Some people are walking automotive encyclopedias. They can look at a vehicle and quickly ascertain year, make, model—and probably a billion other facts, too. For others, it doesn’t come quite so easily.
That’s why we’ve created Ride Guides, our series of infographics and posts designed to help you easily identify classic and performance vehicles. In this first installment, we’re taking a look at the 1960-66 Chevrolet pickups—the first generation of the popular C/K family of trucks.
As with many cars and trucks, there are subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle outward signs that help determine the exact year of the 1960-66 Chevy trucks. The design of the grille. The location of a vehicle emblem. The style of the hood or windshield. These are all telltale giveaways about the exact year of the first generation C/K pickup. Yes, there are also interior clues and underhood giveaways, but this is a quick guide meant to help you pinpoint specifics at a glance. Click on the infographic below for a quick look at the outward differences between the 1960-66 Chevrolet pickups.
And then check back for more graphics on other vehicles in the near future!
INFOGRAPHIC BY LORI SAMS
do you have a quick guide to identifying 1967-1972 GMC PICKUPS?
It is in the works! Stay tuned…
How about adding the split dash ‘his and hers’ going away in 64 and reverse lights being added to the 65?
I think you mean 1966 is when the reverse light were added to the rear of the bed lower corners.
[…] In our first installment, we showed you how to identify 1960-66 Chevrolet pickups. […]
Another way to tell early models (60-61) is by the front suspension. Those two years used a torsion bar front suspension instead of the common coil springs used in later years. The motor mounts are also different through 1962, which used a 55′-57′ passenger car style w/front mounts and the bell housing support for the rear. The entire dash, heater controls and all was changed in 1964 and was basically the same between the 60′-63’s and 64′-66’s.
It’s also worth mentioning that 1966 was the first year of reverse lights.
Great info, i’m Installing the bed on my 1960 short bed and it seems like I have a 61/2 inch gap between the cab and the bed I was hoping that someone can tell me that’s correct! Before I start installing the wood deck any help for be greatly appreciated
hola busco la goma del parabrisa del apache 1966 espejos cualquier datito me sirve gracias mi correo salinasiriarte@gmail.com
990115357 muchas gracias
This great Poster can I get some copies of it?
Absolutely mate, feel free to copy and print al you want. However, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SALE EVEN THE FIRST COPY or else you will be hit with cease & desist paperwork from the lawyers, copyright infringement lawsuit with extensive fees and fines, as well as, being PROSTITUTED to the fullest extent of the law!!! Print and give away all you want but just DO NOT except ANYTHING in return ad you will be fine!!! Best wishes and happy printing!!!
i just bought my 1960 chevy Apache. with 3 on the tree. but i just started ordering parts. the first problem i ran into was installing new carpet. it just did’t fit was too short on the sides. the only model available was for a 1960 c10 2WD with shifter on column. if you have any information it would be so helpful.
Do you have any specifics on the differences in the cabs for a 1966 versus 1967 on the Chevy C10?
Thank you for taking the time to create this – very helpful!
Any guess on the wheel and tire combination pictured on 1963 in your infographic? I like it! It looks aggressive while still being ready for work.
Not really sure about the tires, but the wheels look like a basic steel wheel with a black finish. Though a few companies are making cast wheels in that style, with a bit more custom look. Fifteen52’s Analog HD Series comes to mind.
But your choices will obviously get whittled down depending on your axles/lug pattern–and if you’ve got locking hubs up front, your center bore diameter.
I have a 1960 panel with single glass panes as opposed to the suburban sliding windows. Any help in identifying the model?
So, it’s a Suburban with a single, large piece of glass on each side behind the front seats? Or does it still have C-pillars to create 2 distinct glass panels on each side of the rear compartment? Is it stock? Perhaps someone just couldn’t source the sliding windows and simplified a single glass pane retrofit? Or perhaps it’s some sort of utility/ambulance/hearse conversion?
I saw a grill today, in person and on the net, that doesn’t quite match the examples shown above; The grill has the 1962 flat-faced oblong headlight cover with two headlights each (4 total), Chevrolet is embossed on the top, there are four major openings equally divided in the lower half of the grill, and the top of the grill has a round profile rather than the hard edge. Is it possible that this grill is from a commercial grade large truck of the era?
I have a 3/4 ton GMC truck made by coach motors in Pontiac Michigan got 305 e p as mp157-4000 RPMs maximum weight 10,000 lb it’s a custom with see what really what model it is