What was the Chevy Cheyenne package?
The Chevy Cheyenne package was Chevrolet's premium trim level for its light-duty pickups in the 1970s and early 1980s, often paired with distinctive two-tone paint, bright trim, and upgraded interiors; a higher-spec Cheyenne Super variant existed as well.
In practice, the Cheyenne name signified a mid- to high-range option group across the C/K truck lineup, signaling more styling flair, comfort features, and badges that set these models apart from standard work-truck trims. The exact features and availability varied by year and model, as GM refreshed its pickups through the era before the Silverado branding consolidated the lineup in later years.
Origins and naming
Before the titles and badges became well known to collectors, Chevrolet used the Cheyenne name as a way to market a more upscale pickup experience. The package was designed to appeal to buyers who wanted a truck that looked and felt more like a personal-use vehicle while still delivering the practicality of a light-duty pickup.
Early years and branding
The Cheyenne line appeared in the first wave of premium-trim options for Chevrolet trucks in the 1970s, offering more chrome, two-tone color schemes, and upgraded interior materials compared with standard models. The name outlived simple “Deluxe” or “Custom” packages to become a recognizable badge of style on many C/K trucks.
Cheyenne vs. Cheyenne Super
Within the same family, the Cheyenne Super designation denoted an even higher level of equipment, with additional comfort and aesthetic enhancements beyond the base Cheyenne package. The two packages shared many styling cues, but the Super version aimed at buyers seeking maximum luxury and presence from a pickup.
Features and equipment
To understand what set Cheyenne apart, it helps to look at the typical enhancements that distinguished these trucks from more basic models. The list below covers common elements that appeared on many Cheyenne and Cheyenne Super trucks, though exact contents varied by year and body style.
- Exterior styling: two-tone paint schemes, bright exterior trim, unique grilles, and sometimes special badging.
- Interior upgrades: upgraded upholstery (often vinyl or cloth in premium combos), enhanced instrument clusters, and in some years woodgrain or simulated wood accents.
- Seating and comfort: bucket seats and floor consoles were more common in Cheyenne/cheyenne Super configurations, along with upgraded carpeting and interior trim.
- Convenience and options: power accessories, upgraded sound systems, better climate control packages, and occasionally leather or leather-like upholstery (depending on year and market).
- Underpinnings: some Cheyenne models received upgraded suspension or handling features as part of the package, though the core mechanicals largely mirrored standard C/K trucks of the era.
Cheyenne models were not a single, universal specification set; instead they represented a family of option packages that Chevrolet adjusted across generations, with the Super variant offering the most expansive equipment list.
Variations across generations
The Cheyenne designation appeared across multiple generations of Chevrolet pickups, particularly within the C/K family that spanned from the late 1960s into the 1980s. The exact equipment and appearance evolved with each generation as GM updated engines, transmissions, and interior layouts.
1970s C/K trucks
In this period, Cheyenne and Cheyenne Super packages emphasized visual flair and interior comfort, aligning with mid- to late-1970s market expectations for more refined pickups that could serve as both work vehicle and lifestyle truck.
Early 1980s updates
As GM refreshed the truck line in the early 1980s, the Cheyenne branding persisted in various markets and body styles, but content varied by model (C10, C20, 4x4 configurations, etc.). The broader shift toward the Silverado branding would begin to influence trim strategy in the years that followed.
Across these generations, the Cheyenne family remained a recognizable symbol of a higher-trim Chevrolet pickup, with the Super variant typically representing the top tier of the package family.
Identification and legacy
If you’re trying to identify a Cheyenne or Cheyenne Super on a classic Chevy pickup, look for distinctive badges, styling cues, and interior details that align with the era’s premium trims. The following tips help differentiate Cheyenne models from more basic versions.
- Badging: Cheyenne or Cheyenne Super emblems on doors or the bed are common identifiers, often alongside two-tone paint cues.
- Exterior styling: chrome-heavy grilles, bright trim on the beltline and around wheels, and two-tone color schemes are typical markers.
- Interior cues: upgraded seats (often bucket seats), unique instrument clusters, and premium interior materials can indicate a Cheyenne package.
- Model-year variations: the exact mix of features changes by year, so cross-checking the build sheet or dealer documents can confirm specifics.
- Collector awareness: today, Cheyenne and Cheyenne Super are notable to collectors for their distinctive styling and the nostalgia they carry for a certain era of American pickups.
Because Chevrolet used the Cheyenne name across several generations and configurations, precise equipment lists can vary. When evaluating a specific truck, consult the VIN/Build Sheet and window sticker to confirm which package was installed at the factory.
Summary
The Chevy Cheyenne package stood as Chevrolet’s premium trim for its light-duty pickups during the 1970s and into the early 1980s, signaling a more stylish, better-equipped alternative to the base models. The Cheyenne Super variant represented an even higher level of luxury and equipment. Across generations, the exact contents and styling evolved, but the core idea remained: a truck designed to blend practical work capability with elevated comfort and road presence. Today, Cheyenne models are valued by collectors for their distinctive look and historical place in the evolution of Chevrolet pickups.
