Fun To Drive: 1958 Chevrolet Apache Pickup
I really love it when I see a vehicle listed for sale, and the owner describes it as being fun to drive. Well, that’s the story with this 1958 Chevrolet Apache. It is far from perfect, but it is mechanically sound, and with it wearing the scars of a life in service, it is just dripping with character. The next owner could quite easily choose to drive and enjoy this classic pickup as it currently stands. It is also possible that they might have other plans for it. Located in Sacramento, California, you will find the Apache listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set the BIN at $12,000, but the option is available to make an offer. A big thank you has to go out to Barn Finder Ikey H for spotting this classic for us.
The Apache is an honest old vehicle. The panels wear plenty of dings and dents, but they could all be repaired quite easily. The owner does admit that it has received a repaint in the past, and the green that graces the panels is definitely darker than the original paint in the engine bay. There is also some evidence of Bondo that is starting to crack, but in a vehicle of this type and age, that probably isn’t that surprising. There are a few spots of rust visible, but these are pretty minor and have afflicted the usual spots like the lower corners of the doors, and the lower cab corners. The steps look good, while the owner says that the floors and the areas around the hinges are solid. The pickup rolls on its original 16″ wheels that have been shod with a set of period-correct Firestone tires. We don’t receive any information direct information on the state of the frame, but there is video footage available, and apart from some surface corrosion, it does appear to be structurally sound.
One area where the Chevy is showing its age is inside. The biggest issue is the seat, which needs new foam and a new cover. Mind you, I have to say that I would be very tempted to fit new foam and then throw a blanket over it because that would definitely help to maintain the vehicle’s character. The painted surfaces are sporting obvious surface corrosion, but there’s nothing there that would require urgent attention. The rest of the interior is complete, and one item that is in quite surprising condition is the steering wheel. There are cracks at the base of the spokes, but these aren’t severe. I would be very tempted to try my hand at restoring it before I would even consider sourcing a replacement. Of course, if the next owner intends to drive the Apache largely unmolested, the wheel could stay exactly as it is. One cool feature that often gets removed from these old buses over the years is the floor-mounted starter button. They do cop a fair amount of wear and tear and can be susceptible to mud and water. The original button in this pickup is still in its rightful place, and it still functions perfectly.
Now we get to the beating heart of the Apache, which is a 235ci 6-cylinder engine. This one is bolted to a 4-speed manual transmission, and the good news here is that it all functions exactly as it should. You will find a YouTube video at the bottom of this article, and in the spirit of a picture being worth a thousand words, it describes better than I could just how well the pickup starts and runs. The engine sounds really clean and strong, and it is hard to believe that it is 62-years-old. The only issue of any note is the fact that the brake pedal is said to be soft. The owner believes that the cause is almost certainly the master cylinder, and he is including a brand new one in the sale.
I’ve really developed something of a soft spot for these old pickups in recent times, but even my attitude towards them as a potential project vehicle has changed. It wasn’t that long ago where I would have relished the idea of grabbing this Apache, dismantling it, and performing a meticulous restoration. If that’s how you feel, I understand that, and I respect it. Today, I would be very tempted to do something with the seat, and then drive it as it stands, reveling in the experience of driving a vehicle with some real character about it. You might not agree with me, but that is the beauty of the classic car scene. Every one of us has a different idea of what defines perfection, and different ideas about what we would do with this pickup if we owned it. I just hope that someone gets it and preserves it in some form or another. I would like to think that in another 62-years, someone who writes for Barn Finds will have the opportunity to write another article about this awesome old Chevy.
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Comments
I had the GMC version with a 292 transplant. It took a lot of abuse and kept on rolling. I’d keep this beauty as stock as possible.
The floor starter is called a pedal.
While I think this is a fantastic find, fun to drive? Maybe for about 15 minutes. They were never meant to be “fun”, they were all business. From the tip toe dance to get it going, to straight axle steering and ride. It was more machine than pleasure. Fast forward to today, while adequate for 1957, it falls way short for todays driving. Fact is, I’ve grown tired of my ’77 GMC. A good truck, but not much fun to drive. That rear bumper and stepside and pale green, could indicate some kind of forestry or municipal vehicle. It’s the only way you’d see something like this. Naturally, I think they’re a bit optimistic on the price, and 55 people( so far) think so, as well.
I did a nut-and-bolt restoration on a ’59. Very discreet upgrades will preserve the look and improve safety & performance. A dual master cylinder swap is easy and increases braking safety. With a readily available adapter plate a T-5 transmission bolts right up to the 235 and gets rid of the workhorse granny first gear plus gives a 5th gear for highway driving. You can even keep the original shift lever (tho it has to be relocated further back).
Great truck, great look, and if it’s structurally solid it should be left cosmetically as is.
This ol gal worked for a living. Howard made some great points. Driving the newer stuff we get used to state of the art brakes. power steering, accident survival, great ride and handling etc. I was road testing a 64 Galaxie a few years ago, had brand new brakes,etc, A family of ducks was crossing the road in front of me and I had to make a panic. Both feet on the brake, grab the wheel with both hands, and spincter grabbing for the seat. Stopped in time but hmm..humbled. Love cruising in my old cars but for a long distance this ol grey hair its something newer! Stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
Great truck! Interesting that different colors seem to run rampant for a year or so. Back in the day there had to be two identical trucks to this one out west. Well, they didn’t have the 16 inch wheels and one was a 3-spd. There were also a couple of 3-tons painted the same color. It seems to me that a pickup sold at the Lambrecht auction was also this color. Quite a challenge for the ‘Art and Color Department.’ What can we use for the most disgusting color for this year. Some one in the back sneezes. ‘Hey, Snotty Greeen! That’s the new color!’ Yet I actually LIKE that color…
Agree with S. Craig completely. A couple “invisible” upgrades and drive it!
I really like this truck. I wouldn’t do much to it except paint it a different color. Even when they were new I didn’t like that shade of green. A darker green would be fine though like perhaps forest green. Oh yeah I guess that big back bumper would have to go. My dad always had those on his pickups, he called them Barden bumpers.
God bless America
My dad always had a bumper that would double duty as traction. Dad also had those ridiculous bush guards. But the cattle still managed to cave in at least one door…
I have a 56 GMC that was my work truck for years. True it will take your complete attention when you are driving it. You don’t exactly “drive” one of these, you more or less “herd” it. If you have ever seen an old movie where they were moving the steering wheel back and forth while they were driving, that’s what you do here. No power steering, no rack and pinion. You learn to read the road and traffic ahead because these are no vehicles to be making sudden moves with. I got tired of herding my 56 back and forth to work so I garaged it and gave it to my son.
Damn I love these trucks!!!
Hi guys! This one checks all the boxes for me too. I’d use it as is awhile and then bring the old gal back to her former good looks as time permitted. Shoot, she’s in better shape than our
F-250 pickup project that we’re working on right now. Just got
some of the electrical problems sorted and my BIL now drives it
at least twice a week. Next issue to be tackled will be the A/C so
that he can drive it full time. It can get to be 115 degrees here in
Florida during the summer months and riding in the truck can be compared to riding inside an oven. Nice find though.
Great truck… dizzy-ing price