1959 Chevy Truck Review: Exciting Truck for Collectors

The 1959 Chevy Truck is one vehicle that would make a great addition to your classic collection of pickup trucks. The classic Chevrolet truck is often overlooked by enthusiasts, but if you’re looking to get all the best ‘50s models, you should consider this.

The 1959 Chevy Apache has its roots in the iconic Task Force trucks, another series that will appeal to car lovers. In this guide, we take a closer look at this iconic pickup truck, its history, and some of the features and specifications you should expect.

What Is the 1959 Chevy Truck?

The 1959 Chevy Truck is a half-ton truck that was released in the 1959 model year. It was called the 1959 Chevrolet Apache and is a light-duty pickup truck, which was a successor to the Task Force. The Apache also came with a lot of firsts in the Chevrolet series.

With the Chevrolet Apache, drivers enjoyed the unique Fleetside pickup box and four headlights with a shortened but wider grille. Chevy also introduced different features mid-year, making this the first wide-bodied cab from them. The grille also came with parking lights and factory-equipped air conditioning, the biggest change from Chevrolet.

From 1959, the Chevy trucks, which were light-duty Task Force, were renamed Apache. But the mid-duty trucks were called Vikings while the heavy-duty trucks were renamed as the Spartans. These were the best-selling trucks from Chevrolet that year.

The 1959 Apache lasted until 1961 before they were replaced by later trucks. Now, these trucks are a precious addition to any collector’s garage. The truck styling and passenger comfort are what appeal to those who enjoy driving these cars.

History of the 1959 Chevrolet Truck

The Apache began in 1955, when the Task Force was released, until 1959, when the unique Apache was released. The history is rooted in the Chevrolet Advance Design trucks, which debuted in 1947 after the Second World War. Once the war ended, Chevy released the Advance Design truck, followed by Task Force and then Apache.

• The Chevy Task Force

The Task Force pickup trucks were introduced in 1955 by Chevrolet and are the successor of the Advanced Design pickups. Around this time, Chevrolet was dominating the pickup truck industry, and Ford or GM were not yet America’s favorites. The small-block 4.3-liter V8 engine in the Chevy trucks was really popular over the Ford V8s.

The 4.3-liter V8 engine was not only in the Task Force but also in the Corvette and Bel Air. The Task Force pickup trucks had different features, like the wraparound windshield, which was called the “sweep sigh windshield.” The Task Force truck also came with bore hooded headlights that were placed in visored fenders.

Other features on the truck included the concealed running board and egg-crate grille, one feature that allowed drivers to easily identify the truck. Below the fender was a one-piece emblem. Drivers could enjoy the power steering and brakes, tubeless tires and 12-volt electrical system.

There was an overdrive feature on the half-ton truck with an optional four-speed automatic transmission. One highlight of the Task Force trucks was the dual-tone Cameo Carrier, which was a pickup truck with a sporty look that inspired the Chevy El Camino. It was fitted with rear fiberglass fenders, V8 engines and power assist features, and a luxurious interior.

• The Release of the Apache

As time went on, the Task Force pickups improved in their looks, with better technological features too. This paved the way for the 1959 Apache. By 1958, the Chevy engine was a 4.7-liter 283 ci V8, and it came with a Rochester mechanical fuel injection system as optional. It could now produce an impressive one hp per cubic inch, and it now made 283 horsepower.

There were other firsts in 1958 too, like increasing the headlights from two to four and a shorter and wider grille. Chevy also released the Fleetside pickup box, which was a unique design with a wide-bodied look. There were parking lights on the grille and factory-equipped air conditioning.

The light-duty Chevrolet Task Force trucks were renamed Apache in 1959. By 1960, it was then replaced by C/K trucks, which lasted until 1966 in the first generation. Until 1961, the Apache continued, as well as the mid-duty and heavy-duty trucks.

Since the 1959 Apache is a pretty old pickup truck, it would be hard to get one for your collection. If you want to identify the Chevrolet Apache, you should check for the Fleetside design, four headlights and point out the grille, which should be shorter. Most of them also come with air conditioning.

Features and Specs of the 1959 Chevrolet Pickup

The 1950 Chevy truck is a light-duty truck with unique features and factory options that buyers could benefit from.

• Unique Styling

The 1959 Apache pickup came with unique features in the style, like the step-side and fleet-side styling. The step-side cargo bed was the Chevy pickup style years before the fleet-side styling emerged with the 1959 model. With the steep side design, the truck got a wheel well on the exterior of the cargo box area and a step. It also had a slimmer cargo bed.

The fleetside design was introduced by Chevrolet in 1958, and it gained a lot of popularity for the trucks as they were considered fashion-conscious. You can still find this design on pickup trucks made by Dodge, General Motors and other brands. The exterior wall of the truck bed is flat, and there are wheel well arches contained in it.

The latter design is different compared to the step-side styling, as Chevy placed the wheel walls on the outside of the cargo bed instead. You can also find a similar design on the Ford pickup trucks, as they feature flareside and style side designs. The former is similar to stepside, while the latter comes with a flat rear quarter panel style.

