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Photo of a Chevrolet C/K

Chevrolet C/K

The 1990 454 SS stuffed a 7.4-liter V8 into a short-bed, regular-cab C1500.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 31 sources

Also called

  • Action LineGM's official name for the 1967–72 second generation.3
  • Rounded LineGM's third-generation name referred to the wraparound shoulder line and larger, aerodynamic windshield.4
  • Square-bodyThe media and public named Rounded Line trucks for their rectangular front end.4
  • OBSOld Body Style: a nickname for GMT400 trucks referring to their GMT800 replacement.5

At a glance

0200400
135–325 hpPower
0510
7.1–9.2 s0–60 mph
0100200
193 km/hTop speed
0300600
294–556 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
2,060–2,145 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.3111213

Engine
I6, V6 and V8; diesel V8s: 5.7 L (1978), 6.2 L (1982), 6.5 L turbo (GMT400)56
Layout
Front-engine; C: rear-wheel drive, K: four-wheel drive59
Gearbox
1967–72: 3/4-speed manual, 2/3-speed auto; GMT400: 4/5 manual, 3/4 auto35
Built at
GMT400: Flint Truck Assembly, United States; Oshawa Truck Assembly, Canada5

The story

Designed to mix truck durability with car features, the C/K had a lower cab. C meant two-wheel drive; K meant four-wheel drive. For 1988, 1500/2500/3500 meant nominal half-, three-quarter- and one-ton classes, with Fleetside or flared-fender Sportside beds.567

1960: 1960 C10 swaps its beam axle for IFS19601963: Coil springs replace the torsion bars19631967: Action Line courts the personal-use buyer19671973: Rounded Line adds a factory crew cab19731978: 5.7 L Oldsmobile diesel breaks new ground19781987: 1988 GMT400 arrives; R/V carries on19871996: 220 hp and a third door for 199619962000: Silverado succeeds; pickups end in 20002000 Chevrolet Task Force: 1955–1959Chevrolet C/K (first generation): 1960–1966Chevrolet C/K (Action Line) (Action Line): 1967–1972Chevrolet C/K (Rounded Line) (Rounded Line): 1973–1991Rounded LineChevrolet C/K (GMT400) (GMT400): 1988–2002 (US)GMT400Chevrolet Silverado (first generation) (GMT800): 1999–GMT800 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones3561219
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1955–1959Chevrolet Task Force
1960–1966Chevrolet C/K (first generation)
1967–1972Chevrolet C/K (Action Line) (Action Line)
1973–1991Chevrolet C/K (Rounded Line) (Rounded Line)
1988–2002 (US)Chevrolet C/K (GMT400) (GMT400)
1999–Chevrolet Silverado (first generation) (GMT800)
19601960 C10 swaps its beam axle for IFS
1963Coil springs replace the torsion bars
1967Action Line courts the personal-use buyer
1973Rounded Line adds a factory crew cab
19785.7 L Oldsmobile diesel breaks new ground
19871988 GMT400 arrives; R/V carries on
1996220 hp and a third door for 1996
2000Silverado succeeds; pickups end in 2000
  1. 1960

    1960 C10 swaps its beam axle for IFS

    For 1960, the C10 replaced Task Force with a lower cab and torsion-bar independent front suspension.68

  2. 1963

    Coil springs replace the torsion bars

    The 1963 C10 moved to double A-arm, coil-spring independent front suspension in place of the 1960–62 torsion-bar setup.8

  3. 1967

    Action Line courts the personal-use buyer

    Cleaner styling and more personal-use comfort defined the 1967–72 Action Line, offered as regular cabs on 115-, 127- and 133-inch wheelbases.39

  4. 1973

    Rounded Line adds a factory crew cab

    For 1973, Chevrolet added an in-house C20/C30 crew cab; the Rounded Line's boxy body was shaped with computers and wind tunnels.4610

  5. 1978

    5.7 L Oldsmobile diesel breaks new ground

    The 1978 C/K was the first American full-size pickup sold with a diesel: a 5.7 L Oldsmobile V8. A 6.2 L diesel joined for 1982.6

