The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1959 Fleetside Apache -- bring back to life

Well, here goes with my story of my blue and white '59 Fleetside 3100 - Moonlight.

My oldest brother bought the truck in the mid 2000's give or take. In early 2009 he passed on and his widow remained at their home. She, not being very automotive minded didn't drive the truck and couple of cars he had at the time at all in the intervening years.

This past summer I learned she had to move from their house to an apartment, and the property would need to be liquidated.

I had always liked the Apache since my brother had bought it, so I approached her about buying it and in early November we struck a deal and it was mine!

As it had sat and not run in the last 6+ years it needs some going thru. I live two hours away from where it was stored and luckily there is an older gentleman that is a family friend (Richard) and a good street rod builder in the picture. He was willing to trailer it to his shop and take care of the basics to get her back to a reliable driver. Being my brother, Richard and other car guys knew each other for decades I think there is some good karma going on with this project.

So, the current work underway is:
1) The brakes are being gone thru, fresh fluid and wheel cylinders.
2) A Pertronix system/plugs/wires to handle the sparks installed.
3) Heater core being rebuilt and getting heat system operational.
4)Oil and filter changed.
5) Radiator refill/new hoses.
6) Drain stale fuel and likely carburetor rebuild.
7) General electrical checkout.
8) New tires installed.

Luckily she's been in a metal building so there hasn't been much weathering to speak of. The body is in great shape, the interior can use some freshening up as can the engine bay, which holds a 235 and three on the tree.
Most of that stuff I can tackle myself once I get it back to my place, to which I'm really looking forward.
The site looks like it has some great tips and camaraderie. Cheers.

Welcome! It will be a fitting memorial to your brother to get the truck going again. Keep us posted on your progress, and don't be afraid to ask questions here.

MoonLight
Welcome to the best info group on the net!
Check out the ODSS link on the Bolt Page, under the side lot section.
You are not that far from the StoveBolt Headquarters.
I have not met them all, but hope to do that, this next April.

Don

Very nice!

John

That's a beauty! I hope everything works out.

Leo

Thanks for the compliments guys. For a bit of an update, last week I dropped in and checked out the progress. It's moving along, the brakes, Pertronix, heater core and turn signals have been sorted.

I've ordered a few parts for things that have cropped up since the initial evaluation, a headlight switch (the dash mounted one), a fuel tank and sending unit, and heater fan switch.

I updated the Shutterfly album (link above) with a few new pictures, maybe it will road ready by the end of January.

That's a good looking truck.

Your brother MUST be smiling! Great looking truck!

I think this week end coming will be the one that I can go pick up my truck! The last job was a decision to replace the carburetor. I ordered a rebuilt Rochester and it is making its way toward the East Coast. It should get to the mechanic on Friday and it will be a quick job to swap new for old.

I'm looking forward to driving her across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to her new life among the farms.

And I did a double take looking at the American Classis Truck Parts ad on the site, gee that's Old Blue featured in that ad!