Few vehicles have achieved the sort of legendary status as the Chevy truck line. For more than 100 years, Chevrolet has offered tough, work-ready vehicles to get the job done, and now, the Bow Tie brand is recognizing that history in a new series dubbed “Legends of Chevy Trucks.” This time around, the 1962 C/K Series is under the spotlight.
As a brief aside, the “Legends of Chevy Trucks” series comes from the Chevrolet New Roads Magazine and General Motors Heritage Center, the latter of which provides a blast from the past with a variety of period-correct literature and artifacts. As GM Authority covered previously, the series has also covered the 1955 Task Force line of fleet Chevy trucks, but now, we’re taking a look at the 1962 C/K Series.
First introduced for the 1960 model year, the C/K Series improved on the preceding Task Force Series in terms of performance and practicality. In addition, the line provided new exterior styling that would eventually become an iconic look for American pickups.
By 1962, the C/K Series really started to shine. With a dropped frame and lower load height, plus an independent front suspension and roomy cab, these Chevy trucks were quite attractive to consumers, with brochures from the era claiming that the improvements would provide “more money-making trips per day on even the tightest schedules,” as well as “many more work- and money-saving features.”
Under the hood, the 1962 C/K Series Chevy trucks came equipped as standard with a 235 Six producing 135 horsepower and 216 pound-feet of torque, but for a few extra bucks, buyers could upgrade to a 4.6L V8 with 160 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.
Inside, drivers and passengers alike stayed comfortable thanks to a wide bench seat with available six-inch foam cushions, combining comfort and convenience with a strong work ethic. Customers could also add a variety of comfort and convenience features now included as standard on modern Chevy trucks, such as seat belts, sun visors, windshield washers, and a heater.
The C/K Series Chevy trucks offered either a Fleetside of Stepside configuration. A lower hood design provided enhanced visibility, while six paint options (including two-tone combos) provided customization opportunities.
Are you a fan of the C/K Series? Let us know your thoughts on these legendary Chevy trucks in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet C/K news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
The step side is cool with its wood floor ,The Corvair rampside should be on the list .fold down side ramp one could drive a small atv in to the bed. Need to see more Corvair’s on gm authority
I have a 1972 c10 Chevy truck I’ve restored it and nothing beats a Chevy love them.
Jonathan Lopez, thanks so much for the article. You have spotlighted my exact vehicle ’62 Chevy C10 Stepside in Red!!! Finally, after many years are those 60-63 models (final years with wraparound front glass) coming to the spotlight. Owned it for about 15 years and knew it’s time would come; they are super tough looking/working trucks. I also own a 55 & 57 Stepsides, and an 86 Fleetside Short bed Squarebody. Chevy all the way!🤟
I’ve always loved Chevy pickups, my first was a 1967. Kept it for probably 15 years, wish I still had it. I’m into the 1988-98 bodies just now. I have 2 90′ & 92′. In my opinion the best era for ride, durability, and ease of maintenance. Gotta be a 5 speed though…
91 Chevy stepside P/U 5 speed. Kept it for 11 years. The only problem I had was the paint on the roof and hood after two years. Must have had a bad batch of paint that day they made it. GM took care of by painting the whole truck. The dealer did a good job.
still driving my Grandfathers 1966 235, 6 cylinder stepwise. Just painted it Omaha Orange. Great daily driver.
The old school stepsides are the bomb. My dad had a 1960. Got me started on my life long stepside ownership. Mine were all 4×4 short box. Wish we could still purchase them new. Maybe GM will listen to the consumer demand, and start to issue them again. How kool would that be?
I’ve had my 1966 c10 for 26 years fleet side short bed just love the lines of the truck. Absolutely timeless
I just got a 2000 Chevy Silverado 4 by 4 auto trans I love the truck does anyone know what to do about the engine light allways comes on after I get gas and the 3rd brake light doesn’t work how do I check to see if there is power to the light any ideas would be great I’m trying to get it through inspection in 2 days
Joseph, the first thing that comes to mind about the engine light coming on after getting gas, is the gas cap seal. If the seal or the filler neck look iffy, you can try replacing the cap/removing roughness on filler neck. You can have a close look at the 3rd brake light bulb. If the filament looks intact, try snapping a fingernail against the bulb while watching to see if it remains in place. Or just replace it. Checking power to it is easily done with a simple test light, with the bulb removed. (A bulb you know to be good works as a test light, so maybe do that first. Maybe your truck uses an LED light arrangement there, in which case you have to use a test light. But the brake pedal has to be pushed on for the test, so you need an assistant or some means of holding the brake on.
I have a 2000 chevy 2500 4×4 love the truck tremendously, but the brake system is junk to me,the front pads are to small for that size truck,any upgrades available, for better stopping power,,,,,
Still driving my dad’s 64 fleetside. Re-did the wood bed & thru in a 350 automatic trans, that hooked up to the original straight 6 easily. All my brothers drove this truck during our times in high sch. People always comment, isn’t that your dads old truck.
My first truck was a 1955 Chevy truck, wish I still had it , then my 2nd truck was a 1972 , then a 1977, then a 1978gmc , then a 1986 , 1993, 1995 then a 2000hd , I love Chevy trucks , now I have a 2007 HD duramax, 2006 duramax, and a 2015 HD gas work truck , soon a 2021 duramax dually, go chevy !!
