Chassis

1960 Chevrolet Apache C20

1963 Chevrolet C10 Stepside

The first-generation C/K trucks are built using body-on-frame construction. Diverging from light truck design precedent, the C/K ended its use of straight frame rails, adopting a drop-center design; 1⁄2-ton and 3⁄4-ton trucks used a hybrid of an X-frame and perimeter-frame layout, while 1-ton trucks used a drop-center ladder frame.^[8][9]

While more complex in design, the drop-center frame was stronger (necessitated by the upgraded suspension);^[8] the all-new layout also accommodated many upgrades, including mounting the cab seven inches lower; coinciding with easier entry, the redesign allowed for a lower center of gravity and improved stability.^[7][8][9]

Pickup trucks were offered in three wheelbases: 115 in (2,921 mm) for 1⁄2-ton trucks with 6.5 ft (2.0 m) beds, 127 in (3,226 mm) for 1⁄2- and 3⁄4-ton trucks with 8 ft (2.4 m) beds, and 133 in (3,378 mm) for 1-ton trucks with 9 ft (2.7 m) beds.^[10]

Body design

1965 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside

In line with the Task Force series and its predecessors, the first-generation C/K was offered solely with a two-door cab configuration. The straight-sided Fleetside bed made its return alongside the traditional fendered Stepside bed (GMC Wideside and Fenderside, respectively).

Both the Fleetside and Stepside were offered 61⁄2-foot and 8-foot bed lengths; a 9-foot bed length was exclusive to Stepside pickups.^[10]

For 1962, the hood was restyled, eliminating the large oval air intakes above a revised grille; two small intake slots were added along with front turn signals above the grille; for 1963, the grille underwent an additional revision.^[8]

For 1964, the cab underwent a major update. While sharing the roof and floor structure, the windshield and A-pillar were redesigned, eliminating the intrusive "dogleg" (requiring new set of door stampings); the redesign also brought a change to the dashboard and door panels.^[18][19]

From 1965 to 1966, the model line saw few fundamental changes to the body, with air conditioning became an option for the first time.^[20]

Trim

1960 GMC 1000

1965-1966 GMC 1000 "Wideside"

A nomenclature introduced by GMC, the C/K trucks were part of a wider naming system used by General Motors, as P denoted a forward-control chassis (used for delivery trucks), L was for low-cab COE, M was for tandem-axle conventional, and S denoted a cowled (school bus) chassis.

1⁄2-ton models were the C10 and K10 long-bed and short-bed trucks, and the 3⁄4-ton C20 and K20, as well as the one-ton C30, were also available.

Utility vehicles

1962 GMC Suburban Carryall Custom

Chevrolet Veraneio (Brazil, 1964-1988)

The first-generation C/K formed the basis of the fifth-generation Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Carryall. Competing against the International Travelall and the Jeep Wagoneer, the Suburban became a Chevrolet nameplate (as GMC adopted the Carryall nameplate). Sharing the mechanical upgrades of the C/K truck chassis, the Suburban received factory fitment of four-wheel drive, independent front suspension on rear-wheel drive "C" models, and continued to share body and mechanical commonality with its pickup counterpart.

While marketed solely as a two-door utility wagon, the Suburban was offered in 1⁄2-ton 10-series and 3⁄4-ton 20-series; a 1-ton C30 Suburban panel van was offered as an option (alongside the Chevrolet Van).

From 1964 to 1988, the Chevrolet Veraneio was produced by GM Brazil as a five-door truck-based wagon. Derived from the C-14 pickup (itself, loosely based on the first-generation C/K, sharing an instrument panel and other components), the Veraneio received a full set of doors two generations before its American Suburban counterpart (the latter, in 1973).

Medium- & heavy-duty models

1961 Chevrolet L60 Viking (Short-hood conventional)

1962-1965 GMC S6000 (cowled bus chassis)

Above the C/K pickup truck range and the 1+1⁄2-ton Chevrolet C40/GMC 3000, General Motors marketed its medium-duty and heavy-duty truck ranges. While designed with straight frame rails and heavier-duty chassis components (though retaining its independent front suspension^[27]), the medium-duty C50 and C60 (GMC 3500, 4000, 5000) shared a common cab design with the C/K pickup trucks. Several variants of the medium-duty range were produced, including the L-series short-hood conventional and S-series cowled bus chassis. A heavier-duty version of the C60 (the C60-H) expanded its GVWR from 19,500 lbs to 22,000 lbs.^[28][29]

The heavy duty C-series range expanded from chassis-cab trucks to include conventional semitractors of multiple configurations, with Chevrolet offering the C60-H, C70, and C80 (GMC 5500/6000/6500). The short-hood L-series was also offered in the same size ranges, with the tandem rear-axle M-series (GMC W-series).

Medium-duty trucks were:

• 1+1⁄2-ton Chevrolet C40 / GMC 3000 (1960–62), with the light-duty cab;
• Chevrolet C50 and C60;
• GMC 3500, 4000 and 5000.

Heavy-duty trucks were:

• Chevrolet C60-H^[30] (a C60 with a heavier GVWR: 22,000 lbs instead of 19,500 lbs), C70 (1960–61) and C80;
• Chevrolet tandem rear axle models M60 (1963–66), M70 (1960–61) and M80 (1962–66);
• GMC 5500, 6000 and 6500;
• GMC tandem rear axle models W5000, W5500 and W6500.