  6. 1987

    1988 GMT400 arrives; R/V carries on

    The 1988 GMT400 arrived in April 1987 with an extended cab. The old body continued as R/V through 1991; the 1987 R10 added TBI.5610

  7. 1996

    220 hp and a third door for 1996

    The 5.0 L V8 rose by 45 hp to 220 hp; Vortec gasoline engines were retuned, and selected Silverado 1500 extended-cab short-beds gained a passenger-side rear door.711

  8. 2000

    Silverado succeeds; pickups end in 2000

    The GMT800 Silverado took over for 1999, but C/K pickups overlapped through 2000; the US C3500HD chassis cab lasted through 2002.56

Every generation

  • Chevrolet Task Force
    Chevrolet Task Force1955–1959
  • Chevrolet C/K (first generation)
    Chevrolet C/K (first generation)1960–1966
  • Chevrolet C/K (Action Line)
    Action Line1967–1972
  • Chevrolet C/K (Rounded Line)
    Rounded Line1973–1991
  • Chevrolet C/K (GMT400)
    GMT4001988–2002 (US)
  • Chevrolet Silverado (first generation)
    GMT800

Power over the years

From 135 hp to 325 hp in 8 years.

0100200300400 19601965197019751980198519901995 hp 1960 · 135 hp · 3.9 L Stovebolt I6 (gross)1963 · 175 hp · 283 V8 (gross)1966 · 220 hp · 327 V8, all pickups (gross)1968 · 325 hp · 396 big-block V8 (gross)1969 · 250 hp · 350 small-block V8 (gross)1971 · 300 hp · 402 V8, badged 400 (gross)1990 · 230 hp · 454 SS 7.4 L V81991 · 255 hp · 454 SS 7.4 L V81992 · 180 hp · GMT400 6.5 L turbodiesel V81996 · 220 hp · 5.0 L V81997 · 230 hp · 5.0 L V81997 · 255 hp · 5.7 L V8 325 hp 396 big-block V8 (gross) 135 hp 3.9 L Stovebolt I6 (gross)
13571112
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19601353.9 L Stovebolt I6 (gross)
1963175283 V8 (gross)
1966220327 V8, all pickups (gross)
1968325396 big-block V8 (gross)
1969250350 small-block V8 (gross)
1971300402 V8, badged 400 (gross)
1990230454 SS 7.4 L V8
1991255454 SS 7.4 L V8
1992180GMT400 6.5 L turbodiesel V8
19962205.0 L V8
19972305.0 L V8
19972555.7 L V8

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Custom Cab

    1964–1966

  • Standard

    Custom / CST (Action Line)

    1967–1970

  • Custom Deluxe / Cheyenne / Cheyenne Super

    Standard

    Custom Deluxe / Cheyenne / Cheyenne Super

    1971–1972

  • Custom Deluxe / Scottsdale / Silverado (Squarebody)

    Standard

    Custom Deluxe / Scottsdale / Silverado (Squarebody)

  • Standard

    Cheyenne / Scottsdale / Silverado (GMT400)

  • W/T 1500 (GMT400)

    Standard

    W/T 1500 (GMT400)

  • Big-10

    Special

    Big-10

  • Special

    Longhorn

  • Chevy Sport

    Special

    Chevy Sport

    1976–1981

  • 454 SS

    Performance

    454 SS

    1990–1993

    255 hp

  • Special

    50th Anniversary Package

    1968

  • Limited

    Sno Chaser

    1984

    2,500 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • 1960–61: two prominent pods on the hood.8
  • 1961: Apache 10 hood-side badges; a V beneath the hood bowtie marked the V8 option.8
  • 1967–72: low body, long nose, tight cab-to-bed gap and a hidden tailgate latch.17
  • 1973–91 Squarebody: rectangular front face and a shoulder crease wrapping around the Fleetside body.4
  • 1988–2000 GMT400: flush curved grille and bumper, flush side glass and no front vent windows.5

