Vehicle Description
Chevrolet trucks like this 1958 Chevrolet Apache Big Window were
probably the first pickups that were actually designed to take into
account that folks wanted their trucks to look good, as well as
haul stuff and work hard. Showing off its gorgeous butterscotch
gold over cream paint and a supremely comfortable custom leather
interior, this first-year Fleetside Apache never fails to elicit a
smile from everyone who sees it. And with a powerful, fuel-injected
350 motor under the hood, an upgraded suspension setting that
killer raked stance, and a bright set of chrome Baby Moons wrapped
in whitewalls at the corners, it's no slouch in the performance
department, either.
Trucks were still practically tools in '58, but that doesn't mean
people weren't using them for other things, and those were the
folks Chevrolet was trying to attract. As a result, this handsome
Apache (no longer called the 3100 starting this year) has plenty in
common with the other vehicles in the lineup and today it stands
tall as an icon of pure 1950s styling. Sure, this one has had a few
modifications that give it a slightly updated look, but nothing can
disguise the brilliance of the original GM design. Even up close,
the straight bodywork stands up to scrutiny, suggesting that the
work was very well done and it's obvious this baby has been very
well-kept ever since. There's lots of detail, too, from the ridges
on the hood to the long 'spears' that run the length of the
super-cool Fleetside bed that give an impression of motion. It's
one of the last of the 'Art Deco' designed trucks, where style was
just as important as substance, and highlighting this gorgeous
truck with two-tone paint was absolutely the right call.
Butterscotch gold over cream practically makes your mouth water,
and it looks like the perfect choice on the original bodywork.
Finished a few years back, it still shows very well as a higher-end
driver-quality rig, and although some minor imperfections can be
seen upon closer examination, the out-of-this-world curb appeal of
this Apache will certainly overshadow any nitpicking about some of
the signs of use. A gold double-pinstripe separates the two colors
and outlines the 'Chevrolet' script on the tailgate, and there was
plenty of chrome left during the build, with the front grille,
front bumper, hood and fender badging, and window surrounds
polished up bright to contrast against the soft colors. Out back,
there's a custom roll pan molded into the sides of the bed, and
speaking of the bed, it's finished with handsome wood planks,
stainless steel rub strips, and a flush gas cap for the relocated
tank underneath.
The beautiful tan leather interior isn't stock, of course, but it's
far more stylish and comfortable than the original sticky vinyl.
That's a custom bench that does a good impression of sculpted
buckets, with pleated leather patterns that are continued on the
matching door panels at the flanks. Carpets and floor mats with the
correct cut-and-pile on the floor help control noise and heat,
there's a finished headliner above that makes it feel far more
luxurious inside than you'd expect, and the two-tone painted dash
matches the exterior scheme perfectly. An aftermarket tilt steering
column and leather-wrapped billet wheel highlight the driver's side
of the cab, along with a full array of Dakota Digital instruments
in a neat V-shaped pod. There's an upgraded AM/FM/Cassette radio in
the center of the dash that provides the entertainment, lap-belts
were added to the bench, and the factory Big Window out back gives
the cab a very cool fishbowl feel inside.
Chevy's small-block V8 is a natural choice in the sporty Apache,
with this one carrying a fuel-injected 350 cubic inch V8 motor that
makes for an entertaining drive. Dressed in chrome inside the
beautifully painted engine bay, the small block is topped with a
Holley Sniper fuel-injection system, an Edelbrock aluminum intake,
and HEI ignition that all help in the performance department. A
chrome open-element air cleaner and matching valve covers at the
flanks add sparkle, while the big aluminum radiator and auxiliary
fan keep the whole show nice and cool up front. Power heads aft
through a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and a 10-bolt rear
end, and a dual exhaust system with twin glasspack-style mufflers
exits underneath the roll pan and has just the right V8 rumble. An
independent suspension with power steering and front disc brakes
makes it easy to handle for anyone, while upgraded shocks set that
killer raked stance, so hit the road with confidence. Bright chrome
Baby Moon 15-inch wheels have a cool look that's traditional but
up-to-date, and they sit on 215/75/15 BFGoodrich Silvertown
white-wall radials.
A dialed-in Chevy truck with a ton of character and style, this
Apache shows you that form doesn't necessarily have to follow
function and tools can still be beautiful. Call today!
