What year did Chevy have cat eye headlights?
The short answer is that there isn’t a single official year Chevrolet released a “cat-eye” headlights package. The nickname is an enthusiast label most often applied to mid‑1950s Chevrolets, particularly the 1955–1957 models, where the lighting and surrounding chrome gave a curved, almond‑shaped look reminiscent of a cat’s eyes.
In more detail, the term does not appear in Chevrolet brochures or official option sheets. It’s a retrospective descriptor used by collectors and reviewers to describe a distinctive lighting silhouette from that era. This article looks at what that look means, which model years are most commonly cited, and how it fits into the broader history of GM styling.
Background: What the term signifies
The phrase “cat-eye” captures more than the headlights themselves; it refers to the overall lighting profile and its integration with fenders and chrome trim that creates an almond-shaped, feline impression. This styling is most closely associated with a mid‑1950s GM design language and is frequently connected to Chevrolet’s 1955–1957 passenger cars.
Models and Years Most Often Cited
Note that the following entries reflect common reference points among collectors and auction catalogs rather than official Chevrolet design documents.
- 1955 Chevrolet passenger cars (Bel Air, 210, and 150 series) — frequently cited for the cat-eye silhouette around the headlight and fender line.
- 1956 Chevrolet passenger cars (Bel Air, 210, and 150 series) — continued the curved lighting motif that earned the nickname.
- 1957 Chevrolet passenger cars (Bel Air, 210, and 150 series) — the last year of this mid‑1950s styling as the line moved toward newer designs.
In short, the cat-eye designation is a retrospective descriptor applied to these mid‑1950s Chevrolets and is not an official model or option code from Chevrolet.
Headlights vs. taillights: where the look shows up
Most references to the cat-eye look in Chevy lore focus on the front fender area around the headlights and the way the surrounding chrome and body lines form a curved silhouette. Some discussions also include rear taillight treatment as part of the broader “cat-eye” impression, but the term is primarily used in relation to front-end styling from that era.
How this era compares with later GM designs
After the late 1950s, GM shifted toward different styling directions, with changing headlight configurations and less emphasis on the distinctive cat-eye silhouette. The nickname persists mainly among vintage‑car enthusiasts and historians as a shorthand for a specific mid‑1950s look rather than a formal Chevrolet feature.
Summary
The cat-eye headlights label is an informal descriptor tied to Chevrolet’s mid‑1950s styling, especially the 1955–1957 Bel Air, 210, and 150 series. There is no official year or option labeled “cat-eye” in Chevrolet’s documentation. If you’re evaluating a classic Chevy for this look, focus on the front fender/ headlight area and accompanying chrome, which embody the era that enthusiasts associate with the cat-eye nickname.
What year did Chevy trucks have cat eye headlights?
Produced from 2003 to 2006, the Cat Eye Chevy represents the midcycle-refreshed version of the first-generation, GMT800-based Chevrolet Silverado. The Cat Eye nickname comes from the distinctively slanted headlight design.
When did Chevy go to Cat Eye?
The "Cat Eye" Chevy Silverado began in 2003 with a mid-cycle refresh that included new, slanted headlights. The name refers to the distinct look of the headlights, and these trucks were produced from 2003 to 2006, with the 2007 Silverado Classic also falling under this nickname.
- Start Year: The redesign, which earned the "Cat Eye" nickname, was introduced for the 2003 model year.
- Production Years: "Cat Eye" Silverados were produced from 2003 through 2006.
- 2007 "Classic" Model: The 2007 model year also includes the "Cat Eye" nickname for the Silverado Classic, which was the previous generation still in production alongside the all-new 2007 model.
What year are the bubble eyes Chevy?
The "bubble eye" Chevy refers to the first-generation Silverado and similar trucks, primarily the model years 1999–2002. This styling was replaced by the "Cat Eye" design, which featured more slanted headlights, in 2003.
You can watch this video to see a tour of a 2001 Chevy Silverado: 1mMatt's ShopYouTube · Jun 27, 2025
- Bubble Eye: The 1999–2002 model years, known for a distinct round headlight design.
- Transition: The "bubble eye" design was used for the first three years of the first-generation Silverado.
- Cat Eye: The updated "Cat Eye" design was introduced for the 2003 model year and continued through 2006.
What was the last year of the cat eye Chevy?
However, the so-called Cateye design on the Silverado did not stick around particularly long, with Chevrolet only manufacturing trucks with those distinctive headlights between 2003 and 2007, with 2007 sporting the Cateye for just some of the trims.
