Chevrolet’s Silverado, along with its corporate General Motors twin the GMC Sierra, is officially the oldest full-size pickup on the market now that Toyota has announced a redesigned 2007 Tundra. Both the Silverado and the outgoing Tundra date to the 1999 model year, and while Chevy has continually updated its bread-and-butter profit generator over the years, the Silverado needs a complete redesign to remain competitive.

That redesign is coming for the 2007 model year, and starting this fall full-size pickup buyers can drive home in a new Silverado. Our spy caught the Silverado 1500 crew cab shown here during a GM photo shoot, and based on the Z71 decal on the rear fender, the roof rails, the brushed aluminum alloy wheels, and the running boards, we'd say this is a 4WD model in LT trim.

From a styling standpoint, the front end carries strong Chevrolet flavor, from the arrangement of the lighting elements to the chrome-trimmed grille and its center spear with decorative bowtie badge. The wheels on this LT model are also quite good looking. The flared and bulging body, however, doesn't present a cohesive appearance, making the truck look like it's wearing clothes one size too big with shoes one size too small. The new 2007 Chevy Avalanche is a cleaner-looking model.

*Image Copyright Brenda Priddy & Company