01 January 2012
# 2931

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1961 Chevy C10 Apache Stepside

"Phantom 309"

Owned by
Ron "RonsRides" Replogle
Swanton, Ohio

From Ron :

I saved this old truck from the crusher. It is my 1961 C10 Apache Stepside. I found him quite by accident. I wasn’t even looking for a truck. Sometimes they just find you ... and BAMM!

I came across this truck two years ago on July 3, 2009 while going to help a buddy of mine do his DJ / karaoke thing. There the old truck sat. Four flat tires, bent and torn sheet metal and no drive train. He was just a rolling chassis with mostly intact glass.

I asked the person that owned the property what the story was on it. He said it was heading off to be scrapped. I figured what can it hurt to just look at it? Not much, right.

I realized it was as old as me. So I asked the landowner to find out if the actual owner would sell it -- but only if he had a clear title to it. The next week I came by again helping my buddy. And the landowner told me, “Yes it was for sale.”

The best part was the price: $125 delivered to me.

I went home and talked it over with the other half. Well, she is a special woman or I would never have married her. She agreed to the purchase, sight unseen.

I called the landowner and made a deal to pay for it and see about the delivery. The purchase went great. Getting my new-to-me truck was not so much fun. It was a year later in a rain shower I went and brought him home.

I spent all that winter with this truck in the driveway. At least he wasn’t going to be crushed.

I named the truck Phantom 309 after the Red Sovine song. The reason for this is that every time I went near the truck, I either heard that song on the radio or in my head. It was also the song playing when I was a kid and first saw one of these trucks. Where ever you are Mr. Sovine, thank you.

The plans for this truck are fairly simple. At least to me they are. I plan to make a 1970’s vintage, drag race tow rig. This will require installing a 383 stroker based on a SBC, an overdrive automatic tranny, and a posi rear end and a front disc brake upgrade. You see, I am a lifelong drag racer. And I always said if I go back to racing, I am going back with a tow rig and trailer.

Since I currently own a 1970 Chevy Nova, well you can see what I’m going for here. In short my own shop truck and tow rig rolled into one. vintage style, like both of us.

So while I get the parts together for the 383 build, tranny brake upgrade and posi, he sits. Safe from a far too early death in the jaws of a crusher.

I check the Stovebolt sight about three or four times a week and love what I am reading.

Keep it up people.

Owned by Ron Replogle
"RonsRides"
Bolter # 29589

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