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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,050 Posts1,055,643 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 289 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2007 Posts: 289 | I am curious as to what year did Chevrolet and GMC begin to produce a 1/2 ton pickup with standard engine, transmission and rear end that was capable to comfortably cruise the interstate.
Mike | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Depends on what "comfortably cruise the interstate" means to you?
3.90 rear end in 1954.
What ratio would be comfortable for you?
An over-drive transmission option (0.70) was available 1955-2nd series and onwards. | | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 289 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2007 Posts: 289 | 70 mph without straining the engine or drivetrain all day long.
Mike | | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 119 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 119 |
Interstate construction funds were first released in '56 (Pres. Eisenhower had been impressed by Germany's autobahns) but driveable Interstates were not accessible for any appreciable distance for a # of years. Chev & GMC pickups had no problem attaining & maintaining 70 MPH in the late 1950s, Huck
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | 2140 RPM at 70 mph in a 1955-2nd and later truck with overdrive.
I now comfortably cruise Interstates at 60-65 mph ("all day") at about 2450 RPM. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | I drove 50's GMCs 70 and better all day long during the 50's and 60's. It didn't hurt them a bit to turn over 3,000 as long as the radiator did its job. We never let GMC engines work hard below 2500 because it wore the piston skirts. Of course we were used to the noise Lugging an engine did more harm than overspeeding. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | I worked for a truck leasing co. in the early 60,s. We had a 58 Chevy pickup with 6 cyl. engine for a service truck. I had a service call near Wichita, about 180 miles from KC. The Kansas turnpike had recently opened & the speed limit was 80 MPH. I was dog tired after working all night & day. I put the foot feed to the floor all the way back. It did 80 downhill & 75 up hill. I figured I would get home or go to sleep when it blowed. It ran for many more years after that.
George
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | George, glad you made it. I ran an old 216 "in the ground" on interstate I-85 in mid 70's. It finally went about two years.
....George, there is probably a lot of folks here that don't know what a "foot feed" is. hehehe | | |
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