1959 Chevrolet 3100

Description

In the late '50s, Chevrolet's Apache was unquestionably the best-looking, most modern truck you could buy. Today, trucks like this 1959 Apache have an undeniable appeal with lots of chrome, wonderful styling, and a bunch of still-usable functionality. This one also happens to offer a strong-running V8 with overdrive and a tastefully upgraded interior to go with it, making for a truck that you can drive anywhere.

Any vehicle from the '50s is not going to be subtle, so you may as well paint it bright red. The fact that red works so well on the Apache is a happy coincidence, but to be honest, these trucks look right in just about any color. The bodywork is in excellent condition, showing not only quality workmanship but a lifetime of pretty easy living because the thing fits together too well to have ever been broken and abused. The stepside bed offers practicality as well as a great look with those bulging rear fenders, and the way they're artfully styled to match the bodywork is more evidence that Chevy knew styling sold trucks as well as cars. The finish was applied a few years ago, so it's got some signs of use, but the overall look is quite appealing and it sure shines up nicely. Details like chrome bumpers, the wide grille, and quad headlights help strengthen the link between the passenger car line and the trucks, and the bed is beautifully restored with the requisite varnished wood and body-colored rub strips.

Using a power seat from a late-model means that climbing into this vintage Apache feels very familiar. It's easy to get comfortable in the big overstuffed leather seats and with carpeted floors, it's rather luxurious inside. A polished tilt column and a billet steering wheel add comfort without removing style and the original dashboard has been filled with a set of modern gauges in a billet panel that fits like the original. There's a Sunpro tach and shift light mounted overhead, which is a unique way to do it that we've not seen before, but we definitely like it! An AM/FM/CD stereo lives in the glove box so that the dash can keep its mostly original configuration and thanks to the use of extensive sound-deadening materials in the cab, it's nice and quiet on the road. This is one old pickup that doesn't feel like an old pickup from behind the wheel.

A strong-running 350 cubic inch V8 delivers probably twice as much power as the original engine would have, perhaps even more if this truck was a six, so it's quite entertaining on the road. An upgraded 4-barrel carburetor and intake manifold offer snappy throttle response and with that oversized radiator and electric fan, this truck doesn't seem to mind sitting in traffic. A few chrome dress-up pieces make it look tidy under the hood and the long-tube headers feed a rumbling Flowmaster dual exhaust system with chrome tips peeking out from under the rear bumper. Thanks to a 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, this truck is now a superlative highway cruiser and with the suspension lowered four inches, it has a wonderfully aggressive look that doesn't seem to compromise its ability to carry a load. A full Mustang II front suspension with power rack-and-pinion steering plus four-wheel disc brakes mean that it rides and handles like a far younger truck and the color-matched Rallys with 235/70/15 radials are exactly the right choice.

As handsome as ever and tastefully modified, this Apache will become your favorite way to move your stuff around. Call today!