Year by year

  1. 1962–1966

    1962 removes the big hood intakes; 1963 has round headlight surrounds; 1964–66 uses square surrounds and drops the wraparound windshield.812

  2. 1967–1969

    1967 may have small rear glass; 1968 adds markers and standard big glass; 1969 gets a blunter hood and new grille.31718

  3. 1971–1972

    1971 brings an eggcrate grille with the bowtie inside it; 1972 has molded door panels and a windshield-glued mirror.3

  4. 1973–1980

    Squarebody: recessed 1973–74 Chevy grille versus three-part GMC; 1975 Chevy goes flush; 1980 Silverado gets square lamps.4

  5. 1990–1996

    GMT400: 1990 composite lights on upper trims; 1994 new grille/cab brake light; 1995 new dash; 1996 third door on select 1500s.5

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Chevrolet C/K
    C/K
    Photo of a GMC C/K / Sierra
    GMC C/K / Sierra

    GMC C/K / Sierra

    1973–74 GMC grilles split into thirds; 1975 has six sections. The 1988-on Sierra is a near-twin: read its tailgate badge.457

  • Photo of a Chevrolet C/K
    C/K
    Photo of a Ford F-100 (1967–1972)
    Ford F-100 (1967–1972)

    Ford F-100 (1967–1972)

    A small rear window is a 1967 C10 clue; the 1967–72 F-100 was only offered with the large rear window.17

  • Photo of a Chevrolet C/K
    C/K
    Photo of a Ford F-150 (1997)
    Ford F-150 (1997)

    Ford F-150 (1997)

    The 1997 Ford has softer, rounded shoulders; the 1996 Chevrolet C1500 keeps straight body panels.11

Against its rivals

  • Corvette (1976)

    C/K vs Corvette (1976)

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    C/K16.9 s
    Corvette (1976)16.5 s
    16
  • Ford F-150 Lightning (1993)

    C/K vs Ford F-150 Lightning (1993)

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    C/K15.7 s
    Ford F-150 Lightning (1993)15.8 s
    13
  • Dodge Ram 1500 Sport (1996)

    C/K vs Dodge Ram 1500 Sport (1996)

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    C/K17 s
    Dodge Ram 1500 Sport (1996)17.4 s
    11

  • C/K vs Ford F-150 XLT (1997)

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    C/K17 s
    Ford F-150 XLT (1997)17.1 s
    11

Prices

Value today $9.1K–$19.8K18

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M 1995200020052010201520202025 Value today: $9,100–$19,800 1993 · $21,835 · US base, 454 SS1993 · $22,119 · US as tested, 454 SS1996 · $18,101 · US base, C1500 Silverado1996 · $24,402 · US as tested, C1500 Silverado 2023 · $228,250 · 1983 C10 custom, Mecum2025 · $74,000 · 1964 C10 Custom short-bed, 3,600 miles shown, BaT2025 · $10,500 · 1964 C10 inline-six 4-speed, 60k miles shown, BaT2025 · $37,000 · 1971 C10 short-bed, 22k miles shown, BaT2025 · $15,000 · 1998 K1500 Cheyenne 4x4, 149k miles shown, BaT2025 · $33,500 · 1972 C20 5.3 Vortec, 213 miles shown, BaT2025 · $6,000 · 1977 C20 Scottsdale, 99,760 miles shown, BaT2025 · $80,000 · 1990 454 SS, 194 miles shown, BaT2025 · $25,250 · 1990 454 SS, 154k miles shown, BaT2026 · $19,000 · 1990 454 SS, 109k miles shown, Bring a Trailer2026 · $29,000 · 1965 C10, modified, 5k miles shown, TMU, Bring a Trailer $228.3K Mecum, 2023
11131822232425262728293031
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1993Price when new$21,835US base, 454 SS
1993Price when new$22,119US as tested, 454 SS
1996Price when new$18,101US base, C1500 Silverado
1996Price when new$24,402US as tested, C1500 Silverado
2023Auction sale$228,2501983 C10 custom, Mecum
2025Auction sale$74,0001964 C10 Custom short-bed, 3,600 miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$10,5001964 C10 inline-six 4-speed, 60k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$37,0001971 C10 short-bed, 22k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$15,0001998 K1500 Cheyenne 4x4, 149k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$33,5001972 C20 5.3 Vortec, 213 miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$6,0001977 C20 Scottsdale, 99,760 miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$80,0001990 454 SS, 194 miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$25,2501990 454 SS, 154k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$19,0001990 454 SS, 109k miles shown, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$29,0001965 C10, modified, 5k miles shown, TMU, Bring a Trailer
2026Value today$9,100–$19,800

