You’ve seen the renders. Those impossibly sharp, neon-lit digital concepts of a 2026 Silverado that looks like it took a time machine back to 1973. They’re all over TikTok and Pinterest, usually accompanied by a headline claiming Chevrolet is finally bringing back the "real" truck.
Honestly? Most of that is total clickbait.
But here is the weird part: while Chevy hasn't officially rolled a 1980s carbon copy off the assembly line in Detroit, the new square body chevy is actually a real thing. It just doesn't look like what you expect, and it certainly doesn't come from a standard dealership floor. We're living in a strange era where "new" means something completely different than it did ten years ago.
The Reality of the 2026 "Retro" Lineup
If you walk into a Chevy dealer today looking for a boxy K10, the salesperson is probably going to point you toward a 2026 Silverado 1500 or the heavy-duty 2500HD.
There are some nods to the past, sure. For 2026, Chevrolet introduced some heritage-inspired colors like "White Sands" and "Polar White Tricoat." They’ve also leaned into the RST Select and High Country Midnight editions, which use blacked-out grilles and sharper, more vertical front fascias to mimic that aggressive, upright stance of the 70s and 80s.
But let’s be real. A modern Silverado is a rolling computer. It has a 13.4-inch touchscreen and enough sensors to dock a space shuttle. It’s huge, aerodynamic, and—dare I say—a bit soft around the edges compared to the old steel bricks we grew up with.
The "new" square body everyone is actually talking about is happening in shops like Velocity Restorations and Rtech Fabrications. These guys aren't just fixing up old trucks. They are building brand-new vehicles that happen to use a vintage vin.
Why the Obsession Isn't Going Away
It’s about simplicity. Sorta.
People are tired of trucks that beep at them when they cross a yellow line. There's a massive movement of buyers who want the "fist-in-the-wind" aerodynamics of a 1973-1987 C/K series but want it to actually start every morning.
This is where the term new square body chevy gets confusing. You have two camps:
- The Heritage Seekers: People buying brand-new 2026 Silverados and installing "Cheyenne" retro conversion kits—think chrome bumpers, two-tone paint wraps, and white wagon wheels.
- The Re-Engineered Crowd: People spending $250,000+ on a "new" build from shops that use a Roadster Shop chassis, a modern LT1 V8 engine, and a hand-stitched leather interior, all wrapped in a brand-new steel body that looks exactly like a 1977 K10.
I talked to a guy at a local meet last week who spent more on his retro-converted 2024 Silverado than he would have on a C8 Corvette. To him, the boxy shape represents a time when a truck was a tool, not a luxury status symbol—even if his "tool" now has ventilated seats and Super Cruise.
Breaking Down the "New" Options
If you’re hunting for that square-jawed look, you basically have three paths. None of them involve a time machine, unfortunately.
1. The "Modern Retro" Conversion
This is the most "affordable" way to get a new square body chevy. Companies like Flat Out Autos take a modern Chevy Tahoe or Silverado and literally cut the body panels off. They replace them with custom carbon fiber or steel panels that mirror the lines of the 1970s. You get the 2026 safety ratings, the 10-speed Allison transmission, and the warranty, but you look like you’re driving a prop from Stranger Things.
👉 See also: Eye Makeup for Narrow Eyes: What Most People Get Wrong
2. The High-End Restomod
Shops like Velocity are basically manufacturers now. They have assembly lines. They don't "restore" a truck; they build a new one using a classic silhouette. Their upcoming 2026 "Square Body" series is rumored to feature a bespoke chassis that handles like a modern SUV but keeps that iconic "rounded line" (as GM called it internally) look.
3. The 2026 Silverado "Work Truck" Hack
Funny enough, the base-model 2026 Silverado WT (Work Truck) is the closest thing Chevy makes to a square body. If you get it in a regular cab with a long bed, it has a utilitarian honesty that the flashy High Country trims lack. A lot of enthusiasts are buying these base trucks, swapping the plastic grilles for aftermarket chrome, and adding 2-inch leveling kits to recapture that stance.
The Engine Debate: LS vs. LT vs. EV
You can’t talk about these trucks without mentioning what’s under the hood. The original square bodies usually had a 350 small block that made, what, 160 horsepower on a good day?
The 2026 versions are monsters.
Most high-end "new" builds are using the 6.2L LT1 V8. We're talking 455+ horsepower. Then you have the 2026 Silverado EV, which some custom shops are already eyeing for "body swaps." Imagine a 1985 Chevy Scottsdale that does 0-60 in 3 seconds and never needs a drop of 87 octane. It sounds like sacrilege to some, but the instant torque of an electric powertrain in a light, boxy frame is actually kind of terrifying.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Chevrolet is going to "pull a Bronco."
Ford brought back the Bronco with a design that was a direct love letter to the original. People keep waiting for GM to do the same with a dedicated Square Body reborn.
It's likely not happening.
Safety regulations for pedestrian impact and fuel economy (CAFE) standards make those flat, vertical front ends almost impossible to mass-produce today. That’s why the 2026 Silverado has all those curves and "air curtains" in the bumper. If you want the real deal, you have to look toward the secondary market or the custom builders who aren't held to the same aerodynamic constraints as a massive OEM.
📖 Related: Comfy Mary Jane Heels: Why Your Feet Actually Hurt and How to Fix It
How to Actually Get One
If you’re serious about a new square body chevy, don't just wait for a press release from GM. It’s not coming in the way the internet rumors claim.
Instead, look at the "Heritage" packages being offered by specialized dealerships. Some Chevy dealers in the Midwest have started partnering with conversion shops to offer "Retro Editions" directly on the lot with a limited warranty. These usually include:
- Two-tone paint: Usually a cream or white center section.
- Big Chrome: Swapping out the plastic "black-out" look for 80s-style mirrors and bumpers.
- Retro Badging: Using the old-school cursive "Cheyenne" or "Silverado" scripts.
Actionable Next Steps for the Aspiring Owner
If you're ready to pull the trigger, don't just browse Craigslist for a rusted-out project. Here is how you actually navigate the current market:
- Define Your Budget Early: A conversion kit for a new truck will run you $15,000 to $40,000 on top of the truck's price. A full Velocity-style build will be $250k. Know which lane you're in before you start calling shops.
- Check the Chassis: If you go the restomod route, ensure the builder is using a modern chassis (like Roadster Shop or Morrison). Putting a high-horsepower modern engine on a 40-year-old frame is a recipe for a truck that wants to kill you.
- Monitor the 2026 Order Banks: Watch for the mid-year "Special Edition" announcements from Chevrolet. While they won't change the metal, they often release limited-run colors and trim packages that are specifically designed to appease the square body fans.
- Visit a Specialty Dealer: Reach out to dealers like Beechmont Ford (yes, they do Chevys too) or similar "performance" focused dealerships that have experience with retro-style builds. They often have the "recipe" already figured out, which saves you from being a guinea pig for a local body shop.
The square body never really died. It just moved out of the mainstream factory and into the hands of people who actually give a damn about how a truck looks in a rearview mirror.