Loading

What are 60 to 66 Chevy trucks called?

They are Chevrolet C/K pickup trucks from 1960–1966, collectively known as the C/K generation. The C prefix denotes two-wheel-drive models and the K prefix denotes four-wheel-drive models, with common lines including C10, C20, C30 and their K-series counterparts.


Naming and scope of the C/K era


GM redesigned its light-duty pickups for the 1960 model year, shifting from the earlier Task Force styling to the C/K generation. The 1960–1966 Chevrolets are celebrated for their rounded-off body styling and the modern pickup platform they introduced, a design approach that evolved into the following decade’s variations. Beginning with 1967, GM updated the styling again, popularizing what collectors call the “square-body” look that followed the 1960–66 rounder design.


Model lines and payload designations


Before listing the main model lines, here is how to read the badges and payload designations on these trucks.



  • C10, C20, C30: two-wheel-drive variants representing 1/2-ton, 3/4-ton, and 1-ton payload capabilities.

  • K10, K20, K30: four-wheel-drive equivalents of the same payload categories.

  • Notes: Availability of engines, trims, and exact specs varied by year and market; some configurations are rarer in certain years.


These lines define the core variants of the 1960–66 Chevrolet pickups and help collectors and restorers identify the correct model family.


Why this generation matters today


Placed between the earlier Task Force era and the 1967 square-body redesign, the 1960–1966 C/K trucks occupy a distinctive niche in GM’s truck history. They’re favored by enthusiasts for their classic styling, modifiability, and the historical bridge they represent in GM’s light-truck evolution.


Summary


The 1960–1966 Chevrolet pickups are commonly referred to as the C/K generation, with C and K denoting two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations and 10/20/30 indicating payload classes. This era set the stage for GM’s mid-century truck design before the 1967 redesign introduced the square-body styling that followed.

What are 60s Chevy trucks called?


The first generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors from the 1960 to 1966 model years. Marketed by both the Chevrolet and GMC divisions, the C/K trucks replaced the previous Task Force generation of trucks.



What do LS and LT stand for?


LS and LT most commonly stand for Luxury Sport and Luxury Touring respectively, referring to different trim levels of General Motors (GM) vehicles, with LT being a higher, more feature-rich trim than the base LS model. For GM engines, LS is a designation for an earlier generation of engines, while LT is for newer, more advanced, and direct-injection engines that have largely replaced the LS.
 
Vehicle trim levels

  • LS (Luxury Sport): This is typically the base or entry-level trim for many Chevrolet models. It offers essential features and is the most budget-friendly option. 
  • LT (Luxury Touring): This trim level is one step above the LS and includes more luxury and convenience features. Upgrades often include things like larger wheels, heated seats, advanced infotainment systems, and other amenities. 

Engine designations
  • LS: This refers to an older generation of GM V8 engines, which are still popular for swaps but are less advanced than the newer LT engines. 
  • LT: This refers to a newer generation of GM engines that feature direct injection, leading to better efficiency and performance. They are more advanced and are designed to replace the LS engine series. 



What makes the '65 Chevy truck iconic?


💪🔥Smooth chrome lines… factory body curves… and that classic stance that never gets old. This isn't just a pickup — this was work…



What are the old Chevy trucks called?


Old Chevy truck names include the C/K Series, Silverado (which replaced the C/K), Advance Design (1947–1955), Task Force (1955–1959), and the Apache (a name used for light-duty trucks within the C/K series until 1960). Other names and models include the 3100, El Camino, Corvair, and LUV.
 
Classic and long-running names

  • C/K Series: A long-running line of trucks (1960-2002) where "C" designated two-wheel drive and "K" indicated four-wheel drive. 
  • Silverado: Replaced the C/K series in 1999 and is the name for many modern Chevy trucks. 
  • Advance Design: A popular pre-1955 generation, often remembered for its distinct horizontal bar grille (1947-1953). 
  • Task Force: The name for the trucks produced after the Advance Design era (1955-1959). 

Model-specific and trim-level names
  • 3100: A popular half-ton model within the Advance Design series, produced from 1947 to 1953. 
  • Apache: A specific name used for light-duty trucks in the first generation of the C/K series until 1960. 
  • 3100 and 3200: These model numbers were replaced by C/K designations like C10 and C20 in 1960. 
  • Cheyenne, Scottsdale, and Silverado: These were trim levels available on C/K trucks, with Silverado being the top-tier option. 
  • 454 SS: A special high-performance model produced during the 1988-1998 C/K generation. 
  • S-10: A smaller truck model that was in production for a number of years. 

Other names
  • El Camino: A car-based pickup truck model. 
  • Corvair: An air-cooled car that was also produced as a "Greenbrier" van and a "Rampside" pickup truck.
  • LUV: The name for a compact truck manufactured by Isuzu and sold by Chevrolet in the US from 1972 to 1982. 

0:49Chevy Silverado secret! Every one of these trucks have a factory name ...FacebookCarl's Garage · 1y 1:18Hidden easter egg on cateye truck’s😳 What’s your trucks name & birthd...TikTokzac.lucarz · 2y 1:14Discovering My Chevy Truck's Secret NameTikTokthatkswappedek · 1y (function(){
(this||self).Bqpk9e=function(f,d,n,e,k,p){var g=document.getElementById(f);if(g&&(g.offsetWidth!==0||g.offsetHeight!==0)){var l=g.querySelector("div"),h=l.querySelector("div"),a=0;f=Math.max(l.scrollWidth-l.offsetWidth,0);if(d>0&&(h=h.children,a=h[d].offsetLeft-h[0].offsetLeft,e)){for(var m=a=0;m


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.