The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk How do I tell the difference in a 58 to a 59 apach

What are the differences?

the only basic difference is the trim, the fender spears and hood emblems are slightly different

Bill

As far as I know there is very little difference. Visually the differences would be the hood and side emblems. Also, some '59 Fleetsides had the bed side trim which wasn't available in '58 (although you see it occasionally on a '58 today, it was really a '59 option.) That's all I can think of off of the top of my head.

One big difference is the 1958 was made in 1958 and the 1959 was made in 1959.

I know, there is one in every crowd. I couldn't help myself.

actually Alan, that's the only "big" difference although to confuse the issue, some 59's were actually made in 58 and some 58's were made in 57

but here's more: 59 emblems further forward on the fenders ... the 2 tone paint pattern was different, and more colors offered ... a 9' stepside was available ... 59 had some different engine specs with better fuel economy ... optional 3.38 rear axle [more fuel economy]

Bill

No, there's two in every crowd. Check the VIN. Seriously, as Old Gold and Red said, Emblems: 58 has a "fin" on fender emblem, 59 does not.
Like a "shark fin", the shark eight you! Now you will never forget! And of course the hood emblem on 58 has "wings" to help it fly str-eight. OK, Ok, ok. Bartamos

Correct seat fabrics would have been different also but as Bill stated these too were "carried over" between 57-59 due to surplus/shortage of stock. Hood and fender emblems were also carried over between 58-59 for stockage reasons and sure many of us have seen 58's or 59's with "incorrect hood and/or emblems.

ok that is some good rememberable advice thank you everyone!

A 59's side spears are further forward than those on the 58', so if a truck was missing all of its badges you could tell by the mounting holes on the front fenders.

Never heard that before.

Me neither.
BWT, the 9' Stepside bed was available all years of TF truck production on 3800 trucks.

What I was trying to say was at times one can find a truck with "mixed" emblems. Here are a couple of examples I found in the gallery.

The first http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/smith_l_1958.html is the owner says a 58 but due to receiving 59 replacement fenders which the 58 emblems would not fit replaced them with 59 fender emblems but kept the 58 hood emblem.

The second http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/weick_steve_1959.html is said to have been a restored 59. Note however the 58 V8 hood emblem. Factory or replacement I know not.

I have talked to two separate individuals who assembled trucks during this time period and both told me that it was common practice at that time to use up previous year stock or to use advance stock if model year supply ran out. This was the same for interior fabrics I was told. One can only guess as to what other parts may have been substituted on the assembly line. Personally I have seen the emblem mismatch three or for times on 58 and 59 trucks I've run across. Some had the correct hood emblem and incorrect fender emblems others were vice versa.

Hope this is a better explanation.