What years did Chevy make cat eye trucks?
Chevrolet's "cat eye" trucks refer to the late-1950s Task Force era pickups, produced from 1955 through 1959. The nickname is tied to the distinctive front-end styling that gave the trucks a cat-like look, with the most pronounced features appearing on the 1958 and 1959 models.
What defines the "cat eye" styling?
The term describes the era's curved and prominent fenders, rounded headlight openings, and bold grille that gave the nose a wide, cat-like gaze. It is a colloquial nickname rather than an official Chevy designation.
Model Years Included
The following years are commonly cited as the ones associated with the cat eye look on Chevrolet pickups, all within the Task Force generation.
- 1955
- 1956
- 1957
- 1958
- 1959
In practice, the strongest consensus centers on the 1958 and 1959 models, where the styling was most pronounced, but the entire 1955–1959 lineup is often grouped under the same nickname by collectors.
How to spot a cat eye Chevy truck
Look for the distinctive front-end cues of the late-1950s Task Force trucks: a broad grille, pronounced fender arches, and the era's characteristic headlight arrangement that led to the "cat eye" moniker. Consulting old brochures and serial-number databases can help confirm the year.
Summary
Chevrolet's cat eye trucks are a late-1950s styling coincidence tied to the 1955–1959 Task Force generation. If you're collecting or researching, focus on 1958 and 1959 for the peak cat-eye appearance, while recognizing that 1955–1957 share the same design language.
Why are cat eye chevys so popular?
This popularity is for several reasons, but mainly due to the Cateye Silverado models reflecting a combination of reliability, easy upgradeability, power, and style. You'll see collectors in Grayslake and beyond purchase these used pickups for off-roading, show, or speed.
What is considered a cat eye Chevy?
A "Cat Eye" Chevy refers to a specific body style of the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck produced from 2003 to 2006 (plus the 2007 "Classic" model). The nickname comes from its aggressive front-end design, featuring a wide grille and distinctive, sharp headlamps that resemble a cat's eyes. These trucks are known for their rugged appearance, reliable engine options (including the LBZ Duramax diesel), and being highly customizable.
You can watch this video to learn about the features and hype of the Cat Eye Chevy: 1mCustom OffsetsYouTube · May 8, 2020
Key features of the Cat Eye Chevy:
- Years: 2003–2006 and 2007 Classic models
- Nickname origin: The "cat eye" name comes from the front-end's aggressive styling, characterized by sharp, wide headlamps and grille.
- Engine options:
- Gasoline V8s, such as the 5.3L and 6.0L
- Diesel, including the popular and robust LBZ Duramax engine
- Popularity: The design is still considered timeless by enthusiasts, who appreciate its ability to be modified for various styles, from off-road builds to lowered street versions.
What year did they stop making cat eyes?
The term "Cateye" most commonly refers to the Chevrolet Silverado truck, which was produced from 2003 to 2006, with a "Classic" model also available for 2007. For cat-eye glasses, they have gone through periods of being out of style, but a full revival was building in the late 1990s and continued into the 2000s.
Chevrolet Silverado "Cateye"
- Stop year: The production of the Cateye Silverado ended after the 2006 model year. A "Classic" model was also produced for 2007, which was the last year for that particular design.
- Reason: Chevrolet redesigned the Silverado for the 2007 model year, which is why the Cateye features were no longer produced.
Cat-eye glasses
- Decline: The style's popularity waned in the 1970s and 1980s when oversized and round frames became more fashionable.
- Revival: A revival began with designers reinterpreting the classic shape in the 1980s and 1990s. The style returned to mainstream fashion in the early 2000s.
What year did Chevy have cat eyes?
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.
