The end of World War 2 saw the emergence of the pickup truck. Since then, automakers have offered buyers different options when it comes to cargo bed design. So how can you tell the difference between flareside vs. styleside?
In the U.S., pickup trucks
are pretty much exclusively produced by a few key manufacturers: Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. Toyota and Nissan import their own models as well. Some brands use different terminology, but they all refer to two separate body styles. Flareside trucks
If you own a newer pickup truck, then you’re probably not familiar with the flareside style. According to Raybuck
, it disappeared over two decades ago. This is hard to believe, considering it was the traditional body style when the pickup truck was first sold to the mass market in the ‘40s. The cargo bed is narrow, which allows for extremely pronounced fender flares, as per It Still Runs
. There are clearly defined outward bulges over the rear wheels. If you’re at a classic car show, chances are you’ll find a flareside pickup truck. The flareside tag came from Ford and is most widely used by other brands. Except for Chevrolet. The same design is referred to as stepside in the General Motors world. Over the years, other accolades included: fenderside, utiline, thriftside, and sportside.
Styleside trucks
Another Ford term that’s been adopted by most is the styleside. Chevrolet enthusiasts prefer to call this more modern look fleetside.
It was introduced in the late ‘50s when the popularity of pickup trucks was growing. As reported by CJ PonyParts
, many people had things to haul and the vehicle was not limited to farm fields and construction sites anymore. The styleside design runs flush with the cabin and has the wheel wells tucked inside the box of the pickup truck. The exterior is flat, creating smoother lines from the grille to the tailgate. Newer pickup trucks have all adopted the styleside look.
MORE: Trail Boss vs. AT4: Is the Chevy or GMC Trim the Better Choice?
Flareside vs. Styleside: Which design is best?
There is no sign of the flareside pickup truck making a comeback in the near future. The classic look was retired as sales dwindled in favor of something more modern. The flareside has retired to a bygone era of pickup truck culture.
According to Jalopnik
, buyers prefer the practicality of the styleside because it increases the dimensions of the cargo space in the truck bed. This is becoming even more necessary today as the interior cabins of pickup trucks grow larger and more lavish. A flareside body style on a modern truck would resemble something of a gym rat who always skips leg day. Whether you’re interested in old vs. new, or flareside vs. styleside, Jerry
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