Chevrolet entered the commercial truck business in 1918 with a 1/2 ton and a 1 ton model. The first all steel enclosed cab and panel models appeared in 1925.
By 1929, Chevrolet had produced half a million commercial vehicles, and introduced a powerful new six cylinder engine with overhead valves. Within a year, hydraulic shock absorbers, electric fuel gauges, vacuum powered windshield wipers and outside mirrors became standard equipment.
In 1933 the one millionth truck rolled of the assembly line and Chevrolet owned fifty percent of the American truck market. 1935 saw the first Suburban Carryall as part of the truck line.
In 1941, Chevrolet introduced a bold new style that shattered the conservative mold and lured hordes of buyers into dealer showrooms around the country.
"The focal point of the Art Deco styling was the front end"
The focal point of the new styling was the front end – an artistic two-tiered grille with horizontal and vertical bars that were integral with the hood and fenders. Streamlined headlight and parking light housings adorned the tops of the fenders.
In the first year of this series, Chevrolet sold 292,797 of these trucks. By the end of that year, however, the United States entered World War II and Chevrolet joined the Army. Vehicle production for the civilian market came to an abrupt halt. America’s homefront had to keep the old trucks running because it was not until 1945 that the Art Deco Trucks reappeared and not until May of 1946 that full, uncontrolled production resumed. The Art Deco Trucks did their part to get the country back on her feet after the War and continued until May of 1947.
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