Relive The History Of Hauling With These 6 Classic Chevy Pickups

Fast forward 30 years from the 1926 model, and Chevrolet’s truck design language had transformed dramatically. The Advance Design range was the first major update – this particular example came just a year after the Advance Design name was discontinued, Chevy instead adopting the "Task Force" nomenclature for this particular model.

Draped in a gloss black finish from top to bottom with chrome detailing on the front bumper and grille, the 3100 in question was completely original. Another opportunity for a ride-along gave me the chance to look at how these beautiful pickups were built back in the day, this one was equipped with a standard bench seat and a big, round steering wheel.

Gone was the funky styling found in models of the 1950s, in its place was a boxy new look that was adopted by the first-generation C/10 pickup in 1960. This second-gen example, finished in a stunning two-tone white and green exterior finish with wood paneling accents, was the earliest vehicle we were allowed to drive. 

After just a few minutes on the road, I found myself falling in love with this comfy half-cab pickup. The huge rounded steering wheel was controllable with just two fingers, the soft suspension soaked up any impurities in the road, and the 350 V8 under the hood was powerful enough, especially new in the early ‘70s. This is the one I would have taken home if given the opportunity.

It may not have been as original as the other pickups before it, but this handsome 1978 Chevy – custom built for SEMA in 2013 – was finished in a two-tone red and black paint job, complete classic off-road wheels and tires, and a new 5.3-liter E-Rod crate V8 under the hood good for 336 horsepower (250 kilowatts) and 350 pound-feet (474 Newton-meters) of torque. 

On the road, apart from the more powerful engine and modern suspension, the pickup performed mostly original to its factory settings. The small wood-rimmed steering wheel enhanced the normally vague steering only slightly, and the flannel bench seats, though lovely, didn't exactly keep my rump planted in the typical driving position. Minor quirks aside, it was tons of fun.

You’ve likely seen this particular pickup on the road, maybe at your local home improvement store. But I can guarantee that none are as clean or as unique as the example pictured here. This was the last example off the production line in 2007, and Chevy was kind enough to allow us some time behind the wheel.

Eleven years after it was built, the 2007 Silverado had just 100 miles (160 kilometers) on the odometer when I jumped in the cabin. It was the very last example built on Chevy’s GMT800 platform, and was completely stock – under the hood remained the original 6.6-liter diesel V8 delivering 350 horsepower (260 kilowatts) and 650 pound-feet (881 Newton-meters) of torque. 

It may not be a classic, but this 2014 Chevy Cayenne concept has the potential to make some customers yearn after a performance Silverado. Built for the 2013 SEMA show, the short-bed Silverado was finished with the wheels and brakes off a Camaro Z/28, and a 6.2-liter V8 good for 420 horsepower (313 kilowatts) and 460 pound-feet (623 Newton-meters) of torque.

On the road, it was far from production ready. Ignoring the many warnings on the dash, the Silverado Cheyenne rocketed out onto the side streets outside of Texas Motor Speedway, putting all 420 horses to good use. Unrefined as it may have been – it was just a concept, after all – it was a good look at what could be in the Chevy lineup.