1965

What an excellent example of how General Motors saves tooling cost in pickup production. Not cars! Over one million ½ ton hub caps were produced in these three years. Their tooling for Chevy and GMC was almost the same. ONLY the small red logo in the center was added with a different stamping. Another example:  New Truck buyer’s wants are...

Here is a Feature Truck of the Month that was truly saved from the salvage yard. It had been outside deteriorating over 20 years behind the out of business Dellwood Dairy in Copiague New York (on Long Island). Because of some mechanical problems it had been left in the back lot of the abandon dairy. Now enters Vinny Tumminia of...

  During the mid 1960's, most still considered pickups work vehicles. The manufacturer designed them as haulers and few people owned them as their only family vehicle. However, a slight change was beginning with truck buyers as Americans began to have more disposable income. GM and other truck producers were aware that extras on work vehicles were finding more buyers...

  During the mid 1960's many Americans began to request deluxe features on trucks. More disposable income put extra items in reach for many households. GM recognized this area for more income and began adding more extra cost options. The popular standard Suburban could be transformed into a more family vehicle by offering exterior trim and upgrading the interior. It...

The demand for in-dash factory air conditioning or GM trucks greatly increased during the 1960’s. (Automobiles had this feature available since the mid 1950’s.) An under dash “box” (Cool-Pack) was available on trucks since 1958, however, this unit was dealer installed and took up much cab room especially for a third passenger.

When we look for rare Chevrolet truck accessories available during the late 1950's and early 1960's, few are more unusual than the Chevrolet dealer installed "Cool Pack" air conditioning system. Truck cabs were not engineered for factory air as there had been little demand for this expensive accessory. Most people didn't even have air conditioning in their homes, much less in a truck that was usually for work related jobs.