The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Do It Yourself (DITY) Gallery 1959 3200 Stepside Apache - the story

Not really sure how to kick this off...
I'd been daydreaming about owning my birthyear ('59) Apache stepside truck for years.
I'd look on Ebay, watch classifieds etc... even when I saw a good candidate, I'd just shake my head and pass it by because simply, I wasn't ready for it.
When this Ebay auction popped up and the truck was within a 50 mile treck, I simply said "ok, now or never". I watched the auction end with "reserve not met" and contacted the seller to see if he was planning to relist. His answer was "no" so I asked him what he had to have for the truck. He came back with $850.
I made the trip to look it over and saw that on average, it had about as much year wear as I had on ME. I can appreciate that I reckon...
I especially liked the factory brush guard on the front and the square pattern heavy duty factory rear bumper... Both options rare.
The truck story was this: The original owner of this farm truck pulled the original 6 cylinder engine and transmission with plans to put in another '58 donor engine (I've not broken down the engines to determine condition). Sadly, the gentleman passed away before this was ever performed and the two engines sat on the ground for 20 years.
The wife eventually sold the incomplete project to my Ebay seller who resold it without transfer of title.
I talked it over with my "better half" and she encouraged me to GO FOR IT!
I called the seller again and made arrangements to bring a lowboy to pull my new toy home. When I arrived to get the truck, he and his boys had already loaded the engines into the bed of the truck for me.
The truck just barely fit between the trailer rails but it was meant to be. Lastly, we mounted the hood and Off I went.
So this is where I stop with my story until I make progress with my project.
Many thanks to Jim Karras and this website for wealth of information and exciting stories.

Nice truck! Welcome to stovebolt.

Thanks Mr. 'Mater.
Hopefully someday, my project will gleam like yours.
Nice GMC!

Glad to see you "were ready for it". I've always had a secret love for those twin headlights. Glad to have you aboard the Stovebolt. Good folks and lots of info. We will cry, [censored], whine, moan and celebrate as you make this into a nice truck like you like it. Its frustrating but very rewarding!!
Keep us posted and take plenty of pics.
You'll also find you have a lot of bolter buddies in Texas!!

Welcome aboard! Good luck with your project!

Thanks Alvin! I've always liked the twin lights too and masculine looking cab and hood. I love that all metal sound when you close the doors! It's a good, solid truck.
For me, it had to be a stepside with the spare tire mounted on the bed/fender... brings back some fond childhood memories.
I do appreciate the encouragement!
Loved the pics of your '37 and '52!
(Tipping one of my hats to you)!

Thanks Rich! I'm looking forward to gleaning information and hearing more interesting stories from folks with like interests.
Maybe I can find out how to get some parts and even deal some extras of my own to others.
Your loadmaster has my respect! Love it!

The truck looks like a winner! Welcome to the BOLT.

Good find I like the twin headlights as well.

Welcome to the "Bolt"

John

Looks better than mine when I got it!

welcome from Mesquite..............59 was a good yr,got out of high school and went into the Navy

Thanks for all the encouragement guys! I'm more excited with every small task completed...

:

Never enough when you start to put it back together.
Have fun and keep us updated.

I don''t see any way you can go wrong with that deal.
You'll be on the road in no time.
Cleon

I'm assembling and painting as I go. The Bed is now complete and I'm painting the Cab hoping to soon re-install.
Feel free to check out pics on my Facebook Page I made for the truck restoration.

Can it be? We drove my completed '59 into town!
There is such gratification in seeing people smile, wave and give thumbs up!
Though there are some loose ends we're done!
Much thanks to you Stovebolt members for advice, tips and encouragement!
Now, it's time for cleaning up the shop and selling some extra parts!
Jerry

Just saw your Facebook page. What a sweet truck! Very nice job, congratulations.