Vehicle Description
This 1959 Chevrolet 3100 Apache is a truck that shouldn't need any
excuses. It looks great, it packs a strong 350 cubic inch V8, and
it's still practical enough to actually use as a truck. If you want
a do-everything hobby vehicle without breaking the bank, you could
certainly do worse than this blue stepside.
Today, honest vintage pickup trucks that are still ready, willing
and able to go to work are getting harder to find all the time.
Fortunately, this one is ready to rock and that's all original
steel that has likely never required major surgery, and the Brigade
Blue paint shows it off to great effect. Instead, it has been
properly maintained and lightly used for the past 53 years, and
presents in solid condition today. The doors open and close
solidly, the hood fits well, and the whole truck looks eager to get
back to work or go show off. In the bed, you'll find a beautifully
finished oak floor with color-matched slats, and it was finished to
such a high level you'll think twice before you throw any old dirt
or tools back there. There's also a lot of neat accents on the
top-of-the-line Apache, including the painted ornate grille,
matching big bumpers, and those cool emblems on the front fenders,
all of which are in good condition overall, although the rear
bumper is showing its age. "Chevrolet" script is outlined in red on
the tailgate to match the Bowtie up front and on the back window,
and even though this truck isn't perfect, it shines up great and is
truly vintage Americana at its best.
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The interior has been very nicely finished as well, and shows you
just how basic these machines were when they were new. Forget
luxury, these were little more than tools and nobody in 1959 was
buying a pickup truck without needing to haul something. The seat
features a new black vinyl cover, there's a correct rubber floor
mat on the floor, and the door panels are painted to match the
exterior. The black-and-white dash features a single stylish
triangular pod for the speedometer, along with four smaller
auxiliary gauges that are built right in, and those simple units
are you need for this simple machine. You'll also note that this
Apache has a 4-speed manual transmission, something familiar to
more than a few of us who learned to drive out in the country, and
a nice upgrade over a "3-on-the-tree" that most of these are
equipped with. The big steering wheel makes it easy to wheel the
truck around and it's surprisingly nimble given its utilitarian
roots. No frills, no flash. Heck, there isn't even a radio inside
the cab. And that's exactly how we like our vintage pick-ups. Roll
down the windows, hit the gas, and let the Apache do all the
singing.
Pop that big hood and you'll be pleasantly surprised to find a 350
cubic inch V8, which wasn't on the menu in 1959 but is very
welcomed here today. Nicely detailed with Chevrolet Orange paint
along with finned Edelbrock valve covers and a chrome Edelbrock air
cleaner, it looks right at home in the big engine bay. It uses a
4-barrel carburetor to help build power, but the overall look is
very much in tune with the period. Underneath, it's very solid,
from the frame to the suspension. A newer dual exhaust system gives
it a little bit of a growl, and there are no signs that this was
ever a rusty truck. Manual drum brakes do their job properly and
live inside a set of mag wheels with fat 235/75/15 Michelin
white-letter radials.
Clean, honest trucks like this are getting hard to find, but
they're worth the search. Imagine driving it to work on nice days,
then hitting Home Depot or the local garden center on the weekends.
Just because it's old and cool doesn't mean it can't earn its keep.
This Apache is a solid, reliable, well-maintained truck that's
ready for another 60 years of work.