C vs. K designations - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shelby987 · 08-11-2006, 02:31 PM

I was asked the other day why chevy/gmc designated their trucks as C10-30 and K10-30, I explained it was 1/2-1ton and 2wd vs. 4wd. They said, "well, the F in F150 probably stands for ferd, the D in D150 probably stands for Dodge, the C in C10 stands for Chevrolet, what does the K stand for?"

I didn't have an answer......anyone know the origin/meaning of these designations?

**CPNE** · 08-11-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Model Series designations for 1960 were completely revised. The new system began with a letter prefix. For example, a "C" prefix indicated a conventional cab; a "K" indicated a 4 wheel drive model; a "P" model was forward control; an "L" was a low cab forward; an "S" was a school bus and an "M" was a tandem.

A half-ton pickup was now either a model C1404 or C1434. The "C" designated a conventional cab; the "1" half-ton; the "4" a 6 1/2-foot body and the "04" and "34" were for Stepside or Fleetside body types.

The C/K designation became well known over the years and continued in use through the 1997 model year.

http://www.chevytrucks.org/resources...evy_trucks.htm

LUV2XCLR8 · 08-12-2006, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPNE

http://www.chevytrucks.org/resources...evy_trucks.htm

I luv that link, had it saved for a while now, Good reading

Fred T · 08-11-2006, 05:20 PM

From CPNE's link

Quote:

Model Series designations for 1960 were completely revised. The new system began with a letter prefix. For example, a "C" prefix indicated a conventional cab; a "K" indicated a 4 wheel drive model; a "P" model was forward control; an "L" was a low cab forward; an "S" was a school bus and an "M" was a tandem.

And the designation applied to both Chevy and GMC.

**special-K** · 08-11-2006, 10:25 PM

Yeah,cuz "G" stood for Van...Fords and Dodges are dumb.They don`t distinguish between 2wd and 4wd in the moderl designate.There`s only one best,and they left it to them.

shade67 · 08-11-2006, 11:46 PM

Actually Dodge 1/2T 4x4 is designated W100 and so on. My dad retired from Chrysler a few years ago- I can get a really good deal on a new Dodge. I bought a new one once.....Thats why I'd drive an old beater Chevy before a new Dodge- they both can be a piece of $h!t but I don't feel as bad because atleast the Chevy has hope for it!

**special-K** · 08-12-2006, 07:09 AM

I should know that,I had a`69W200,Doah!!Parts were obsolete while Chevy/GMC parts were a walk-up item.Matter of fact,only Dodge had an actual name for theirs,"Power Wagon",until they turned gay and tossed their heritage and started naming them after a sheep

.

JameslovesJammie · 08-12-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Matter of fact,only Dodge had an actual name for theirs,"Power Wagon",until they turned gay and tossed their heritage and started naming them after a sheep

.

:fast68:

I shouldn't laugh...I'm from Montana!

Longhorn Man · 08-12-2006, 08:01 PM

That link has some inacuracys on the longhorn.

**raggedjim** · 08-16-2006, 05:01 PM

Don't forget the 2wd K-5 Blazers... That one breaks the rule

Breakin the rule... Breaking the rule!

Rg

Longhorn Man · 08-16-2006, 09:11 PM

nope, just the badging...which the trucks do too in the badging department.
ALL the trucks on these years were MARKED with a c on the fender... but a K in the VIN for the 4X4 ones.
ALL the Blazers on these years were MARKED with a K on the fender... but a 2 wheel drive VIN had a C.

**Steven B** · 08-17-2006, 10:49 AM

Also 72 models had an additional letter at the beginning. I believe an extra C for Chev and T for GMC

**special-K** · 08-18-2006, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

nope, just the badging...which the trucks do too in the badging department.
ALL the trucks on these years were MARKED with a c on the fender... but a K in the VIN for the 4X4 ones.
ALL the Blazers on these years were MARKED with a K on the fender... but a 2 wheel drive VIN had a C.

ALL the base-model trucks.We`re talkin`about 69/70,right?Coulda been a CST/10or Custom/10,etc.But base-models would have the C/10 badge even if it was 4wd

.
Blazers started off as 4wd,so they named it the K/5.Let`s get all nitpicky now...Why is it a "5"?Is it a 1/4ton???

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 08-20-2006, 05:09 AM

[QUOTE=special-K;
Blazers started off as 4wd,so they named it the K/5.Let`s get all nitpicky now...Why is it a "5"?Is it a 1/4ton???

[/QUOTE]
From what I've gathered on this site, GM originally was considering a real 1/4 ton truck. [Possibly angling for a Viet Nam era military contract?]-- Something about the size of the CJ jeep or the Harvester Scout I. The pictures of the project I saw were of one ugly truck. The project dragged -- missed it's '67 release and so it was decided to make a utility vehicle from a cut-down K/10 fleetside fullsize chassis. This one they got on line for the '69 model year debut. They kept the designation K/5. I'm glad GM went in the direction they did. No ugly trucks.
OK. No ugly full-size trucks.[EDIT]

Longhorn Man · 08-20-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

No ugly trucks.

Chevy Luv. 1/4 ton and very ugly.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 08-21-2006, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Chevy Luv. 1/4 ton and very ugly.

True, but they were actually imports.

KOOLmike · 08-21-2006, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Chevy Luv. 1/4 ton and very ugly.

In my world, that truck (whose name I shall not speak) never existed.

Longhorn Man · 08-18-2006, 06:49 PM

good point... base model trucks

ThatOneBlue67 · 08-20-2006, 03:39 AM

So, we got C10 C20 C30. Why do I see some sites with "C15" and C25"? Are they just dumb?

