Chevrolet Bruin

The Chevrolet Bruin (and similar GMC Brigadier) were heavy-duty trucks made by General Motors between 1978 and 1988. The Bruin & Brigadier were both conventional rigs using the 9500 series cab introduced in 1966; this cab was better-finished and more stylized than a typical big-rig cab but larger than the pickup-based cab used on the contemporary C40-C65 series. Diesel engine choices included Caterpillar, Cummins and Detroit Diesel powerplants.

"Bruin" followed the pattern of "frontier beast" names given to heavier Chevrolet trucks such as the Chevrolet Bison (heavier) and Chevrolet Kodiak (lighter). "Brigadier" followed the pattern of "military rank" names given to GMC'Chevrolet Bison|Bison/General]], the Bruin/Brigadier found suitable replacements in the form of the Kodiak/Topkick.

For some reason, the GMC version was more common than the Chevrolet version. This was probably because for many years, in order to have a GMC franchise; the dealer had to carry light trucks, medium trucks, heavy trucks, and service the school bus chassis, and the P-chassis all under one roof at the same location; while most Chevrolet dealers dealt only in passenger cars and light trucks (up to 3500 series).