This week at the State Fair of Texas, Chevrolet commemorated a century of Truck production by announcing a 100-day commeration, two new special editions, and the Truck Legends customer loyalty program.

“The Chevy Trucks Centennial is a huge milestone for us, and is equally important to our customers,” said Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet Trucks Advertising and Marketing Director. “That’s why we will be celebrating 100 years of Chevy Trucks over the course of the next 100 days.”

Along with the special edition trucks and customer loyalty program, Chevy is also releasing new, branded merchandise through ChevyGearUSA.com and planning a Centennial Celebration on December 16th.

2018 Centennial Editions

The 2018 Silverado and Colorado Centennial Editions feature design elements from Chevy trucks of yesteryear, in particular the Centennial Blue paint, vintage bowtie emblems, and throwback badges.

“The Silverado and Colorado Centennial Editions were a collaboration between Chevrolet Design, Engineering, and Marketing, to commemorate the history of Chevy trucks,” said Rich Scheer, Chevrolet Trucks Director of Exterior Design. “Both vehicles offer our most enthusiastic fans a way to demonstrate their love for Chevy trucks and celebrate the Chevy Trucks Centennial with us.”

The Silverado Centennial Edition is available on the LTZ Z71 crew cab. The Colorado Centennial Edition is offered on Z71 crew and extended cab variants. Silverado Centennial Editions will arrive in October, with Colorado Centennial Editions following in November. A special 1967 C-10 show vehicle commemorating the 100-year milestone will be displayed during the State Fair of Texas through October 22nd; it will then head to SEMA in late October.

Truck Legends Nationwide

The Truck Legends program recognizes customers who own a Chevy truck with more than 100,000 miles, or who have purchased or leased more than one new Chevy truck in their lifetime. Chevy Truck Legends was launched as a Texas-only pilot in September 2016, but has grown to a community of more than 5,400 Chevy truck enthusiasts. Truck Legends members have opportunities to receive front row seats at concerts, passes to Major League Baseball events, and previews of new Chevy models.

Superb Celebration

The 100-day Centennial Celebration will conclude with an official Chevy Trucks Centennial Celebration event on Saturday, December 16th at Texas Motor Speedway. Attendees can meet celebrities like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and experience the latest Chevy vehicles. The event is free but space is limited to invitation only. Truck Legends members will be the first to receive more information on the celebration and invitations.

“It’s important that we share this celebration with our loyal customers who have helped us achieve this accomplishment,” Piszar added.

Performance Milestones

The first Chevy trucks – the half-ton Light Delivery and the One-Ton – hit the market in 1918. Both featured an open chassis behind the windshield. This allowed customers the option to build a specialized body to better match their profession. The 1918 Chevrolet One-Ton truck featured a four-cylinder engine rated at 36 horsepower with a top speed of 25 mph. By contrast, the current Silverado 1500 offers three different engines: a 4.3 V6, 5.3 V8, and a 6.2 V8. The latter creates 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque.

Prior to 1918, Chevy built specialized trucks but only to serve their factories. To date, General Motors has sold over 85 million trucks with a bowtie.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. 

Centennial Edition Highlights

Silverado

• LTZ Z71 trim; Crew Cab
  Front and rear heritage bowtie emblems
  100 year door badge
  Spray-in bedliner with heritage bowtie emblem
  Accessory floor liners with heritage bowtie emblems
  Centennial Blue exterior paint
  22” painted wheels with chrome inserts
  22” all-terrain tires
  Chrome tow hooks
  Chrome bowtie on steering wheel

Colorado

• Z71 rim; Crew Cab and Extended Cab
  Front and rear heritage bowtie emblems
  100 year door badge
  Spray-in bedliner with heritage bowtie emblem
  Accessory floor liners with heritage bowtie emblems
  Centennial Blue exterior paint
  Body-Color rear bumper and front grille surround
  LT Optional 18” wheels with monochromatic cap
  Chrome tow hooks, belt molding, mirror caps and door handles

Centennial Edition Gallery

Photos & Source: Chevrolet.