In my farm town, if a truck doesn’t have an eight-foot bed, it’s not a truck. Driving a short bed will get you “izat yer grandma’s?” or “where’s the rest of yer truck?” at the local pub. But I’ve learned on Barn Finds that short beds have a big fan base, so for those of you who are fine with flagging your 8′ fence boards, we have here on eBay a 1959 Chevrolet Apache Fleetside 3100 short bed pickup. Bidding is at $8,278, the reserve is not met, and the truck is located in Califon, New Jersey. This half-ton Apache represents the last year of the successful Task Force series. The modern-looking Fleetside body was introduced in 1958 as an option to the Stepside. This particular truck has had only two owners, and it’s up for sale to make room in the current owner’s shop. We have Larry D. to thank for this tip!
The Apache 3100 came standard with a 235 cu. in. Thriftmaster in-line six-cylinder motor making about 120 bhp. The base transmission was a three-speed manual, but options included a four-speed, overdrive, a heavy-duty three-speed, and the Hydra-Matic automatic. The odometer reads just under 83,000 miles. Work performed includes new oil pan and valve cover gaskets; new brakes including a dual master cylinder, lines, and a power booster; new gas tank and fuel lines; and new tires. The clutch works fine and the truck is said to run, drive and ride well.
The seat is new, as are the visors and rear view mirror. All the lights including the dash lights work, as does the heater. The seller has seat belts to include with the sale. The original wood in the bed needs replacing but the cab mounts are said to be solid. The seller does call this truck a “project” and we find out why next….
Alas, rust has had its way with the driver’s sill. This view shows holes in the headlight surround, fenders, and door. We aren’t given undercarriage photos; fortunately, these frames are pretty stout. While this truck’s mechanical condition seems acceptable, I don’t relish the disassembly required to fix the rust. Still, a nice Apache will sell for $35,000 these days and considerably more if it’s a resto-mod, leaving at least a little headroom to fix this one up. What would you do with this truck if it dropped into your driveway?
If these trucks are such a gold mine, you’d think every example would be scooped up by now. In my little mountain town, there is a truck exactly like this in a yard, hasn’t moved since I moved here 5 years ago, you’d think maybe a grand to the unsuspecting owner, and turn it for, what’s it up to, $8500? I don’t know, you want to believe this hype, by all means, go ahead. I say all these ads are fabricated to create a market for old pickup trucks. Who here would actually pay more than a couple grand for this heap? Mmm-hmm, not many.
To be honest, not sure where the author hails from, sounds a bit rough. In the 4 years I had my short box pickup, I don’t recall anyone ripping on it. Fact is, I’m sure it’s why mine was an easy sell, BECAUSE of the short box. Look at any newer truck today, all 4 door, short boxes. Long boxes have fallen out of favor, as hauling paneling, and other 8 foot items, isn’t as popular, and a smaller box just works better for many.
I’m sorry, and a polite message to the alleged 21 bidders, I sure hope you know what you’re getting for your $8grand.
Rural Oregon, Howard. I haul about 1500 lbs of hay every three weeks, and in the summer I go to auto swap meets with the entire bed full of parts. I once hauled a Bugeye Sprite to the strippers in my farm truck. A short bed absolutely won’t cut it. …. I was getting keys made the other day at my favorite locksmith, who has every obscure key blank I ever need, and he just bought a perfectly good F150 Camper Special with low miles from the original owner for $1000. That’s more like what I pay for trucks. I don’t understand the prices either, I just write ’em up.
It’s called, “don’t shoot the piano player”. “Oregin”, as my son tells me how it’s pronounced. I recently made a trip from central Colorado to Portland last June for his wedding. It was a crummy trip,( by car) but once in central Oregin, it did get pretty nice. Portland didn’t do anything for me, coming from the Rocky Mountains, I thought of southern Wash. but my son says some rough crowds up that way. I have another trip scheduled for this spring, check out the coast, who knows? And for the record, I never met anyone that had a “favorite” locksmith,,, :)
Howard, if you tried to get keys copied for a 1967 BMW 1600 GT, you would develop a fondness for the locksmith who could actually do that, too.
Michelle
I’m from the deserts of Arizona and live in a metropolis of more than five million people. Short bed trucks abound. I’ve heard AZ has more trucks per capita than any other state. Short beds have their place, but in the work truck arena, long beds are coveted. From landscape contractors ( my profession) to builders they are the truck of choice. This being one of the fastest growing markets in the country, you can’t go more than a mile without seeing a long bed truck loaded up with construction supplies, including things like 8 ft sheets of T-111. Lotsa hay haulers, too. Heck, a string trimmer won’t even lay flat in the typical crew cab short bed half ton. That pretty much rules them out in my industry.
BTW. I really enjoy your write ups. You bring a fresh perspective to
Barn Finds
Thanks, I really appreciate the kudos! I make dopey errors sometimes – writing faster than my brain – but I love this job.
you clearly don’t follow the old truck market. Maybe in your little town old trucks aren’t bringing a lot of money but across the country and even internationally old American trucks are in fairly high demand. This truck is rusty but straight and a good metal guy can easily handle the repairs as every possible patch panel is readily available for cheap. You are correct that short boxes are more popular just look at the number of conversions being done. Side note, you should take a few minuets and go offer that neighbor the $1000 you mention I’ll bet he laughs (assuming he has internet).
