Where three iconic Chevrolet models got their names

We love Chevrolet here at Landers Chevy of Norman, and that extends to all aspects of the Bowtie Brand. One of our favorite aspects of the vehicles we sell and the vintage Chevys we love is their names, with iconic badges like Suburban, Impala, Malibu, Silverado, Tahoe and Blazer gracing our lot as they have for decades.

Ever wonder about the reasoning behind iconic Chevy nameplates? Well read on for the details on three great Chevrolet names you'll recognize from our stock here at Landers Chevy of Norman. And when you're ready to own one of these legends, stop in today at Landers Chevrolet of Norman for a powerful test drive, or check out our full selection of great new and used vehicles at our website right now.

CHEVY SILVERADO: For decades, Chevrolet trucks were just called "Chevrolet Trucks," with only number designations to differentiate between light-, medium- and heavy-duty models. That began to change in the 1950s, when Chevrolet called their pickups "Apache" in reference to the Native American tribe of the desert Southwest. The name "Silverado" first came to Chevy trucks in 1975 as the top-shelf, highest-optioned trim of third-generation Chevrolet C/K "square body" trucks, part of a turn that saw Chevrolet name several of their vehicle trims after legendary Old West locales. The name — taken from Silverado, Calif., a silver-mining town established in California's rugged Santa Ana Mountains in 1878 — turned out to be so popular with Chevy Truck owners that it was later adopted as the model name for all Chevrolet trucks beginning with the 1989 model year, released in the summer of 1988. It remains the name used to refer to all all full-size and heavy-duty Chevrolet pickups to this day. 

CHEVY SUBURBAN: The oldest model nameplate in the Chevrolet lineup and the oldest continuously-used vehicle nameplate in the WORLD, the name "Suburban" was first used by Chevrolet in 1934 to refer to a new model that was basically a heavy-duty, truck-based, steel-bodied panel truck with large, open side windows and three-row seating. Previously, Chevy panel trucks had either been available with windowless sides as utilitarian work trucks, or with all-oak "Woody" wagon bodies. For families, the Suburban was a game-changer, giving them the power and capability of a truck and the all-weather passenger and cargo room of a panel or "woody." The name was, of course, taken from the suburbs that were then proliferating across America as cities grew thanks to the automobile. Over 85 years later, millions of families in the 'burbs have counted on the Chevy Suburban. 

CHEVY IMPALA: Another old and storied Chevrolet nameplate (though not nearly as old as the Chevy Suburban) the name Chevy Impala — taken from the speedy and graceful African antelope species — was first used by Chevrolet to refer to on a sleek and elegant concept car that debuted at the annual General Motors Motorama in 1956. Several design cues from the Impala Concept later made their way into the production 1957 Chevrolet Corvette. The Impala name returned in 1958 as the top-level trim of the Chevrolet full-size passenger car, which was available in coupe, hardtop, convertible, four-door wagon, two-door wagon, four-door sedan, and sedan delivery (which was like a more utilitarian version of the station wagon, only without windows in the rear). Though the name took a backseat to "Biscayne" as the full-size sedan's top trim in the early 1960s, it soon became the primary model name for all Chevy full-size passenger car models. Though the Impala name was retired in 1985 in favor of "Caprice," the Impala name was revived in 1992 and has remained in production since then.

We hope you enjoyed reading a bit of the history behind three iconic Chevy nameplates that still grace our lot here at Landers Chevrolet of Norman. Ready to get out of the past and into the future? Then stop by today for a test drive of any of our full-lineup of 2021 Chevy vehicles, including the 2021 Chevrolet Impala, Silverado and Suburban. Or you can shop our full selection online right now.

 
Source: blog