The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1959 Apache 31 Build - "Ol Blue, The Family Truckster"

My Chevy Apache 31 shortbed stepside was born in Comanche, Texas in 1959. My grandmother Ruby Nelson bought it brand new and used it as a light-duty farm truck, mostly for delivering chickens and chicken eggs around the De Leon area. My grandfather Coy Nelson drove it around also (when grandma would let him). In 1966, my grandparents gave the truck to my dad, Bob Nelson. He used it as a daily driver for years.....I remember him picking me up from school in it throughout most of my elementary school days. It was a special treat to ride home in the back!!! Ol Blue went into semi-retirement around 2005 and did a great deal of sitting around, just begging to take a jog around the neighborhood. Except for the once-a-month engine startup, Ol Blue didn't see much action during this time. In 2010 Dad turned Ol Blue over to me, and it sat in my driveway most of the time. Beginning in 2014 I started to get serious about returning Ol Blue to its glory days, and thus it began:
4/24/10 - Replaced headlight relay switch and headlights
5/15/10 - Replaced heater core
5/22/10 - Replaced radio, added speakers
7/17/10 - Replaced rotor, points, cleaned rocker arms, adjusted valves
1/24/14 - 1/29/14 - New battery, points, plugs, set timing, new clutch, reset plug wires, new fuel filter, new radiator cap
1/30/14 - 4 new tires, Hankook Dynapro HT RH12 - P235/75R15XL 108T OWL
2/6/14 – Windshield and back window replaced
3/3/14 - New side/vent glass on both sides
3/6/14 - Replaced gas tank, added sending unit, replaced temp gauge, replaced choke and throttle knobs, replaced fuel pump, rebuilt carb, replaced side windows, valve job, cleaned oil obstruction in block
3/31/14 - Replaced leaking seal, lubed speedometer cable, adjusted gas gauge

Next thing up is a makeover, both inside and outside. The interior will be repainted a two-tone, Comanche Gold Metallic and Charcoal Grey. The seat will be redone, new visors, mirrors, lights. All the pedals will get new rubber as well as the floor. The exterior will be painted the original Tartan Turquoise. It will get a new oak wood bed with polished steel separators. This part of the project will start around the end of April....can't wait!!!!