1958 Chevrolet Big Window Stepside

01 December 2009 Update
# 2526

From Steve :

	Owned by Steve "The Doctor" Fager "bigdog58" Bolter # 19736 Idaho

I wanted to update my Gallery page for my 1958 Chevy Big Window Deluxe Apache. Since my original post early this year, I have made some improvements.

First, I installed a 700R and a 373 gear posi rear end. The transmission is out of a 1978 Chevy and the rear end is out of a 1972 Chevy 4x4 so I could stick with the original 6 lug wheels.

I installed a B&M floor shifter and dismounted the three on the tree and put it in the shed.

I then installed a 4" drop axle from Sid's Dropped Axles which gave it the stance I wanted. I removed three springs from the front and four from the rear. I also fabricated 1" longer shackles in the rear for another 1" drop.

Under the hood, I removed the original intake, oil bath and carb and replaced them with a Corvette intake, valve covers and an Edelbrock carb. I found the intake in town for $25 and the valve covers for another $50. I did all the polishing and painting myself to save some duckets. Looks nice under there now.

Oh, and found a flamed chrome air cleaner on eBay for $25.

The last thing I did was fix the crappy body work someone did on the fenders and doors. I also replaced the dash panel and installed the original radio I had from a previous truck.

Once all the body work was complete and patches were welded in instead of rivited, she went to the paint booth. I get some real looks now and no more looking like a farm truck. She sits low and looks mean now.

I took her to a local car show here in Boise, Idaho. She won two trophies. One was "People's Choice" and the other was "Best in Class".

Thanks for looking and good luck with your projects.

Steve from I-DA-HO

07 February 2009
# 2526

From Steve :

This is me and my new baby -- a 1958 Chevrolet big window Stepside. I was building another '55 big window from the ground up and just lost interest when I found this one already painted with factory re-chromed bumpers and accessories.

It is at the shop as we speak -- the 700r and Megashifter are now in. Still need to install the 3.73 12 bolt rear end. Can't wait to finally cruise at 70-80 instead of 50-55.

This is my third Task Force Chevrolet but my first Apache. I bought the painted 1955 big window with a 350/350, Camaro clip and wheels back in high school for $1500. When??? Let's just say "in the early '80's."

I was just recently doing a ground up restoration, with a powdercoated frame along with a new IFS and rear aluminum tank and posi installed. I was getting close to paint but then I found this beauty. I decided to sell the project and move on. It still needed cab corners and a rocker panel. I'm still sorry for selling #2.

Here's a photo of her. I actually broke even when I sold her so, oh well.

I found this one (#3) on eBay. She came out of Texas and she is pretty clean. She will eventually need only one cab corner -- down the road.

I am going to keep the straight axle in this one but I found a guy on eBay with an axle, including new kin pins and good spindles, for FREE. He is shipping it to Sid's Dropped Axles to get stretched out a little. I can't wait to get her on the ground where she belongs!! The IFS and clip ride a lot better but I wanna stay old school this time.

She has the original 283 but I just found a 1967-68 Vette / Camaro according to the stamping number. HP intake for $20 here in Boise. On top of it, I put a new Edelbrock 500 CFM with the electric choke and she smoked the one tire down the street!

Next is disc up front and a power steering conversion. I'll shoot some more pics when I get her back this week.

My nickname is "The Doctor" from way way back in the car business and it just stuck.

Have a great day,

Steve

-30-