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#590396 - Fri Nov 06 2009 06:29 PM 1959 Chevrolet Apache 31 Step Side
1959 Taskmaster 31 Offline
New Guy
Registered: Thu Oct 13 2005 12:00 PM
Posts: 15
Loc: South Carolina
I have my dad's old truck under a shed. It is all original, has around 97,000 original miles on it.
One of my uncles bought this truck new back in early 1959. He drove it for about a year and decided he wanted a car. Dad bought from him and is the second owner.
Is this model sought after and would it be worth (other than the obvious sentimental value) to fully restore this truck? It would not take much as it is in very good condition.

Thanks
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#590401 - Fri Nov 06 2009 06:47 PM Re: 1959 Chevrolet Apache 31 Step Side [Re: 1959 Taskmaster 31]
Ghostrider Offline
Shop Shark
Registered: Fri Mar 12 2004 12:00 PM
Posts: 911
Loc: Binghamton, NY
If it's already in very good condition, just drive it!
_________________________
Steve

'49 3800
'52 3600


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#590423 - Fri Nov 06 2009 08:08 PM Re: 1959 Chevrolet Apache 31 Step Side [Re: Ghostrider]
1959 Taskmaster 31 Offline
New Guy
Registered: Thu Oct 13 2005 12:00 PM
Posts: 15
Loc: South Carolina
The good condition is based on what I see around from that model year. This truck has sat for some years.
It would need new tires, all fluids would need to be flushed/changed, new battery, etc.
I am tempted just do that and put it on the road for a while.
It would be one of the easier restorations due to the good metal and no rust, etc.
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#590435 - Fri Nov 06 2009 08:59 PM Re: 1959 Chevrolet Apache 31 Step Side [Re: 1959 Taskmaster 31]
cletis Offline

Extreme Gabster
Registered: Sat May 19 2001 12:00 PM
Posts: 5701
Loc: Parker County Texas
The first thing to do is all new brake components. Then, as you say, tires, fluids, battery, etc.

By all means get it running and drive it as is for a while. Repair the little things while using it. Un-restored trucks are always a hit at local car shows. And they are fun to drive. Get used to people waving at you.

Don't try to start that engine on old gasoline. Go to our Engine and Driveline section and do a search for "starting" for discussions of what you need to do.
_________________________
"It's just a phase. He'll grow out of it." Mama, 1964

1956 Chevy
1953 Chevy 6100 "The Yard dog"
1954 GMC Suburban
My TRUCKS website
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#590532 - Sat Nov 07 2009 08:49 AM Re: 1959 Chevrolet Apache 31 Step Side [Re: cletis]
1959 Taskmaster 31 Offline
New Guy
Registered: Thu Oct 13 2005 12:00 PM
Posts: 15
Loc: South Carolina
I appreciate the great advice. If I can move some other "projects" off on my radar screen, I am going to focus on the Apache.
It was always fun to drive. Like I said, all original, drivetrain and all.
It is a "three on the tree" straight drive with a Taskmaster engine, and at 55 MPH, that old straight six is humming pretty well.
The other neat thing is that I have a John Deere 730 Diesel tractor from the exact same model year. Too bad the Apache will not handle a trailer that would haul it.
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#590787 - Sun Nov 08 2009 11:27 AM Re: 1959 Chevrolet Apache 31 Step Side [Re: 1959 Taskmaster 31]
Avette4me Offline
Shop Shark
Registered: Mon Feb 06 2006 12:00 PM
Posts: 1165
Loc: Tuttle, OK
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#590841 - Sun Nov 08 2009 05:17 PM Re: 1959 Chevrolet Apache 31 Step Side [Re: Avette4me]
TxLaTx Offline
Shop Shark
Registered: Sun May 21 2006 12:00 PM
Posts: 900
Loc: Fort Worth, TX USA
I'm glad you wrote that! I wrote out a similar response, going so far as to check up on the weight of a 730 (~7000 lbs, by the way) and then got to thinking that I'd be poking my nose in something I know little about, so I deleted it.

I don't see why it couldn't tow the tractor, given a reasonable trailer rig. It has the torque and the brakes; I would think that a proper trailer could get that tongue weight to acceptable levels.

Bill
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#590854 - Sun Nov 08 2009 06:08 PM Re: 1959 Chevrolet Apache 31 Step Side [Re: TxLaTx]
1959 Taskmaster 31 Offline
New Guy
Registered: Thu Oct 13 2005 12:00 PM
Posts: 15
Loc: South Carolina
I appreciate the replies.
I have other tractors that I am certain it would pull with the proper trailer, but my 1959 John Deere 730 Diesel weighs right at 10,000 LBS.
I could pull weights and options off of it and get it down under 7,500 LBS, but then it would not be a dressed out show tractor.
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#590858 - Sun Nov 08 2009 06:21 PM Re: 1959 Chevrolet Apache 31 Step Side [Re: 1959 Taskmaster 31]
Avette4me Offline
Shop Shark
Registered: Mon Feb 06 2006 12:00 PM
Posts: 1165
Loc: Tuttle, OK
yea, 10K might be just a bit much...
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