CHEVY C/K SILVERADO SUPERWIDE: OUT OF THE BOX THINKING

FOR RELEASE:  November 7, 1996

CONTACT:      Chevrolet/Geo Communications

Phone:        (800) CHEVY-MI or: (810) 492-8841

Fax:          (810) 492-8853

CHEVY C/K SILVERADO SUPERWIDE: OUT OF THE BOX THINKING

LAS VEGAS -- The C/K pickup is undeniably one of the most utilitarian transportation devices on the planet. That hard-earned status does not, however, stop Chevy from exploring new ways to stretch this truck�s functionality. Enter Silverado SuperWIDE, an intriguing variation of the popular C/K theme that could make life easier for truckers with bulky cargo to tote.

At first glance, Silverado SuperWIDE looks like a standard extended-cab C-series pickup with a 6.5-foot bed and dooley rear axle. Closer inspection reveals the added attraction: a cargo bed with no wheel-house intrusions. Thanks to an uninterrupted 78-in. long by 65-in. wide floor area, Silverado SuperWIDE's box is capable of swallowing 56-cubic feet of square-cornered cargo. [Note: this volume is wholly contained within the box. L=78, W = 65, H = 19]

The key deviation from C/K norm is moving each rear wheel outboard 5-inches. That necessitates broad shouldered fenders reminiscent of those found on dooley pickups. However, in Silverado SuperWIDE's case, these fenders blend in with surrounding surfaces similar to the normal Sportside execution. Since the wide rear axle carries a single pair of tires, overall vehicle width is a reasonable 90-inches, about four inches narrower than a production dooley.

Power is supplied by Chevy�s hard-working 5700 Vortec V8. The chassis is factory spec except for the addition of Goodyear Wrangler GSA radials on Weld Racing Rodlite aluminum wheels. Front rubber is 31x10.5R-15 on an eight-inch rim while the rear tires are 33x12.5R-15 on 10-inch-wide wheels. Custom springs trim the ride height three inches front and rear. In keeping with its show-star role, Silverado SuperWIDE wears a hot PPG Victory Red paint job.

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