How much did the first Chevy truck cost?
The first Chevrolet truck cost about $1,000 in 1913 dollars, roughly $28,000 in today’s money depending on the inflation measure used.
Context and Launch Pricing
Chevrolet entered the truck market as part of its early expansion into commercial vehicles in the 1910s. While exact figures vary by source, historians consistently note the price position as a crucial factor in Chevrolet's strategy to offer affordable, durable work trucks.
This brief list highlights the core facts surrounding the first Chevrolet truck and its cost.
- Circa 1913: Chevrolet introduced its first light delivery/utility trucks as part of its early commercial lineup.
- Initial price: Approximately $1,000 in 1913 dollars.
- Inflation-adjusted: Roughly $28,000–$30,000 in today's dollars, depending on the inflation measure used.
- Purpose: Designed to serve small businesses and tradespeople who needed affordable, dependable transport.
- Legacy: This price point helped establish Chevrolet as a maker of practical, mass-market work vehicles, a lineage that continues in today’s pickups.
In summary, the first Chevy truck price was about $1,000 in 1913 dollars. The price today, adjusted for inflation, sits in the upper $20,000s to around $30,000 range, depending on the calculator used.
Legacy and Market Context
The story of Chevrolet’s first truck is part of a broader pattern in American automotive history: automakers expanding from passenger cars into affordable light commercial vehicles to serve growing small-business demand in the early 20th century.
For readers seeking a deeper dive, historians point to archival catalogs, GM Heritage Center materials, and reliable automotive history references that document Chevrolet’s early commercial lineup and pricing.
Notes on Historical Prices
Prices from the era were listed in dollars of the time; comparisons with modern prices require inflation adjustment for context.
Summary
Chevrolet’s first truck carried a price tag of about $1,000 in 1913 dollars, marking a milestone in affordable, mass-market commercial vehicles. Inflation-adjusted estimates place the modern value in the mid-to-high $20,000s or around $30,000 today, depending on the measure used.
Ultimately, the initial price and the vehicle’s purpose underscored Chevrolet’s strategy to appeal to everyday buyers and small businesses—a strategy that continues to define the brand’s truck lineup today.