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “Ragland won San Felipe in two different classes”
    • “SnowRunner's base-game Chevrolet scout”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 31 sources
  1. Chevy Special-Edition Trucks: Picking the 10 Best of All Time motortrend.com
  2. Chevrolet 454 SS Muscle Truck Buying Guide: Cheap Ticket to Fun motortrend.com
  3. Chevrolet C/K (second generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. Chevrolet C/K (third generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Chevrolet C/K (fourth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Chevrolet C/K - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. 1990-98 Chevrolet C/K Review & Specs | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  8. 1960-1966 Chevy C10 Truck & GMC Truck Buyer’s Guide hotrod.com
  9. 1967-72 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups: The Action Line - Old Motors oldmotors.net
  10. 1973-1987 Chevy C10 and GMC Truck Buyer’s Guide hotrod.com
  11. 1996 Full-Size Pickup Comparo: Chevy vs. Dodge vs. Ford caranddriver.com
  12. Chevrolet C/K (first generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  13. Tested: 1993 Ford F-150 Lightning vs. Chevrolet 454SS caranddriver.com
  14. 1988 Chevy/GMC C1500 Series Pickup Trucks - Sport Truck Magazine motortrend.com
  15. 1976 Chevrolet & GMC Special Editions - Rare Truck Info raretruckinfo.com
  16. Custom Truckin' - Chevy & GMC Square Body Special Editions news.classicindustries.com
  17. 1967-1972 Chevy C10 Truck & GMC Truck Buyer’s Guide hotrod.com
  18. RK Knows: Chevrolet C10 Trucks (1960–1987): Stock vs. Restomod and What Buyers Are Paying - RK Motors Blogs blog.rkmotors.com
  19. Chevrolet Task Force - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. SCORE San Felipe 250…SCORE’s ‘Baby Baja’ race - SCORE International score-international.com
  21. Chevrolet CK1500 | SnowRunner Interactive Maps maprunner.info
  22. 1990 Chevrolet 454 SS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $19,000 on July 23, 2026 (Lot #253,863) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  23. Modified 1965 Chevrolet C10 Pickup for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $29,000 on October 10, 2026 (Lot #267,730) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  24. No Reserve: 1977 Chevrolet C20 Scottsdale for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,000 on July 30, 2025 (Lot #202,849) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  25. 1971 Chevrolet C10 Pickup for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $33,750 on September 7, 2025 (Lot #208,951) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. 1964 Chevrolet C10 Custom Pickup for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $74,000 on November 11, 2025 (Lot #219,185) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. Single-Family-Owned 1964 Chevrolet C10 Pickup 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,500 on October 21, 2025 (Lot #215,934) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. No Reserve: 1998 Chevrolet K1500 Cheyenne 4x4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,000 on September 4, 2025 (Lot #208,529) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 5.3L Vortec-Powered 1972 Chevrolet C20 Pickup for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $33,500 on August 15, 2025 (Lot #205,251) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 194-Mile 1990 Chevrolet 454 SS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $80,000 on May 4, 2025 (Lot #190,207) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 1990 Chevrolet 454 SS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $25,250 on April 15, 2025 (Lot #187,606) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • motortrend.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • consumerguide.com
  • hotrod.com
  • oldmotors.net
  • caranddriver.com
  • raretruckinfo.com
  • news.classicindustries.com
  • blog.rkmotors.com
  • score-international.com
  • maprunner.info
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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