The pickup truck has been a constant favorite of the American people since Henry Ford designed and produced the first civilian pickup, integrating the concept into a special Model T-based vehicle. Chevrolet’s first pickup, the Model 490, named after its price tag, predates Ford’s, and was available to buy in 1918. These early trucks shared many features with the cars of the era. As time went on the truck beds grew longer and the cabs became more comfortable. The 1939 Chevrolet Half-Ton could haul a 1,060-pound load. Toward the end of the 1940s, Chevrolet led the way with its classic 1948 Chevy, which remained a best-seller long into the 1950s.
