1972 Chevrolet C-10
Chevrolet has won every American Heart, and there is the least possibility that you haven’t ridden on a Chevrolet truck in your childhood. If you wonder what Chevrolet trucks you were riding, then it is much more likely to be the Chevrolet C10 if it’s about the years 1960 to 1988. These classic lines with attractive looks rolled out of General Motors manufacturing facilities in four generations for about 42 years. This article will focus on the 1972 Chevrolet C10
C series is General Motors‘ 2-wheel drive trucks line up, and the K-series refers to the four-wheel drive trucks. Their production started in 1960, and the generation took their name as 10, 20, and 30 to indicate half, quarter, and one-ton versions of the General Motors light truck line.
These trucks came under the Chevrolet or GMC brand nameplate, and the C-series included a wide range of vehicles. Most were pickup trucks, but we can’t exclude the medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks from the lineup.
The first C-series model from Chevrolet came out in 1960 that continued till 2002 in the United States. It was available in South America from 1964 to 2001 model year, and Chile markets had it from 1975 to 1982.
First Generation:
Chevrolet trucks were made for utility purposes like pulling trailers, moving cattle, and furniture, and hauling crates of goods before the C10. The 1960 model of this new series was a surprise for automobile enthusiasts, being a whole new design and model with varied features.
The company still marketed its product to ranchers, farmers, and oil field workers; however, companies soon realized the uniqueness of its product and started advertising them as capable of carrying families out on picnics with the campers.
The new design included a drop-down center ladder frame that helps the cab sit lower and an independent front suspension that offers a car-like ride to the truck riders. The 10, 20, and 30 models replaced the 3100, 3200, and 3600 designations for short half, long half, and quarter ton models such that the 301 became the C10 and so on.
General Motors initially made factory 4-wheel drives in 1957 that were updated to the new class scheme, two rear-wheel drive with C designation, while they retained the four-wheel drive as the K designation.
The trucks from this series were available in fleetside or stepside for 1960; smooth-sided versions were also available. The C10 produced under the brand name GMC had the same beds renamed as broadside and fender side.
The first generation used around eight different powerhouses. GMC used a V6 engine as standard for all years. General Motors used three transmissions for the first generation that included two-speed power glides, three-speed synchromesh, and four-speed synchromesh.
Second Generation:
The 1967 model year featured the start of the second generation with a whole new design. This truck line had a nickname, “Action line,” and featured modern conveniences; these included coil spring rear suspension with leaf spring suspension still installed. These models had 250 cubic inches inline 6 or 283 cubic inch V8 and the 3-speed manual transmission.
A 3-speed overdrive and several 4-speed manual transmissions were also available as options. The two-speed power glide automatic and the turbo hydromantic 350 and 400 automatic transmissions were also available.
The 1968 model had side marker reflectors on fenders. This model had V8 engines and a 133-inch base. The engine updated to a 350 cubic inch V8 generating 255 horsepower in 1969 and 402 cubic inches in 1970.
In 69 model had a grille, and the 70 models had a slight change in the same grille.
The 1971 model had significant changes with a new grille design for the Chevrolet brand. The company also introduced the Cheyenne and trim package that included more padding and insulation with better carpet and more Chrome trim with other trim accessories. It was the first model to feature AM/FM radios.
The famous 1972 Chevrolet C10 had minor differences from the 1971 model. The Chevy c10 parts catalog featured a rearview mirror glued to the windshield instead of the ceiling and plastic molded door panels.
3rd Generation:
The third generation also featured an all-new design with a completely new body look. They had a sloping hood and rectangular front look. It also features slanted front fenders, rounded windshield corners, rounded off cab corners, and the pickup box.
It offered two types of pickup boxes; Chevrolet called the full-width pickup box fleetside, and the GMC called it broadside. These models had new safety advancements for full-sized pickups. The safety advancements included a standard passenger side mirror and a collapsible steering column. The latter models included dual front and lap-shoulder belts with emergency locking retractors. They had flattered dash trim panels. The base models also had flatter hub caps with the gas tank moved to the left side.
4th Generation:
The true Chevy C10 ended for the 4th generation. Chevrolet changed the name to 1500, 2500, and 3500. This generation got to see the other century and installed the latest technological improvements. The 1972 Chevrolet C10 will always be an important truck.