Chevrolet AK series Pickup Truck

Production of the Chevrolet AK range of pickup trucks started in 1941 and ended in 1947. The series had cargo beds which were heavy-gauge steel with a durable wood floor. It was a light duty truck which brought a sense of strength in design and engineering to General Motors trucks. This desire for more sturdy design was likely fuelled by the knowledge that the USA would be entering into World War 2. Thus a new sales market was opening up.

The standard engine in the AK Series was the passenger car six, with 216 cubic inches (3.5 litre) and 90 horsepower. These generally came with a conventional three-speed synchromesh gearbox. There was also an optional heavy-duty ‘Load Master’ six with it’s 235.5-cid. It was capable of delivering 93bhp and considerably more torque. The heavy-duty pickups generally had the optional four-speed or a sliding-gear four-speed box.

The cab had new features including a crank-open windshield and metal-framed door windows. They also had a wide comfortable seat incorporating a latex-bound hair pad on coil springs.

Advertisements and sales brochures noted that the tailgate was ‘heavily reinforced with box-type girders and channels, welded to form an all-steel unit of extraordinary strength and rigidity’ fitted with an ‘anti-rattle fastening.’