Chevrolet sales literature describes this truck (as configured), as the “replacement” truck for the limited edition “Cameo” which was dropped after 1958.  It has a look that is definitely reminisant of the Cameo and in my opinion one of the best looking trucks of the fifties. Restored 1955 to 1959 Chevrolet trucks are commanding high prices and trending up. Quality trucks are hard to find.   

It is VERY hard to find an Apache with the deluxe “stainless trim” on the bed. This “trim” was a one year only option and I have seen sets for the “short beds” sell on ebay for over $2,000.  

HISTORY (Texas since new & rust FREE)

This very special 59 Apache has never lived the life of the typical truck of this era. It was owned by preservation minded owners who kept in a well maintained original state.  

This tuck has lived it’s entire life in the dry climate of Texas. I purchased it locally from the family member who received it from the estate of the now deceased second owner. This former owner did a FRAME OFF restoration over the period of his ownership but never got to drive it beyond a few miles before health issues caught up with him. The truck had been setting for some years with only 20 miles logged since its restoration when I purchased it. When I purchased it, there were still some final “button up” issues which I have now taken care of.  Those are listed below under “work done by me”. 

This is a rare model that is super hard to find. Naturally the “fleetside” short bed with the deluxe Cab and big back glass is the one to have. This one is loaded with optional equipment that really “dresses it up”. Best of all – it is virtually new with almost every part on it having been refurbished or replaced with NEW. 
 

LOADED with OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT 

•  
  • deluxe Cab with “stainless” Cab trim & glass trim
  • optional chrome dash knobs
  • optional deluxe Bed with stainless trim
  • optional deluxe Chrome Grill
  • optional large back Glass
  • optional 4-Speed transmission
  • optional chrome rear bumper
  • optional chrome front bumper
  • optional License Plate light
  • optional front Bumper Guards
  • optional Sun Visor
  • optional Radio (Includes factory fit replacement also)
  • optional Chrome Hub Caps
  • optional Stainless Trim Rings
  • optional Step Plates
  • optional Trim (finger guards, tail pipe tip cover, window rain guards)
  • optional stainless dual Mirrors
  • added dash mounted traffic light viewer
  • added custom fit CARPET with carpet underlay
  • added custom fit kick panels with speakers
  • added custom fit rear Sway Bar
  • added Coker American Classic WW Radials
  • added Seat Belts for safty
  • added LED tail lights for safty

Restoration work performed  

Done by former owner; 

. STRIPPED entire truck inside and out

                     to “bare metal” and painted

. sand blasted frame / undercarriage and painted

. replaced the wood bed with new Oak wood

. rebuilt motor

. rebuilt carburetor

. rebuilt rear axle

. rebuilt brakes (all around)

. rebuilt transmission

. rebuilt front end

. replaced all 4 shocks

. replaced rear springs

. rewired

. replaced instrument cluster with NEW

. replaced gas tank and entire fuel system

. recovered the seat, installed new headliner & sun visors 
 

Work done by me;   

I have receipts for in the last 3 months for approximately $4,000 for the final items required to bring the truck to its buttoned up finished state. 

• mounted top of the line American Classic (WW) Radials from Coker Classics.
• Removed “Steering Box”  with “steering Column” attached and sent to CCP to have professionally rebuilt
• Purchased the “Rear Sway” that is now available for these old trucks from Brothers …. makes a difference.
• Purchased “LED Brake Lights” for added visibility and safety.
• Installed seat belts
• Installed the remaining items that former owner never got to
• Purchased the factory fitting replacement AmFm radio (but have not installed …. Original radio still in truck but not working)
• Add current technology rear sway bar
• Repair wiper motor / Rebuilt carburetor / tuned
• Drive for initial break in miles

PERFORMACE: 

The performance is very much like it would have been when NEW in 1959. In some ways it is better than new. The modern radials and modern rear sway bar make provide for a superior handling and steering experience. This is the best driving truck of this vintage that I have ever experienced.  

You can drive it 55 mph to 70 mph with surprisingly little effort. The shifts are great. The original 4-speed tranny with granny gear is a blast to drive. You can start out in second gear with no problem. The rear end gear has been changed to a highway gear so you can actually buzz down the interstate at high way speeds. The brakes are new and stop the truck with confidence. The horn, wipers, choke, heater and all gauges work. 

CONDITION:  

Paint and body

This is a high integrity truck in terms of a quality tight body with no evidence of prior damage from rust or collision impact. The floors, cab corners, running boards, tailgate, etc, are all rust FREE. There are no dents in the beds inner fenders, or tailgate. The doors open and close like new and the windows go up and down easily. The glass, mounting gaskets, weather-stripping, etc are all new. The entire truck was stripped to bare metal including the inner cab before it received its current paint job (which I think is approximately 8 years old).  While this is a beautiful high integrity truck, I would describe the “paintwork” as amateur driver quality. It has a nice shine, looks great from a few feet and gets admirers everywhere it goes …. but be advised it is NOT a show quality paint job. If it were, the truck would be priced accordingly.   

Mechanical

It has received a TOTAL mechanical restoration and can be driven anywhere with confidence. All the gauges are new and work. It has new wiring, new gas tank, new gas lines, new brakes, etc. The shifts are tight and crisp and the 235 motor has good power and runs super smooth. The parking break works and ALL the lights including the interior light and the license plate light work.