Taking a Glimpse on the History of Chevy Trucks
Chevrolet now
conquers the automobile market in the United States. For the first
time in 19 years, Chevrolet had overtaken its American rival Ford
in terms of automobile units sold in the North American market in
2005. From the Baby Grand and Classic Six car models of Chevrolet
on the early 1910 to the Silverado and Suburban SUVs (sports
utility vehicle) today, Chevrolet proved itself to be successful in
car manufacturing industry.
Just like any other successful industries, Chevrolet has also its
humble beginnings. Remember your grandfather’s Chevy C10 and the
Grand Cayenne? These are the Chevy trucks that become popular
during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s and eventually became the
grandfather of the Silverado and Suburban SUVs that are produced
today. Let us turn back the hands of time and learn the history of
Chevy trucks that once conquered the country’s premier roads and
highways.
Chevrolet was established by William Durant, the former head of the
General Motors (GM) which eventually had Chevrolet as its largest
division, and Louis Chevrolet in 1911. It started when Billy
(Durant’s nickname) was forced out of GM in 1910 because the
company’s financiers believe that he is incapable of running GM
anymore. He established the Chevrolet Motor Company in November
1911 and used Louis Chevrolet’s automobile designs in order to
rebuild his reputation and regain the control of GM.
After their Chevrolet cars sold well enough and are able to
generate profits, Billy able to purchase 54.7 percent of GM stocks
and eventually became its head once again in 1916. In 1918, the
first Chevy trucks were released in the market, the same year
Chevrolet became an integral part of the GM after Billy assumed the
presidency of the enterprise.
The first Chevy truck was 490 Light Delivery chassis cowl. The
chassis cowl included the chassis with engine, transmission, and
the front sheet metal which holds the hood, front fenders, engine
grilles, and headlights. The truck’s wooden cab and pick-up type
body were bought from an aftermarket manufacturer. Its other parts
such as instrument panel, foot pedals, steering wheels, and shift
lever are the exact replica as of the cars. It has a payload
capacity of 1,000 pounds and has a retail price of $595.
The other truck of Chevrolet produced on the same year is the Model
T one-ton chassis cowl. It was the customized Model FA passenger
car chassis, although it was modified to fit commercial purposes.
Its overhead valve four-cylinder engine displaced 224 cubic inches
and generated 21.7 net horsepower. It has a payload capacity of
2,000 pounds and has a retail price of $1,245.
In 1929, Chevrolet introduced the overhead valve six-cylinder
engine, setting a new standard for the light truck industry.
Chevrolet engineers based the new standard to the truck’s purpose
which is to move the largest possible load in the shortest possible
time at the lower possible cost. It eventually produced noticeable
increase both in power and torque over the old four-cylinder and
allowed Chevrolet trucks to move significant large loads than in
the past.
Chevrolet’s International Light Delivery Chassis with Cowl used the
new six-cylinder engine. It has a 107-inch wheelbase light delivery
and was rated for a maximum payload of 1,000 pounds. It moves at a
higher speed enabling salesmen and deliverymen to make more stops
daily compared to the traditional four-cylinder engine.
Chevrolet’s Independence Series of 1931 marks the first year for a
factory-manufactured Chevrolet pick-up and the 1.5-ton utility
trucks were offered in two wheelbases-131 and 157 inches-either
with single or dual rear wheels. The Confederate Series trucks of
1932 upgraded the basic automobile engine features. Torque were now
rated 7 to 131 foot-pounds at 800 rpm. Other modifications which
include the engine features and truck body were made.
Throughout the years, Chevrolet engineers have made series of
modifications and enhancement of Chevy trucks, especially on the
1960-1970’s where the V8 engines are introduced. Chevrolet
introduced the Corvair 95, C10, and other personalized pick-up
trucks which eventually led to Chevy’s new edition of SUV trucks.
Chevy trucks’ history is more than the enterprise’ treasure.
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