Longhorn Man · 08-20-2006, 04:12 AM

in 67 - 72, GMC trucks were 1500,2500 and 3500. (canadian models had 910, 920, and 930 in 67) Sometime in the 73 - 87 run, chevy went to the same designation.

**special-K** · 08-20-2006, 12:16 PM

My dream is to build a Blazer down to the size of a Jeep,Scout,or 1st Bronco.

Longhorn Man · 08-21-2006, 05:33 AM

very true, but that was the begining of the end... now the # 1 import, is also the US's #1 export, you have americans building foreighns, and domestics being imported....

Longhorn Man · 08-21-2006, 03:29 PM

LOL mike!!!

08-11-2006, 10:25 PM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: C vs. K designations Yeah,cuz "G" stood for Van...Fords and Dodges are dumb.They don`t distinguish between 2wd and 4wd in the moderl designate.There`s only one best,and they left it to them. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

08-11-2006, 11:46 PM	#6
shade67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portage, WI Posts: 89	Re: C vs. K designations Actually Dodge 1/2T 4x4 is designated W100 and so on. My dad retired from Chrysler a few years ago- I can get a really good deal on a new Dodge. I bought a new one once.....Thats why I'd drive an old beater Chevy before a new Dodge- they both can be a piece of $h!t but I don't feel as bad because atleast the Chevy has hope for it! __________________ Scott 66 chevy short step 327 4speed 67 chevy Short Fleet tpi 350 700r4 72 chevy K10 swb 01 GMC Sierra 01 Pontiac Bonneville

08-12-2006, 07:09 AM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: C vs. K designations I should know that,I had a`69W200,Doah!!Parts were obsolete while Chevy/GMC parts were a walk-up item.Matter of fact,only Dodge had an actual name for theirs,"Power Wagon",until they turned gay and tossed their heritage and started naming them after a sheep. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 08-12-2006 at 07:09 AM.

08-12-2006, 08:01 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: C vs. K designations That link has some inacuracys on the longhorn.

08-16-2006, 05:01 PM	#10
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,583	Re: C vs. K designations Don't forget the 2wd K-5 Blazers... That one breaks the rule Breakin the rule... Breaking the rule! Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

08-11-2006, 02:31 PM	#1
shelby987 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Just outside Durham, NC Posts: 894	C vs. K designations I was asked the other day why chevy/gmc designated their trucks as C10-30 and K10-30, I explained it was 1/2-1ton and 2wd vs. 4wd. They said, "well, the F in F150 probably stands for ferd, the D in D150 probably stands for Dodge, the C in C10 stands for Chevrolet, what does the K stand for?" I didn't have an answer......anyone know the origin/meaning of these designations? __________________ 1969 SS 350 Camaro Sold 2008 1970 3/4T K20, stock height with 33's, 250 I6, 3 on the tree, and locked front and rear 4.10's 1980 Chevy Malibu 2 dr Sold 2007 1993 Olds. Cutlass Ciera Wagon Traded 2006 2003 Saturn L200 w/5pd. D/D My list spans 5 decades with One common thread.....GM!

08-16-2006, 09:11 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: C vs. K designations nope, just the badging...which the trucks do too in the badging department. ALL the trucks on these years were MARKED with a c on the fender... but a K in the VIN for the 4X4 ones. ALL the Blazers on these years were MARKED with a K on the fender... but a 2 wheel drive VIN had a C.

08-17-2006, 10:49 AM	#12
Steven B Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: LHC, AZ Posts: 385	Re: C vs. K designations Also 72 models had an additional letter at the beginning. I believe an extra C for Chev and T for GMC __________________ 70 Jimmy 4x4 71 GMC 2500 Too bad stupidity isn't painful

08-20-2006, 05:09 AM	#14
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,440	Re: C vs. K designations [QUOTE=special-K; Blazers started off as 4wd,so they named it the K/5.Let`s get all nitpicky now...Why is it a "5"?Is it a 1/4ton???[/QUOTE] From what I've gathered on this site, GM originally was considering a real 1/4 ton truck. [Possibly angling for a Viet Nam era military contract?]-- Something about the size of the CJ jeep or the Harvester Scout I. The pictures of the project I saw were of one ugly truck. The project dragged -- missed it's '67 release and so it was decided to make a utility vehicle from a cut-down K/10 fleetside fullsize chassis. This one they got on line for the '69 model year debut. They kept the designation K/5. I'm glad GM went in the direction they did. No ugly trucks. OK. No ugly full-size trucks.[EDIT] __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 08-21-2006 at 04:53 AM.

08-18-2006, 06:49 PM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: C vs. K designations good point... base model trucks

08-20-2006, 03:39 AM	#19
ThatOneBlue67 I survived Dead Man's Curve. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Nine-Five-687 Posts: 389	Re: C vs. K designations So, we got C10 C20 C30. Why do I see some sites with "C15" and C25"? Are they just dumb? __________________ "The people should not be afraid of their government. The government should be afraid of it's people." "The Hurricane" 1967 Chevrolet C10 350 Eight Cylinder, 700R4 BowtieOverdrive *Cherry Bomb...* Disturbing the Peace Since 1968.

08-20-2006, 04:12 AM	#20
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: C vs. K designations in 67 - 72, GMC trucks were 1500,2500 and 3500. (canadian models had 910, 920, and 930 in 67) Sometime in the 73 - 87 run, chevy went to the same designation.

08-20-2006, 12:16 PM	#21
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: C vs. K designations My dream is to build a Blazer down to the size of a Jeep,Scout,or 1st Bronco. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

08-21-2006, 05:33 AM	#22
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: C vs. K designations very true, but that was the begining of the end... now the # 1 import, is also the US's #1 export, you have americans building foreighns, and domestics being imported....

08-21-2006, 03:29 PM	#23
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: C vs. K designations LOL mike!!!



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