Chevrolet Usa CK Truck First generation 1960–1966
The C/K was Chevrolet and GMC's full-size pickup truck line from 1960 until 1998 in the United States, from 1965 to 1999 in Canada, from 1964 to 2001 in Brazil, and from 1975 to 1982 in Chile.
The first Chevrolet pickup truck came out in 1924, though in-house designs did not appear until 1930. "C" indicated two-wheel drive and "K" indicated four-wheel drive. The aging C/K light-duty pickup truck was replaced with the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra names in 1999 in the US and Canada, and 2001 in Brazil; the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD heavy-duty pickup trucks followed. Until this time, the names Silverado and Sierra were used to identify the trim level of the C/K trucks.
For the first Chevrolet C Series, made from 1911 to 1913, see Chevrolet Series C Classic Six (the first Chevy).
| Chevrolet/GMC C/K | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet/GMC (General Motors) |
| Also called | GMC C/K |
| Production | 1960–1998 (United States) 1965–2000 (Canada) 1964–2001 (Brazil) 1975–1982 (Chile) 1960–1978/1986–1994 (Argentina Sevel) 1960-present (Korea and China/East Asia) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size pickup truck |
| Body style | 2-door regular cab 2-door extended cab 3-door extended cab 4-door crew cab |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Task Force |
| Successor | Chevrolet Silverado |
First generation 1960–1966
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Also called | Chevrolet: – C10/K10 – C20/K20 – C30 – C40 to C80 (medium- & heavy-duty models) GMC: – 1000/K1000 – 1500/K1500 – 2500 – 3000 to 6500 (medium- & heavy-duty models) |
| Production | 1960–1966 |
| Assembly | Pontiac West Assembly, Pontiac, Michigan Dover, England Seoul, South Korea Shanghai, China Oshawa, Ontario |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Chevrolet Suburban |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 230 in3 (3.8 L) I6 236 in3 (3.9 L) I6 250 in3 (4.1 L) I6 261 in3 (4.3 L) I6 292 in3 (4.8 L) I6 305 in3 (5.0 L) V6 283 in3 (4.6 L) V8 327 in3 (5.3 L) V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed synchromesh manual 4-speed synchromesh manual 2-speed Powerglide automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 115 in (2,921 mm) (short box: ½-ton models) 127 in (3,226 mm) (long box: ½-ton & ¾-ton models) 133 in (3,378 mm) (1-ton models) |
| Length | 186.875 in (4,747 mm) SWB 206 in (5,232 mm) Standard 216.25 in (5,493 mm) LWB |
| Width | 78.75 in (2,000 mm) |
| Height | 71.25 in (1,810 mm) |
The 1960 model year introduced a new body style of light pick-up truck that featured many firsts. Most important of these were a drop-center ladder frame, allowing the cab to sit lower, and independent front suspension, giving an almost car-like ride in a truck. Also new for 1960 was a new designation system for trucks made by GM. Gone were the 3100, 3200, and 3600 designations for short 1/2, long 1/2 and 3/4-ton models. Instead, a new scheme assigned a 10, 20, or 30 for 1/2, 3/4, and 1-ton models. Since 1957, trucks were available from the factory as four-wheel drive, and the new class scheme would make this known. A C (conventional) in front of the series number indicates two-wheel rear drive while a K denotes four-wheel drive.
Actual badging on Chevrolet trucks carried the series name system from the previous generation in 1960 and 1961: the 10, 20, 30, and 40 series (C and K) were badged as "Apaches", 50 and 60 series trucks were badged as "Vikings", and the largest 70 and 80 series models were marked "Spartans". In 1960, C/K trucks were available in smooth "Fleetside" or fendered "Stepside" versions. GMC called these "Wide-Side" and "Fenderside." Half-ton models were the C10 and K10 long-bed and short-bed trucks, and The 3/4-ton C20 and K20, as well as the one-ton C30, were also available. GMC did not use the "C" nomenclature, though their 4x4 versions had the "K" designation. GMC model numbers for 1/2, 3/4, 1, and 1.5 ton were 1000, 1500, 2500, and 3000. The 1.5 ton Chevrolet C40 and GMC 3000, which were using the light-duty cab (but only as chassis-cab and stake models), were discontinued for the 1963 model year.
The 1960, 1961, and 1962 models used torsion bar front suspensions, with trailing arm suspension rears. Trim lines were base and "Custom." Engines included the base GMC 305 in3 V6 for the GMC version, 135 hp (101 kW) 236 in3 (3.9 L) and 150 hp (112 kW) 261 in3 (4.3 L) straight-6s, and a 283 in3(4.6 L) V8 with 185 hp (119 kW). A coil-spring front suspension came in 1963, along with a new base engine, a 140 hp (104 kW) 230 in3 (3.8 L) I6, and an optional 165 hp (123 kW) 292 in3 (4.8 L) I6. The cab was changed for 1964, with elimination of the "wraparound" windshield and a new front grille design, along with various interior changes, keeping the original design on the body. Air conditioning and a 220 hp (164 kW) 327 in3 (5.3 L) V8 came in 1965. A new base engine finished the model in 1966 with a 155 hp (116 kW) 250 in3 (4.1 L) I6.
Medium- & heavy-duty models
Medium-duty trucks were:
- 1½-ton Chevrolet C40 / GMC 3000 (1960–62), with the light-duty cab;
- Chevrolet C50 and C60;
- GMC 3500, 4000 and 5000.
Heavy-duty trucks were:
- Chevrolet C60-H (a C60 with a heavier GVWR: 22,000 lbs instead of 19,500 lbs), C70 (1960–61) and C80;
- Chevrolet tandem rear axle models M60 (1963–66), M70 (1960–61) and M80 (1962–66);
- GMC 5500, 6000 and 6500;
- GMC tandem rear axle models W5000, W5500 and W6500.