Actually, I DO follow the market, and doesn’t matter the size of the town, people in Colorado have money, me excepted. This isn’t Bugtussle, NC, ( no offense), people, with money, come from all over, so we’re not some little hick town. I’ve seen several examples of these “must have” trucks, sit for months on a busy highway, eventually selling for a fraction of what they were asking originally. And no, of course the person doesn’t have the internet, or it would be gone. How do you think these vultures make a profit?
My ‘58 GMC is a short bed step side and I wouldn’t take anything less than $20 K for it. What a laugh to see posts longer than the article! Lol 😂
I love the comments make them as long as need be. I learn some things from these comments. I go back to vehicles listed weeks ago to see if there are additional comments. I love free speech!
Don’t listen to agitator “Dave”, he rarely has anything good to say. Many times, the authors description isn’t enough( like the shift pattern on a Citroen), and I like to go deeper and post my findings. I learn a lot too, even at 67. If I may, why not become a member? It doesn’t cost a lot, and you can keep in touch with notifications on posts by email, plus it helps keep the site going.
Don’t listen to cranky Howard, he thinks every truck should be free. The only thing you’ll learn from Howie is he’s living in the 80’s and he’s the smartest keyboard jockey on the net, just ask him. A real bidder thinks this truck is worth $8500, not some “member” in a comment section. THAT’S the market JACK.
I’d welcome this truck to my driveway
with open arms– but not 8K worth. I
would have to add electric power steering to it so my girls could drive it
though. Gotta have my tunes too so
a stock looking AM/FM radio would also be a must as all the AM stations
here in Florida have gone to either
Spanish or Haitian formats. I said it
before and I’ll say it again, it really
sucks to be legally blind and enjoy the
old car hobby. I can own ’em, but I
sure as hell can’t drive ’em!
I just think that there is to much money out there…things are out of whack
Makes me laugh they say they sell for $ 35,000.00 when done these SELLERS do not know they got $ 45,000.00 PLUS into them. So does not make sense and a truck from east coast where I live I guarantee it is a RUST bucket and worst then what is shown– $ 8,500.00 GOT MORE MONEY THEN BRAINS
Remember Fred, when it was t’other way ’round? We had more brains than money, oh, how did we ever make it,,BECAUSE WE HAD BRAINS,,,that’s why.
Wasn’t this truck on here a while back?
Well Ms. Rand you must be a country girl, and everybody knows a country girl can survive. But that is funny about your favorite lock smith. I’ve travelled many roads in my75 years on this earth, All through Washington, Oregon and California, across the country to South Florida and everything in between. I’ve found that pickup trucks have always been a little higher priced than cars. Once when living with a girlfriend in Provo, Utah I was gifted a 59 Chevy long bed pickup by said girlfriend. Both have been displaced many years ago. Those old trucks are okay but I prefer Fords over other models then and now. This truck has potential for a dreamer hoping to build some type of retro hot rod pickup, but it will take a lot of work and money so maybe someone will just want to put it back on the road as is.
God Bless America.
I bought a running, driving 1955 second generation Chevy 3600 step side pickup at an estate auction. It was represented as a 3/4 ton truck, but it was more heavy duty than that in my opinion. It still had the split rim wheels and a 9 foot bed. With a nine foot bed, the step side section was really very useable. The guys at the lumber yard were always amazed when 8 foot lumber and landscape ties loaded up with an extra foot left in the bed and the tailgate closed. It had the 235 six cylinder and granny gear four speed and it would haul anything.
R. Lee Ermey told me that his 58 Apache was one of the most favorite cars in his collection, think he said he had 8 vehicles. He was one of the most amazing, soft spoken and friendly persons I ever met. Sorry to say he passed shortly after. RIP Gunny. Sorry if a little off topic. Mindless banter makes BF the best!
Cheers
GPC
he doesn’t follow any market, just blathers away
Please tell me what vehicles are cheap today in the old car hobby. Inflation has reduced the value of our money which has increased the cost of real estate and cars/trucks. This vehicle is cheap. I just sold a Jeep Cherokee XJ for big money after I paid big money for it 15 months ago. The seller just did the heavy lifting on getting this truck operational. The old truck side of our hobby is accelerating as it’s an affordable entry point to the hobby. I bought a ‘61 Apache step side long bed nine years ago for $7500. It’s totally stock and original truck with 235, granny 4 speed and 3.90 posi. I can’t go anywhere without getting into a conversation about it with everybody. No age or gender barrier when it comes to old trucks. I have hauled sofas, furniture, hay for friends. If this ‘59 truck stays under $10k and if I had the room I would buy this truck, leave the patina and rust alone but keep it garaged and dry so no additional rust. I would put in a new wood bed and have fun with it. So cool!!!