The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks found another 61 Apache...what do you think?

Hey guys,

Because of the past year of driving my truck, and finding out how full of holes and bondo it really is, I caved, and started looking for another one. I found another 61 and had a look at it today. Can't give any pics of it, but it is on Kijiji under Calgary, although the truck is in Radium BC.

It's got 60,000 miles, inline six with three speed, rear end completely rebuilt. The body on it is very solid to my understanding...the front fenders are rusted on the bottoms, but could be fixed with just some small patch panels. The doors will need work, and the drivers rocker needs to be replaced. One floor support on the back pass side is rotted, but the rest seem to look fine. There's a small hole in the floor on passenger front. Rest of the truck is faded, has that "patina" look, so it's ugly compared to the one I have, but very solid. The hood, cab (except driver's rocker) and box are nearly perfect. It will likely need a different set of tires and some exhaust work done before I could drive it three hours home. He's asking $3500 for it (keep in mind, this is Canada...) I paid $3000 for the prettier but less solid one I have now. But that one does have the 283, which I was told is worth something.

Just wanted to tell you guys, see what you think about it. I can't park two trucks here, would have to get rid of the blue one before anything.

I do not think that is a bad price myself. Any running truck could bring that. Of course, you could point out the shortcomings and try and knock off accordingly.

Solid is good.

If it were me, and you're seriously looking at getting a new truck rather than repair the one you have, I'd get the more solid one, and then swap all the parts over from your driver, put the other bits on the driver and sell it.

I know you said you can't park two trucks, but these things are EASY to work on, and if you get a couple buddies, you should be able to swap everything in a weekend.

I wouldn't worry about the 283... swap in any V8--it's dead simple. And a later V8 is cheap. Heck, the low-horse crate engines can't be beat. I've got one in my '62, and have over 20,000 trouble-free miles on it in two years. Leaving the 283 in your current truck will keep the value of it up when you sell, and then you can get a new V8 and swap it for the 6 in the new truck.

-Brad

Thanks Brad. There's honestly not much I would swap over from my current truck, to be honest. Maybe the front bumper and the chrome pieces on the front, but other than that...

Reason I can't have two trucks is because I still don't own my own place. I rent off my buddy who lives upstairs. The fact I already have two vehicles here is bad enough. I would have to either rent a place to store the new one (assuming I bought it) until I sell the old one, or, put my current one up for sale now, and tell the guy selling the other one that if i sell mine first, I'll buy his...but if he sells his first, I'll keep mine. Kind of a wierd situation really. But regardless, my current truck will more likely go up for sale, as I now know what to look for, and have realized that there are better trucks out there to be had.

I love this style truck Chevy made. Only one like it. Glad to see the hood is original to the truck. Most people did not like these hoods. If you find extra trim, keep me in mind, I need some for my project.

Good luck with your great looking truck! And keep us all up to date.

Thanks...except it's for sale now. I've decided that it needs too much bodywork for a beginner like me. That blue paint is deceiving, there's alot of bondo under there. I feel that there's better more solid trucks to be had. But, if I don't sell this in a few months I might just put up with it and keep it.