It’s a universal truth: Chevy pickups were an integral part of American history. They did the most challenging farm work, transported construction tools and lumber to the growing suburbs, and took their owners out of town for a well-earned vacation.
Source: Mecum Auctions
In 1930, Chevrolet was the first to produce factory pickup trucks. However, the first-ever automobiles of this class appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, more precisely in 1913, based on the legendary “Lizzy Tin”, Ford Model T. In fact, it was a passenger vehicle with a cargo compartment finalized to this type by private workshops. Ford’s main competitor Chevrolet had a similar history. The company built the first versions of these automobiles based on its Series 490 passenger automobiles. True, these automobiles did not have a body and the owner decided what to build on top of the frame. After the 30s, factory-brand cars had a carrying capacity of 0.5 or 1.5 tons, depending on the wheelbase and the presence of a twin on the rear axle.
The origins
Source: Motorcar Classics
The history of the global automobile industry knows several names, which were forever imprinted in people’s minds. These so-called “people’s cars” (for example, Volkswagen-Beetle/Kafer or Ford-T) were best sellers and universally loved automobiles. One such model was a simple, comfortable, and widely popular Chevrolet Pickup. Based on certain accounts, it is believed that the initial batch of trucks manufactured by the company was assembled in Flint, Michigan on November 22, 1916, and dispatched from the factory on December 2 of the same year. These trucks, known as the $595 490 Light Delivery half-ton truck, featured a basic structure similar to the Chevrolet 490 model but equipped with robust rear springs. When fitted with a body or van, it served as a lightweight truck that catered to the needs of small businesses that thrived during the economic upswing following World War I. Later in 1930, factory-made trucks came to replace the hooded truck chassis, which at first appeared with open and closed cabs. In 1930, Chevrolet acquired the Martin-Parry coachbuilder and successfully sold 0.5-ton trucks with a steel cab and factory-installed body. By the mid-1930s, half-ton cars with factory-installed steel bodies became the mainstay of the pickup market, competing with Ford, Dodge, Studebaker, and International automobiles of the same class. In the late 30s and early 40s, Chevrolet was actively working on improving its trucks, and after the Second World War, a new era began for this model. Then the successful “Six for the price of four” advertising campaign followed, hinting at the number of cylinders in the new vehicles. After all, vehicles with a lower payload were much faster and more maneuverable than large automobiles, and the six-cylinder engine gave them an additional advantage.
The 1941 model year
Source: Pixels
1941 was the year of fundamental changes for the automobile which differed from what Chevrolets produced before 1941. In fact, until 1941, the company’s automobiles of this class and passenger models shared the front of the body. 1941 was the year of restyling when the company’s pickups underwent the most important change receiving new front sheet metal. The 1941 vehicle received a grille with upper horizontal stripes and a lower one with vertical stripes, as well as fender-mounted headlights. The new vehicle had a special body in a detailed style receiving taller hood and roof lines, vertically lined grilles, recessed headlights in the front fenders, and opening V-shaped windshields. As an option, the brand offered two 6-cylinder engines (3.5-liter with 90 hp and 3.7-liter with 93 hp), two manual transmissions (3-speed or 4-speed), five final drive ratios, and nine wheelbase pickups. The 1941 release was available in 1/2 or 3/4 ton capacity. The design was so successful that these automobiles were produced until 1947 when they were replaced by the new Advance Design pickups.
Did you know?
Source: Barrett-Jackson
The “people’s car” Chevy trucks appeared in such American and foreign films as The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946), Dick Tracy’s Dilemma (1947), Monpti (1957), La mémoire courte (1963), Las doce sillas (1962) and many others.
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