• The Chevrolet Silverado truck made its official debut in 1998. Before then, Chevrolet had been producing the C and K model pickup trucks since the 1930s. The "C" designated two-wheel drive variants, while the "K" designated four-wheel drive models. In 1997, the Silverado used the C/K names and came in 1500, 2500, and 3500 variants.
  
  

C/K 1500s

• In 1997, the C/K Silverado came in regular and extended cab configurations. Available models were the Cheyenne, Silverado, and Work Truck. Three separate engines were available for each model: a 200-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-6; a 230-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8; and a 255-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8. Additionally, Chevy made a 195-horsepower, 6.5-liter diesel V-8 an option on three K1500 Cheyenne and three K1500 Silverado models. A five-speed manual and four-speed automatic were available for the 1500s, and their payload ranged from 2,000 to 2,200 lbs., with a maximum trailer weight of 5,000 lbs.
  
  

C/K 2500s

• The 1997 C/K 2500s came in Silverado and Cheyenne models, each available as regular and extended cab. Available engines included a 230-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8, a 255-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8, a 195-horsepower, 6.5-liter diesel V-8, and a 290-horsepower, 7.4-liter V-8. A five-speed manual transmission and four-speed automatic were available for the 2500s. With rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants, their payload was about 2,900 to 3,500 lbs., with a maximum trailer weight of about 7,000 lbs.
  
  

C/K 3500s

• The 1997 C/K 3500s came in Silverado and Cheyenne models, each available as regular, extended, and crew cab variants. Chevy included a 255-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8, a 195-horsepower, 6.5-liter diesel V-8, and a 290-horsepower, 7.4-liter V-8 among the available engines. A five-speed manual transmission and four-speed automatic were available, and each model came in rear-wheel drive as well as four-wheel drive. Their payload ranged from about 3,500 to 4,600 lbs., with a maximum trailer weight of 7,000 to 13,800 lbs.