Chevrolet Silverado ‘Special Ops’ Concept Model Revealed At Las Vegas Auto Show, Intended As Tribute To Naval Elite

Chevrolet kicks innovation into high gear with a new concept version of the popular Chevrolet Silverado truck. The 2016 Silverado Special Ops was introduced at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) auto show in Las Vegas this week. Two of its boldest features are that it is based on the 1500 Z71 design and it is painted in blue naval camouflage.

According to ChevyTV, the SEMA show is intended to showcase the latest in automobile customization. One of Chevrolet’s prime efforts at their showcase this year is the Silverado Special Ops. The Special Ops is the result of a design collaboration between native Michigan musician Kid Rock and General Motors.

Chevrolet admits that the special-edition pickup is a tribute to the naval elite. TruckTrend.com reports that the camouflage treatment, a tri-colored blue, has been named “Razzle Dazzle.” The color was developed by the Navy more than a century ago as an optical effect to confuse the enemy about a ship’s direction, profile, and speed. This is achieved through a combination of light, medium, and dark shading. The focus of the truck’s design is to imagine a unique rescue vehicle for special operations forces.

WTVR.com reported that Kid Rock visited Chevrolet’s assembly plant in order to meet the workers who built the vehicle. He shared both his experience and design vision for the Silverado.

“The Flint plant and everyone on the line is the backbone of America. I wanted the design for the truck to be bold, but with features and elements that wouldn’t be out of reach for working-class guys.

“Visiting the Silverado factory was one of the coolest and most meaningful things I’ve done. This truck is all about celebrating the people who build it and the freedom it enables.”

One of the special, custom features added due to Kid Rock’s input was a chrome grille with the “Born Free” logo. Chevrolet stated that Kid Rock’s influence allowed them to design a vehicle that exhibited an industrial, made-in-Detroit aesthetic.

A press release issued by General Motors describes the vehicle in more detail.

“… [It] features a new front-end design and new technologies built into its strong, high strength steel body structure and fully boxed frame, and draws its design inspiration from naval design aesthetics.”

Jim Campbell, vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, said the Silverado is a multipurpose truck that reflects the commitment of Special Forces teams.

The Chevrolet Silverado Special Ops includes custom rocker guards, the GearOn™ utility rack storage system, and a bed-mounted sport bar with LED lights as just a few of its additional custom features.

The seats have waterproof covers, and the floors have waterproof liners. The instrument panel and armrests reflect the same Razzle Dazzle paint motif as the exterior of the Silverado.

The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado Special Ops concept model was introduced at SEMA on November 2. The Silverado Special Ops will also debut at the annual Army-Navy football game to be held in Philadelphia this year on December 12.

Wikipedia lists Kid Rock as an American singer, writer, and songwriter. He is a five-time Grammy Award nominee and was married to Pamela Anderson from 2006 to 2007. The rapper’s most recent release was his album, First Kiss, on February 24.

Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands. They report sales figures of over 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. The company was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.

Follow more conversation on social media about the Chevrolet Silverado Special Ops by using the hashtag #CHEVYSEMA.

[Photo by Chevrolet / Copyright General Motors / Cropped And Resized / CC BY 3.0 ]