1961 Chevy C10 Apache Stepside
Ronald L. Replogle
Swanton, Ohio
Phantom 309 saved from the crusher.
This is my 1961 C10 Apache Stepside. I found him quit by accident. I wasn’t even looking for a truck. By sometimes they just find you; and BAMM!
I found this truck 2 years ago on July 3, 2009 while going to help a buddy of mine do his DJ karaoke thing. There he sat. Four flat tires, bent and torn sheet metal and no drive train. Just a rolling chassis with mostly intact glass. I asked the person that owned the property what the story was on it.
The guy that owned the property said it was heading off to be scrapped. I figured what can it hurt to just look at it? Not much right. I realized it was as old as me. So I asked the land owner to find out if the actual owner would sell it; but only if he had a clear title to it. The next week I came by again helping my buddy. And the land owner told me “Yes it was for sale”.
The best part was $125 dollars delivered to me. So I went home and talked it over with the other half. Well, she is a special woman or I would never have married her. She agreed to the purchase, sight unseen. So I called the land owner and made a deal to pay for it and see about the delivery. The purchase went great.
Getting my new to me truck was not so much fun. A year later in a rain shower I went and brought him home. I spent all winter with this truck in the driveway. At least he wasn’t going to be crushed. I named the truck Phantom 309 after the Red Sovine song.
The reason for this is that every time I went near the truck I either heard that song on the radio or in my head. It was also the song playing when I was a kid and first seen one of these trucks. Where ever you are Mr. Sovine. Thank you.
The plans for this truck are fairly simple. At least to me they are. I am planning to make a 1970’s vintage, drag race tow rig. This will require installing a 383 stroker based on a SBC. An overdrive automatic tranny. And a posi rear end and a front disc brake upgrade. You see I am a lifelong drag racer. And I always said if I go back to racing I am going back with a tow rig and trailer. Since I currently own a 1970 Chevy Nova. Well you can see what I’m going for here. In short my own shop truck and tow rig rolled into one. Vintage style, like both of us.
So while I get the parts together for the 383 build, tranny brake upgrade and posi. He sits. Safe from a far too early death in the jaws of a crusher. I check the Stovebolt sight about 3 or 4 times a week and love what I am reading. Keep it up people. 
http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k611/Rons_Rides/100_4281.jpghttp://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k611/Rons_Rides/100_3531.jpghttp://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k611/Rons_Rides/61_C10_Apache_left_side12.jpghttp://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k611/Rons_Rides/61C10Apacherightside.jpgThis is my email address.
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