• Engine Power

The light-duty Apache from 1959 was powered by three engines. These included a 238 cubic-inch Straight Six, a 265 cubic-inch V8, and a 283 cubic-inch V8 which drivers could pick from. The standard transmission for the pickup truck was a three-speed manual transmission.

The optional transmission included an overdrive, a heavy-duty three-speed manual transmission, a four-speed manual transmission, and a GM Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission. The 238 cubic-inch engine offers 116 horsepower or 85.376 kw. It also had a valvetrain which was 12 OHV, 2 valves per cylinder. The engine displacement is 3900 cc.

• Other Specifications

The 1959 truck offers two-wheel and four-wheel drive options, all with four-wheel drum brakes. The optional features were full air and rugged air hydraulic systems. The car came with an engine in the front location, and there was a rear-wheel drive type. It also came with a steel unibody construction on the body or chassis.

The dimensions of the 1959 truck included a 114.0-inch wheelbase. The overall outside length for the short-bed pickup truck was 183.8 inches, while the length for the long-bed was 191.3 inches. The car came with two doors, and there was a seating capacity of three.

1959 Chevrolet 3100 Apache 4X4

The 1959 Chevrolet 3100 Apache 4X4 is an impressive car with a 350 V8 engine size and 4-speed manual transmission. This is one of the most popular classic trucks that you can still purchase today. It also comes with a Holley 4-barrel carburetor on an aluminum intake manifold.

The hybrid truck is an ideal choice for hobbyists, as it offers old-school looks and a solid chassis that it was running with. The 3100 Apache 4X4 pickup truck was a handsome truck with excellent bodywork, and it came with a step-side bed. This gave it a muscular look, along with the oversized tires in the fenders.

The grille and bumpers also add to the big and intimidating look of the truck. As for the interior, the 1959 model came with a basic design. It comes with a two-tone bench seat with pleated inserts, making it more comfortable for the passengers.

The car was also comfortable while pulling long hauls. It also came with a fat wood-rimmed wheel that was easy to identify. You would see an AM radio on the interior, but some collectors replace this with more digital units. It also came with gauges for monitoring the engine and an 8-ball shift knob connected to the 4-speed manual gearbox, and a 2-speed transfer case.

Reputation as a Collector Truck

The 1959 Chevy truck is one of the most popular options for drivers who are looking for a unique truck to add to their collection. Chevrolet is known for their sturdy, trend-setting trucks from after the Second World War. The Task Force trucks were popular from 1955 to 1959 and then came the 1959 Apache.

One of the reasons why the Apache is one of the best options for collectors is its unique features. It came with V8 engines, wraparound windshields and 12-volt electrical systems, and the 1959 trucks were ideal for cargo hauling and passenger amenities. Due to this, collector prices for light-duty trucks have risen.

If you enjoy restoring old or classic trucks, you can also consider the Apache too. The light-duty truck will be a rewarding project, which readily available parts that you can purchase from stores. The design of the truck is not complex, so anyone with mechanical experience or expertise can find their way around the car.

• Value of a 1959 Chevy in Good Condition

You can get a 1959 Apache for as low as $6,380 and as high as $140,000. If you’re in need of this truck, the lowest sale auction for the truck is $6,380. You would most likely find a low price if the car is in bad condition, but if the car is in pristine condition, you will spend up to six figures.

If you have an old 1959 Apache in your garage, you can gain a lot from reviving it and even selling it. Alternatively, you can buy a cheap one from an antique car market and then fix it up to meet your needs. The truck remains a top-of-the-line vehicle for all collectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

– How Many 1959 Chevrolet Trucks Were Produced?

There were about 297,000 1959 Chevrolet pickup trucks produced in that model year. Despite the hundreds of thousands of trucks made in that year, it’s difficult to get these classic cars today as they are considered to be quite rare.

– What Were the 1967 Chevy Trucks Called?

The 1967 Chevy trucks were called Action Line vehicles. These trucks were released between the years 1967 and 1972 and were made by Chevrolet and GMC. Most 1967 Chevy trucks were designed with coil spring rear suspension, making them unique.

– What Is The First Chevy Truck?

The first Chevy truck was the Model 490 Light Delivery Chassis truck, which was released in 1918. This also laid the foundation for their first pickup truck. It was very popular in 1918, and there were several factory-design truck models.

Conclusion

The 1959 Chevy truck is one of the best and most underrated classic trucks that you can add to your collection.

Here’s a rundown of what we covered before you go:

• The 1959 Chevy truck is the Apache, which was released after the Task Force series, which ended in 1959.
• It came with a Fleetside design, which was after the Stepside design, and offered a fashionable look for a car.
• The car was powered by three engines, including two V8 engines, and transmission options including overdrive.
• It also comes with a 114-inch wheelbase with a seating capacity of three.
• The lowest auction price for the Chevy truck is $6,380, while the most expensive is $140,000.

With this guide, we offer all you need to know about the 1959 Chevrolet Apache truck, as it is a unique option for drivers to enjoy. If you’re a collector, you should definitely consider this a worthy addition!