylinder engine. While the horsepower won't win any sprint races, the engine is strong enough to tow and handle most business and personal uses. (A more powerful 235 inline-six became the standard engine.) Many of the advanced-engineered trucks had 50-inch-wide beds and stronger sides and tailgates, and they were used as deliveries as companies incorporated them into day-to-day operations. cargo vehicle.

Most of the advanced design trucks still on the road have become coveted collectibles. While parts and metal plates are still available, the value of this particular collection has skyrocketed, with many collectors finding their restored ADs fetching $400,000-$50,000 or more.

1990 454 SS

The Chevrolet truck has only been in production for four years, but its increasing value among collectors means it's on its way to becoming one of GM's greatest products. You'll see this truck appear on more and more lists over the next five years, and many millennials are buying these simple trucks, betting that their rising value will continue to grow. what is it? If I had to describe the 1990 454 SS, I'd say it was a mighty little truck that could do just about anything, while being able to circle around the more prominent, bulkier half-ton trucks from other manufacturers.

The idea behind this truck was to fit the biggest engine in the smallest truck possible. Chevrolet decided to take the 454 cubic inch Mark IV V8 and pack it into a small half-ton regular cab. The V8 makes 230 horsepower and has plenty of other goodies (one of which is 385 pound-feet of torque, which means the truck can go from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds). Even if you don't want to race the truck (it's low gas mileage), you can still put power to the rear tires because it has such a powerful engine and very light ends.

Only 17,000 of these beautiful structures were built, but they are virtually indestructible. In 1990, the 454 sold for just under $20,000 and featured a heavy-duty radiator, Bilstein shocks, advanced steering components, and a black grille. The 454 is only available with Onyx Black and Garnet Red interiors, with Silverado trim with Cruiser and tilt steering wheel. The paint color is part of this truck's appeal. The SS became a coveted truck and, due to limited production runs, has become one of the most popular among collectors. Some car enthusiasts are willing to pay top dollar because parts are readily available and owners can customize their trucks with whatever truck add-ons they want. If you're looking for a truck that started cheaply but has been steadily increasing in price, take a close look at the 1990-93 454 SS.

1937-39 Chevy Half Ton

Influenced by lingering influences of the 1930sGreat Depression, Chevrolet needs a way to continue its dominance of the truck market. (Chevrolet was embroiled in a bitter sales war during the New Deal, first outpacing Ford in 1928 and again in 1931-33.) The economic hardships of the past decade are still fresh in the minds of would-be buyers, but There are signs of growth as Americans begin to get back on their feet.

Chevrolet wanted a truck that could fit everyone's needs. man returning fromnew dealThese projects are sold with the most basic functions. Instead, their family wanted a vehicle that offered more refined amenities, like the luxury cars starting to hit American highways. The answer is 1937 - 39 half tons.

The appearance of the truck is streamlined, with a simple and rugged appearance. Raised cab improves visibility, safety and easier access. The half ton truck has a strong steel frame with five strong cross beams that give the truck stability, while a plank extended bed gives the owner more room to haul more stuff. (The cargo box is nearly 5 inches longer than the previous model, at 77 inches.) Upgraded rear springs make the truck ideal for light-to-moderate daily duties, as many in the country borrow building lessons from New Deal projects , and apply these skills in their own families and communities.

The interior of the cabin tries to offer more amenities (again, design cues from GM vehicles), including upholstered seats, adjustable seat and backrests, a revised dashboard, and larger, clearer gauges. The floor is covered with rubber mats, and the inside of the metal door is covered with wooden moldings. While the truck is only available in a cab configuration, it's an improvement over previous single truck offerings.

The truck has a payload capacity of up to 1,500 lbs. To prove the truck's worth, Chevrolet sent it on a 10,245-mile marketing drive led byAAA, where the trucks hauled more than 1,000 pounds of cargo and ended up with an average mileage of 20.74 mpg. Much of that work is thanks to a new, heavier 78-horsepower, 216.5-cubic-foot engine. exist. Blue flame straight six. (Even the fuel intake was moved from under the front passenger seat to an intake duct on the outside of the passenger-side door, eliminating gas vapors inside the cockpit.)

Many enthusiasts believe that Chevrolet ushered in the modern pickup era with the introduction of the '37-'39 half-ton trucks. While Chevrolet was selling the truck for $572 at the time, the trucks are now worth much more and have grown exponentially.

