| Pickup trucks are standard equipment for most | | | | the passenger cars Chevy released that year. |
| hardworking people around the world. Trucks | | | | Customers were expected to buy or build the |
| have come a long way since the early days of | | | | cab and body of the truck separately for the first |
| horse-drawn wagons. Today, new and used | | | | pickup models. |
| trucks are status symbols as well as working | | | | Chevrolet also produced a one-ton truck in 1918, |
| tools. Truck options range from being compact | | | | called the Model T, which was a burlier version of |
| with two seats, to oversized models with king | | | | their passenger car chassis and frame. For many |
| cabs. | | | | years, pickup trucks remained hybrid versions of |
| Just like the automobile, the pickup truck was first | | | | the passenger cars that Chevrolet sold. Eventually, |
| developed in the United States. Chevrolet was the | | | | though, the need for stronger trucks made it |
| innovative company that first mass produced | | | | necessary to create the pickups from scratch. |
| pickup trucks, and their Chevy and GMC truck | | | | Chevrolet and GMC began to produce trucks |
| lines are still thriving today. In the early 1900s the | | | | separately from passenger cars so that they |
| automobile was still a novelty. People still relied on | | | | could focus on exactly what their customers |
| horse-drawn open wagons and carts to carry | | | | needed. |
| around their heavy cargo. | | | | Many different types of trucks were created to |
| The automobile engines and designs didn't readily | | | | meet the different needs of customers. Small, |
| lend themselves to carrying around large loads. | | | | light trucks were developed for people who didn't |
| They were relegated mostly to the role of large | | | | need to carry heavy loads. Larger trucks with |
| toys for the wealthy. A farmer or construction | | | | more horsepower were put to work by |
| worker could hitch up as many horses as | | | | companies that carried larger loads. The pickup |
| necessary to handle the biggest loads, and he | | | | trucks of today range from sporty and fun to |
| could drive his horse-truck over almost any | | | | heavy duty workhorses. |
| terrain necessary. It took several years before | | | | The useful nature of an open pickup truck bed |
| passenger car manufacturers began to think of | | | | has caused many consumers to trade in their |
| an alternative to these. | | | | used cars for used trucks. Chevrolet and GMC |
| In 1918, Chevrolet produced the first assembly | | | | have extensive lines of trucks with a variety of |
| line pickup truck. The Chevrolet Model 490 Light | | | | features. Most of the truck models today come |
| Delivery truck sported a tall, narrow cab in front | | | | with all of the comforts of luxury cars. Leather |
| of a low, flat truck bed, and carried 1/2 ton | | | | seats, high-tech instruments, and climate controls |
| payloads. The instrument panel, seats, and | | | | are an extra bonus in these modern work |
| steering wheel were exactly the same as those in | | | | vehicles. |