Was there any Chevy truck that was not great looking from the 1930s thru 2000? Had ’76 step side and ’90 short beds with manual trans. Now have 2014 rcsb but unfortunately no manual. The 1990 had paint issues of flaking. Was white and had to wash very carefully so not to hose paint off. Size, height and ride were great.
Nope, you’re correct. Chevrolet used to have the best looking trucks in the industry hands down. Literally all the way to 2002. There was several decades where Chevy outsold Ford all by itself Without adding in the GM rebadged sibling. It was in 2003 that they ruined their spotless heritage with the angry china man front end. Then the bizarre flared fendered mess with plastic bumper end caps they came out with it 2007 just ruined it for good. The slight redemption for the square body throwback in 14/15 has been the only bright spot but not enough to overcome the damage done.
I own three Chevy trucks. A 99 s-10, 96 1500 Cheyenne, I drive daily and my father-in-law s 64 fleet side which he bought in 1967. It is all original except for upgrades to things that were broke or worn out. Still has the original wood bed. Would not have any other truck than a Chevy.
I have an 80 GMC Sierra 3500 with a 12′ dumpbed, an 89 Chevy 3500 with an 11′ flatbed, 2000 Chevy 3500 crewcab with a utility bed, and a 96 GMC Suburban K1500 SLT. All of them are great trucks that are used daily for business and pleasure. Love the fact that I can work on them myself.
I have a 2004 Duramax has1million 222 thousand kms on it still runs great original engine body still in good shape have driven it from Edmonton to Prudoe Bay, it is a northern Canadian truck and has had many trips up the Dempster Hwy I am a confirmed Chevy girl wouldn’t have anything else
Memories, by far the best of the straight body trucks. I currently own a 1960 GMC SB and a 61 SBSS. Both are cool trucks.
I was surprised at the claim in the ad that the 235 had powered more payloads than any other truck engine in history. I also noted in the ad confirmation of something I thought was the case – the 283 V8 wasn’t the only available upgrade from the 235. The heavy duty 261 inline 6 provided more power and torque than the 235. I drove a 235 powered Chevy after being used to the 261 in my 55 Canadian Pontiac, and its grunt suffered by comparison.
I Actually Own this exact truck. My great Aunt left it to me, Which she barely drove .. less then 66 k Original miles all Matching Numbers. .. This truck by Far is the Most reliable Truck ever. It Rides Smooth an Drives even Better! Love how it Takes me back in time!
77 Chevy C10, “Big 10” is my current daily driver. No emissions on big 10 just pcv into edelbrock 4 bbl on edelbrock intake breather cap open air cleaner manifold vacuum advance. Muncie SM 465 with the granny 1st gear and reverse 12 bolt rear dif with 3.73 gearing. I could go on and on, rebuilt front end…first.turn start year round. I’m in CO so carb is tuned for altitude. 4 bags of sand and good tires in winter weather and I’ve never been stuck. Bought it for $500 8 years ago did all the work myself on weekends as a hobby. Built in my home town of Janesville, WI in a plant that’s not there anymore.
My son might take it back to original when I pass but he’ll gave the luxury of not having to take it to work on Monday no matter what he tore into Friday night. I love this truck.
IMO Chevy trucks didn’t look good from 55-73, it was a gargoyle contest between GM and Ford for truck ugliness then, F- Series didn’t look good from 51-80′ so I guess Ford won……..
Sorry!!!!!! You are soooo wrong! Chevy trucks, ’67-’72, and ’73 -’87, are some of the most iconic styles EVER built. You must have been a MOPAR guy back then. And NO, Ford never won! The only thing GM did that was not so kool, was changing the body style, starting in 1988. They have not been so hot since then. If they brought back the “Square Body” look again, GM would outsell Ram and Ford together. Keep on truckin’
Obvious you don’t think past your shoes, I did say Ford won the ugly contest and yes Dodge was ugly then too but didn’t move as much trucks as GM and Ford. IMO International had the cleanest lines for half-tons back then. But just like then as it is today real men don’t buy trucks on looks nor interiors either.
I’m sorry the 60’s cars were gorgeous compared to the 50’s. But these trucks were ugly.
Hey Guys. I’m sooo invious! Because you can buy some Pickup Truck where ever you es want. Here in Germany we Just have this little Pickup – Cars ! Can’t say Truck! It’s Like Play mobil !
I’ve needed about 15 years to get a 93 Chevy C 2500 in good condition. I’m very proud at this Truck and I drive it every day!
It’s very difficult to get a old Truck in this condition for low price. The Tax is to high!
Greetings from Germany! Stay healthy an enjoy the Life!
I still own a 62 apache. I loved this truck. It doesn’t run any more but I won’t part with it. I still love my Chevys.
Jonathan Lopez, thanks so much for the article. You have spotlighted my exact vehicle ’62 Chevy C10 Stepside in Red!!! Finally, after many years are those 60-63 models (final years with wraparound front glass) coming to the spotlight. Owned it for about 15 years and knew it’s time would come; they are super tough looking/working trucks. I also own a 55 & 57 Stepsides, and an 86 Fleetside Short bed Squarebody. Chevy all the way!🤟