Chevy Trucks

When William Durant (Billy) and Louis Chevrolet began selling Chevrolet cars in November 1911, actually the 1912 model year, their new company was not part of General Motors. Formerly Billy was head of GM, a company he founded in 1908, but had been forced out by the company's bankers who considered him unfit to run an enterprise the size of GM. Durant started the Chevrolet Motor Company on November 3, 1911. His long term strategy was to long

This 1918 Chevrolet 490 Light Delivery chassis cowl was the first truck model Chevrolet built. The chassis cowl consists of the painted metal parts. The wooden cab and pickup-type body were purchased from an aftermarket manufacturer. It was rated for a payload capacity of 1,000lbs. and sold for $595 retail. (Photo: Tom Snively)

term strategy was to use Chevrolet to regain control of General Motors. He reasoned he could accomplish his goal by quickly growing the new company into a very successful and profitable enterprise. The profits generated thereby would be used to purchase GM stock until he had a controlling interest. His inspiration was Mr. Ford whose Model T had proven to be successful beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Billy figured he could take Ford on and win with a competing low priced auto. Chevrolet cars sold well enough and generated profits such that by 1916 he controlled 54.5 percent of GM stock. He walked into GM and declared himself president.

The other new truck from Chevrolet in 1918 was the one-ton Model T "Ton Truck". It had a payload capacity rating of 2,000lbs and sold for $1245 retail. Chevrolet built only the chassis cowl and the buyer purchased a body from a manufacturer. A 1920 model is shown at left. This body was called a Covered Flareboard In the center is a 1925 Ford TT one-ton stake and on the right is a 1955 Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton chassis cab with Farm Body. (Photo: Everett Nebergall)