The year 1959 saw the most radical engineering and styling changes for Chevrolet and GMC light-duty pickups since General Motors-branded trucks were introduced to the public early in the 20th century.

Chevrolet was all-in on its full-size cars in the late '50s and early '60s, and it had every right to do so. Models like the Bel Air and the Impala propelled the GM brand to the top spot in the United ...