1959 was the last year for Chevy’s Task Force pickups, which first arrived in 1955. They would be replaced in 1960 with the first of many generations of C/K Series pickups, which featured a kicked-up front frame, allowing for a significantly lower cab.
This Apache 32 Series (1/2 ton, 8′ bed) was found by Corey Behrens in Castricum, NL, where so many old American cars and trucks go for their retirement years.
Based on the hood emblem which is lacking a wide V under and behind the bowtie, this truck started life like so many of its kind with the 235 c.i. Thriftmaster six, rated at 135 hp. There were some changes to the six in 1959, including a revised camshaft profile which “boosts efficiency and torque in the normal operating range”. Its 8.25:1 compression ratio was fairly high for the times.
The optional 283 V8 Trademaster V8 was rated at 160 hp, tuned for light truck use. A three speed was standard and optional were the four-speed Hydramatic and the HD 4-speed manual with extra low first gear.
Chevy pioneered the Fleetside bed in 1955 with its limited-production Cameo Carrier, whose bed was made up of fiberglass sections surrounding the stepside bed of the times. That was offered through 1957, and replaced in 1958 with a proper steel body that now came in both 6.5′ and 8′ lengths. Their popularity increased steadily over the years. But the floor was still wood, and would be for a number of years yet.
The white “rocket” on the bed’s side looks a bit like a 2″ PVC drain pipe.
Sweet old truck that’s found a new home far from home.
What a nice old survivor .
I like the Task Force trucks in spite of the nasty dog leg in the door opening .
I used to have a 1955 Chevy tow truck, it was a battered P.O.C. but it always ran fine and I worked it like a rented mule .
It had a 235 i6 and four speed compound low first gear Muncie SM420 four speed tranny with PTO for the hoist winch .
-Nate
Nice truck! That’s just the right amount of patina.
And nice location too, my grandparents were married at Castricum town hall in 1936, which is now a hotel. I should go stay there sometime…
Terrific photos, Corey. Interesting narrative to go with them, too, Mr. N.
Was the high point of my morning.
Best wishes to each of you.
I had the same truck but a step side when I left the Air Force in 1968. I put a 327 V8 in it and drove from Whiteman AFB in Missouri to Connecticut. I gave the truck to my father and went back to KCMO to get married to my girl friend who just finished college and had a 1963 Impala SS conv. Both the SS and first wife are long gone and I am in Texas now! Memories!
I was at WAFB from 73-77 and lived at the hobby shop.
Fond memories (of the hobby shop). 🙂
This is the generation that seemed to be the least common in my life, probably because of the relatively short lifespan of this generation. It seemed like Advance Design trucks were still on every farm into the mid 60s, and then the 1960+ trucks took over for them.
Had Chevy stopped offering OD in trucks by then?
Can you please post something on the frame design? I am not following the logic. Thanks
The 1960 frame, like the 1961 Ford pickup frame, was not straight, but dipped down under the cab to lower the floor. Here’s a snipped from Vince C’s excellent CC post on the new 1960 Chevy pickups:
To complement this new, smooth riding suspension Chevrolet also engineered a new chassis to help the 1960 Chevrolet trucks be the lowest riding trucks yet. Unlike previous designs, which were essentially arrow straight ladder frames, the new 1960 chassis was more car-like then ever. The chassis center section dipped down to allow for the body to sit lower to the ground, easing entry and exit while also lowering the center of gravity. It also included a big “X” brace, which help make the 1960 chassis more than 10 times more rigid than the 1959 chassis. This advanced new chassis was limited to ½ ton and ¾ ton 2WD models.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/automotive-history-1960-66-chevrolet-pick-up-trucks-the-first-modern-pick-up/
Back in my service station days, our shop truck was a 1960 Ford F-100. Bone stock except for the fancy lettering my boss had hand painted on the doors and two, too small push bars on the bumper. All around pleasure to drive. Everything just fell into place and plenty of power and visibility. Had to drive a customer’s similar Apache once – day and night comparison. Felt like I was driving a tower. Hard to judge distances, had to think to fully throw out the clutch. I’m average height. The Apache does look better though especially with that fancy box.
It might just be drainpipe.
Same truck in 2016?:
https://www.google.com/maps/@52.5426754,4.6634523,3a,52.7y,261.61h,70.46t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbHSMgHHiTBAlniiYORWRTQ!2e0!5s20160901T000000!7i13312!8i6656
It’s not drainpipe, the bed is embossed and someone used paint to highlight it .
-Nate
Love ‘em simply for the fact that they look ready to work hard!!