Chevrolet has consistently held the number two spot in U.S. pickup truck sales, trailing behind the Ford F-Series, which has led the market for nearly half a century. While Ford’s dominance is undeniable, Chevy boasts a rich history of innovative and distinctive pickup trucks that deserve recognition. Let’s revisit some of these unique offerings from Chevrolet’s past.
Chevy 454 SS
In the early 1990s, Chevrolet entered the performance pickup truck arena with the 454 SS. Based on the half-ton C1500, the 454 SS featured a monochromatic exterior that included a black grille, bumpers, and mirrors. Initially available in black, it later offered red or white paint options. The bed sides were adorned with distinctive 454 SS decals.
The real power lay under the hood. Chevrolet equipped the 454 SS with a 7.4-liter V8 engine from its heavy-duty models. This engine delivered 230 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission. Chevy claimed a 0 to 60 mph time of under 8 seconds. The 454 SS also included upgraded Bilstein shocks, quicker steering, higher rear differential ratios, and a front stabilizer bar.
The 454 SS is relatively rare, with fewer than 17,000 units produced during its three-year run.
Chevy S-10 EV
While the GM EV1 is often cited as General Motors’ sole electric vehicle endeavor of the 1990s, the Chevy S-10 EV, which debuted in 1997, quietly made its mark as the world’s first electric pickup truck. This unique truck featured a powertrain adapted from the EV1, resulting in a front-wheel-drive pickup equipped with a 114-horsepower electric motor (23 hp less than the EV1) and a 16.2-kWh battery pack that weighed 1,400 pounds. Originally, it offered a range of about 44 miles per charge; subsequently, a 29-kWh nickel-metal hydride pack was introduced in 1998, increasing the range to nearly 100 miles.
A limited production run of only 492 units were made; most of these were leased to fleets and subsequently scrapped. However, 60 units were sold outright to fleet customers, with a small number still in existence today.
Chevy Avalanche 2500
The first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche, introduced the innovative Midgate system, which allowed the rear seats to fold down, effectively extending the bed. Though the standard 1500 version received the most attention, the heavy-duty 2500 variant was a formidable workhorse, designed for tough tasks such as towing and hauling. It was equipped with rubber floor mats, more durable carpeting, larger off-road tires, skid plates, and heavy-duty leaf springs.
Under the hood, the Avalanche 2500 boasted a massive 8.1-liter Vortec V8 engine that generated 320 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. This setup gave the Avalanche 2500 a nearly 12,000-pound tow rating and over 2,000 pounds of payload capacity. Sadly, the Avalanche 2500 was only available during the first generation, from 2001 to 2005.
Chevrolet LUV
Chevrolet turned to Isuzu in the early 1970s, importing its small pickup truck, the Faster, and rebadging it as the Chevy LUV, which stood for Light Utility Vehicle. The LUV offered a standard six-foot bed, or an optional seven-and-a-half-foot bed, which looked somewhat unusual on such a compact truck. Power came from a 1.8-liter inline-4 engine that initially produced 75 horsepower, which was later increased by five horsepower.
The LUV was produced until 1982, at that time it was replaced by the S-10, the same year it was offered with a 2.2-liter diesel engine.
