1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

1961 Chevy Truck. This is my favorite year of all Chevy trucks. This truck is ROUGH but I totally DIG it!! 6 Cylinder/3 speed trans. A autorepair/hotrodshop installed the dropped front spindles, added front disc brakes and got it running. They also pulled the front torsion Keys and the rear coil springs out to bag it. Customer lost interest/ran out of money. truck sat for 6 months. I Bought it Thursday Jan 5 2018.

My plan is to keep it simple and cheap.

Pic is how i found it. It was LUST at first sight.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

After getting it home I gave it a Good wash. Checked over all the fluids was able to get it to start! I even drove it up and down the street at about 5 mph (No suspension)

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

The seller needed the wheels and tires back. I scrounged around found some stock 3 nub not 4 nub 15x5's for the front and 15x6's for the rear. Bought some tires and used hubcaps.
I also located some missing hardware for the torsion keys so i could install working suspension back in the truck. Added some lowered rear springs at the same time. The Beater was starting to take shape!

Side note I learned stock wheels came is 15x 5, 5.5,and 6"

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Spray painted the wheels Bermuda green metallic 1954 Chevy car color. Had a local guy buff side walls to expose entire whitewall.
Hubcaps are 1961-1962 chevy car.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Next was make this truck reliable. replaced all the normal maintenance stuff. Fluids,Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, upgraded to a pertronix 1 and coil. Also replaced H2O pump, rad cap, t stat, hoses,added a H2O temp gauge, belt, fuel pump and hoses.
Brakes were new up front. I replaced rear brakes and hose.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Next I got to do some FUN stuff to get this truck ready to work.
Tailgate chains removed.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Bed floor repair. Filled in the big gaps with cheap fence pieces. Then added a 5/8" thick sheet of plywood over center of bed floor. sprayed Lynseed oil over wood to help protect it.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Interior upgrades included a hurst shifter, reduced hole around shifter with license plates, scrounged a complete seat that seem to fit the lock of the truck and I added seat belts from left over projects.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Installed new exterior mirrors, shocks and had the exhaust redone at a old time style exhaust shop.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

I cannot express how much FUN I have with this truck or how handy it is to throw crap in. Here is a bunch of random pics of The Beater working.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

More out and about and work pics.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Most recently I needed to move and 350 engine ,350trans, and engine hoist from garage to side yard pad for my 71 chevy truck project. The Beater saved the day!!

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

What did you do about the suspension?

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

I reinstalled the torsion Keys up front. This is my first torsion bar truck. Rides Great.
In the rear I installed 4" lower CPP rear springs.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Just found this thread. Such a cool truck.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Missed this truck first time around, very cool. Nothing better than being able to use a truck like a truck.:c2:

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Was at Goodguys in Scottsdale in November. Had a BLAST. Also cleaned the truck up a little. Wash,scrub, and wax before Goodguys.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

I love what you have managed to do with thismtruck, and to keep it a working truck is just perfect.

I was looking for one of these hoods for a long time to fit to my 66 C10 which has a thread on here, but in the end decided it was not going to happen in England.

In the mean time I bought this http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=774451 and it has made me happy and returned my mojo.


I hope to see more of your truck being used.

Thanks for sharing.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

I really like the wheel, tire and cap combination you came up with. Classic.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Awesome truck

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

I've seen this truck periodically on ig and now on here. I haven't really seen it at the club meets though. you should totally take it out this weekend

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

So-Cal Speed Shop Arizona has a Great little show every 2nd Sat of the month. Starts early 6AM. Pic from yesterday’s.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Christmas tree day!

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

I love the way you,also record your truck working (well, it really is play to us)


Every time I see an update, I have to look in.


Merry Christmas in the mean time.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Way to keep it alive and using it for what it's meant for. Love it.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Merry Christmas and Thanks for all the comments.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Right back at ya, and thank you for the entertainment.

You are getting me inspired to get my finger out and back to my C10 once the summer comes back and the Blazer is done.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Goofing off tonight at a local hangout with 2 friends.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Cool story, Cool truck ,Cool build. Have fun .

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Taking pics today of a friends 41 Ford today and 2 guys pull up in a SUV and say love your truck what year is it? I say it’s a 41 Ford...and they say “No! We are talking about the B I t c h en Chevy!” I smiled and said it’s a 1961 they gave me thumbs up and drove away. Funny story to share.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Yes absolutely the Chevy.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

I used to love driving my 66 and seeing people take photos.

Or being spoken to when parked up.

They are good trucks, yours is lovely..

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

More FUN in the 61. Out and about running parts and grabbing lunch.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Quick update. The side windows have never worked since I bought this truck. Finally pulled the inop noisy/rattly parts out of the doors. BIG DIFFERENCE truck is way quieter!! Took the 61 out for a drive with the wife the weather was KILLER!

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Love your truck! I have a soft spot for the 61 Apache...my dad had one in white. Just found a picture of it in 1968 the other day...

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Out at the NHRA Arizona Nationals today. Drove my BEATER. Had to stop and take this pic.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Hardwaa like the wheels that were on it when you bought the truck. Im looking to put those on my 64 step. Question? did the front wheels hit or rub any thing when turning. I would be grateful for any information. Mckee

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Are those heater boxes in the bed of the truck?

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

I only drove the truck down the street and back. I don't remember any clearance issues.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache My Beater
 

Yes. original Porsche 356. Good eye.