Vintage Chevy Trucks - Pickups That Paved the Way for the 2007 Silverado
By: Mike LevinePosted: 12-26-06 00:11 PT
© 2006 PickupTruck.com

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It's always good to take a step back at the end of the year to assess the progress made over the past 12 months, especially during times of rapid change and uncertainty.

Chevrolet staff must be reviewing 2006 and high fiving the launch timing and well deserved design success of the all new 2007 Silverado. But they must also be looking forward to 2007 with a wary eye on Toyota, which is gunning to sell 200,000 Tundras next year - double current market share.

It's an interesting approach Chevrolet has taken with the new Silverado. Gone are the 'angry eyebrows' of the GMT 800 truck. The new 900 pickups fall back squarely on Chevy heritage cues - clean, sleek, and functional. And while getting comfortable with their history again, GM has created the best pickup to ever come out of its factories.

So with 2007 right around the corner, now is a good time to historically note some of the many shoulders the Silverado stands on as it starts to head from dealer lots onto the streets.

1920 Chevrolet Model 'T' Truck - Chassis Bed

1918 was the first year for Chevrolet commercial vehicle sales with a total of 879 reported truck sales. Three models of the 'T' truck line were available; the cab and chassis, the Flare Board Express, and the Express with 8-post curtain top. The lighter 490 model truck was a beefed up version of the 490 passenger car with a heavier suspension. The body was a steel cowl with mounted headlights, fenders, a fold-out windshield, and platform bed for hauling payloads. The 'T' also featured clincher type pneumatic tires instead of solid rubber for a more comfortable ride. It also used an electric starter.

Model: 'T' One-Ton Worm Drive
Engine: 224 cubic-inch, Inline OHV 4-cylinder, 37-horsepower
Transmission: Selective sliding, 3-forward, 1-reverse
Base Price: $1,315

1936 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall

The Chevrolet Suburban Carryall was designed to carry people in a truck type of vehicle in a comfortable manner. And with options such as white wall tires, radio, and a heater, the Carryall was a farmer's dream come true. Interesting to note is that the Dupont Paint Company sales reps drove a fleet of standard Chevy Sedan Deliverables for 1936. To this very day the Suburban line of Chevrolet trucks remains the ultimate super duty station wagon truck.

Model: Series F8
Body Style: Suburban Carryall 2-door, 1/2-ton Passenger Window
Engine: 206 cubic-inch, Inline OHV V6, 79-horsepower
Transmission: Manual synchromesh, 3-forward, 1-reverse
Base Price: $685

1948 Chevrolet Series 3600 5-Window Deluxe Cab

In the summer of 1947, Chevrolet introduced the new 'Advanced Design' trucks that represented an all new look for Chevrolet light duty trucks, with styling that continued relatively unchanged through the 1954 models. Notably, the 2003 Chevy SSR is a retro look to the popular 1948 model design and styling. Chevrolet pickup trucks were once the venue of the farm community, service vehicles that shipped and transported goods and work materials. Today the light duty pickup is often considered a mainstream vehicle among families.

Model: Series 3600
Body Style: Deluxe Cab 3/4-ton Pickup
Engine: 216 cubic-inch, Inline OHV V6, 90-horsepower
Transmission: 4-speed manual synchromesh with floor shift (optional)
Base Price: $1,315

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