While original classic pickups from the 1950s can prove eye-catching when fully restored, the driving experience can be less than ideal. Considered acceptable when new, they can lack the power and poise of later offerings. That’s where vehicles like this 1959 Chevrolet Apache 31 fit into the equation. It presents beautifully following a frame-off refurbishment, while the upgrades to the drivetrain, steering, and brakes should combine to offer a rewarding driving experience. It is a Pickup that seems to need nothing, and as the owner rightly states, it would be an ideal choice for Saturday night cruising, a grocery-getter, or a trip to a Cars & Coffee. It needs a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. The Apache is located in Polk City, Florida, and you could park this cool classic in your driveway for $39,000.

One aspect of 1950s vehicles that has always attracted me is the color combinations that manufacturers offered during that era. This Apache perfectly encapsulates that in Tartan Turquoise and Bombay Ivory. It is very much of its time, and you would struggle to find anything similar on a modern vehicle. The paint shines beautifully, which is hardly surprising when considering that the vehicle was the recent recipient of a frame-off refurbishment. There is no evidence of any significant defects in the panels or paint, and while the owner describes the overall condition as 8/10, which could be understating things slightly. If the exterior provides positive news, the underside continues that theme. It is spotlessly clean and solid. Potential buyers won’t need to consider rust issues, which is a bonus in any vehicle of this type and age. The restorer added new bed timber, and it presents as impressively as every other aspect of this classic. The chrome sparkles in the sun, while the glass appears perfect. Rounding out this package are a dropped ride height and wider steel wheels wrapped in whitewalls.

Buyers in 1959 had a choice of engines to slot under the hood of their new Apache, and while a 283ci V8 was on that list, the one in this Pickup would be a rung or two above average. The original motor would have provided 160hp and 270 ft/lbs of torque. Both figures were considered respectable in 1959, but it ramps up a notch or two in this classic. This shiny new 283 comes equipped with a better intake, a 4-barrel carburetor, headers, and a dual exhaust. Even without knowing the specifics of any internal upgrades, the breathing improvements alone will have unlocked plenty of additional ponies. The power finds its way to the rear wheels via a TH350 automatic transmission, while a Mustang II front end, power brakes, and power steering should combine to make this Apache safer and easier to drive than its original creators ever imagined. Electrical gremlins can creep in when classics get a few decades under their belts as the original copper and insulation break down with age. That is another issue that the builder eliminated by installing a Painless wiring harness. The owner says that the Apache runs and drives nicely, so a spot of relaxed cruising isn’t far away with this old Pickup.

If you were expecting a spotless interior when we opened the doors of this Apache, you won’t be disappointed by the supplied photos. The painted surfaces are perfect and mimic the exterior color scheme. The bench seat wears matching upholstery, while dark carpet offers a striking contrast. There is no evidence of any wear or physical damage on the seat, carpet, or wheel. The gauge cluster looks sharp, with a lens that is clear. The plated items are in excellent condition, and it appears that there may be a concealed stereo with door-mounted speakers. If things don’t already appear comfortable enough, the addition of an Ididit tilt column should add to the driving pleasure. Taken to a show or a Cars & Coffee, the buyer could hold their head high when people examined this interior.

There is a lot to like about this 1959 Chevrolet Apache Pickup, with its appearance and condition being the tip of the iceberg. The mechanical upgrades will provide a level of performance that allows it to keep up with the cut and thrust of commuter traffic. The improvements to its steering and brakes should make driving easy and relaxing while also offering giant leaps forward in safety. It is also worth remembering that even if you could find a halfway decent candidate for a project build, the finished product would cost you far more than this owner’s asking price if completed to the same standard. That has to make it worth a closer look.