1918 Half Ton Model 490 and One Ton -

No Chevrolet truck list would be complete without mentioning the truck that started it all. Troops return from first stopworld war, eager to escape the horrors of modern warfare. These dedicated individuals started out doing manual labor, carrying and moving equipment, produce, or working in factories. Chevrolet recognized that at the height of America's emergence as the new world power, a work vehicle was needed to help move the flow of goods through the American economy.

Although Chevrolet has been experimenting withFord Modelo T, the first attempt was not successful. His first work was the classic Series C in 1913, but it was priced too high for many of the war-conscious public and their children abroad. The company continued to refine the design, and by 1918 they produced a lower-cost pickup for the same price as the Ford. Sales took off almost immediately. That same year, when Chevrolet merged with General Motors, the company began to see the value of the partnership and stepped up competition with Ford, by far the leading U.S. auto company.

The 1918 Forty-Nine was a rolling chassis with an open, exposed cab, powered by an inline four-cylinder engine. The factory usually does not install the rear body, allowing customers to build the cargo area that best suits their needs. Whether it's a tank truck for hauling gasoline or a flatbed for lumber, the truck is known for its consistent performance. The one-ton version can carry a 2,000-pound payload and has an engine (224 cubic inches OHV, 4 cylinders) that produces up to 36 hp and 45 lb-ft of torque, with a governor that keeps the top speed at 25 mph.

There's little interior to speak of, just a seat cushion and pads bolted to the cab's rear wall. Over the next two years, Chevrolet continued to delve into its cars, adding gauges and other components from the various models they produced. Although the one-ton vehicle has upgraded springs so it can carry heavier loads, the ride is tough. In short, it runs like a truck. An interesting design note is that the bowtie emblem was incorporated into the front grille and was developed by Chevrolet a few years ago.

Honorable Mention - Road

I know there's debate about whether the El Camino is a truck or a car, but the truth is it's both. First introduced in 1959, Chevrolet needed something to matchFord Rancher, but early access only lasted a few years. In 1964, the second-generation model reappeared, based on Chevrolet's successful sales of a powerful coupe, the Chevelle. The vehicle is a concept truck for a van without a rear roof. Interestingly, U.S. regulations classify it as a pickup truck, so we give it an honorable mention.

There have been five generations of this iconic "truck/car," each with its own adaptations and improvements. Various engines were offered (V6 and V8), and springs were added to the rear, allowing owners to tow items such as surfboards or snowboards. Chevrolet continued to produce the El Camino until 1987, renaming it the Caballero in 1978, before discontinuing it nearly a decade later.

The peak of the El Camino SS was probably in the early 1970s, when the addition of a 6.5-liter or 7.4-liter V8 engine with an output of 350-450 horsepower turned the car into a beast. Soon, "El Camino" began to tour Hollywood, appearing in front of Americans time and time again. The public loves a powerful truck/car that can beat almost any type of muscle car.

Honorable Mention - The Firebolt Era - 1929 - 1936

In 1929, Chevrolet did an amazing thing. they built a trucktop valvesix-cylinder engine. The engine has 196 cubic inches, 46 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. nicknamed"stove"The motor is attached to the frame with the same bolts used on cast iron wood burning stoves. (The pistons are also made of cast iron, making them durable and nearly impossible to damage.) It's thought that the designers adapted a cast-iron wood-burning stove and placed it in the front of the truck. Not long after, Chevrolet put the durable engine in a 1.5-ton truck, increasing the payload weight to more than 7,000 pounds. The importance of this engine cannot be underestimated.

Other improvements began to appear in the way Chevrolet trucks were built. Buoyed by sales success (1928 was the first time Chevrolet outsold Ford), the company changed its production model. The 1929 Stovebolt was the first Chevrolet pickup with an enclosed cab and was available in a variety of colors. To match the mass production of Ford trucks, Chevrolet began building them at the factory in 1929 (Ford had been doing this for years). Plus, Chevrolet finds out how convenient it is to offer body style options so companies can buy a panel truck ready to paint their company logo on the side. It's a truck that survived the Great Depression, loaded with the few items that many American families had to drive while looking for work. Even on our nation's toughest days, this Chevrolet pickup holds its own.