My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Before I introduce the truck, here is the back story.
My wife got the itch for an old truck. Reasoning was that a well done older truck could be had and made reliable as an all season daily driver that you could dispose of in three years when it rusts out, and be way ahead of one year depreciation on something new and cool. (New is easy, new and cool is not).

I started buying truck mags and found an issue that had a red and white cameo. I'd never seen a cameo before but was struck by its lines. The next week I browsed the auto trader and BAM! I found this fleet side Apache (…at a price that would even fit it into the dispose after 3 years rust category).

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I'd never seen a fleet side Apache either. I didn't know that they existed, although I was familiar with the step side.

I grew up in Canada. Old trucks don't last very long on our salty roads.
A friend moved here from Texas in the late 70s, and had brought back a 55. I hand't seen one of those either at that point.

He and I used to drive to school in that. When I got a sports car, he always wanted to drive it so I used the 55 most of one summer.

…but the fleet side look was something very different to me, and those big four headlights! How could I have missed their existence for over 50 years? To my eyes this is every bit as nice (or better) than the holy grail 57 chevy Belair.

…and to find one a week after I discovered the Cameo article, and in chilly Canada where old trucks disintegrate no less. I bought it for not much money, long distance, site unseen (other than the pictures you see here), and picked it up a week later on a flatbed.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

said flatbed….

(This will make a fantastic surprise 50th birthday present for my wife I begin thinking…)

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

That is one beautiful truck. Congrats. on your purchase.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Very nice truck.
Kim

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Thanks ole lefty!

Kim, I just found your build thread. Wow!

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Nice looking old truck......

Trucks in western Canada don't wrought quite as quickly.......

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Awesome!! Just needs a set of chrome steelies and a 5" drop, and you're all set ;)

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Very nice

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Yes. Very nice. Any details about the drivetrain?

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Nice find, as time goes by you will appreciate even more the subtle differences the way the grille is integrated and the fender line runs back from the headlights, over the wheel opening and down to the lower body bump. And of course the great bed. Short fleetsides are almost, or more rare than Cameos because most fleets were used for working trucks and order in the long wheelbase. So post some pics of the engine compartment and interior.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

great looking fleetside. We're just getting started on my wife 58 GMC short fleetside rodstoration.

Is it the stock frame and suspension under the truck? Looking at the giant wheels and the offset, it almost looks like the truck is on a newer model chassis

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

This next post is a bit of a shocker.

To some, they will be appalled, while others will be thrilled!

Here goes:
Wayne

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Good looking truck. I like the 6 banger in it. I have done many v8 trucks but am thinking it might be time for a 6.....have fun with it.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

The six is pretty cool.
Kim

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Nothing wrong with the six, I drove mine for 8 years and about 70K miles on the 235. It had about 180 K on the odo, it was the second engine, a 58 car 235. Speedo quit working after turning over 200K and I drove it until the engine lost oil pressure 6 years later.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I also have this just in case. Not sure if I will use it but could use some guidance on my decision:

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

BUT…before I do anything to hasty I should show you these.

People asked me about the interior. It is as thrilling as the engine compartment

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

And I was asked about the frame.

Stock

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

And here is the box

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

As for the wheels, they are 22s.

A little too Gangsta for me, but I like them in a strange way set against that art deco body.

The truck has been lowered by simply removing all the front springs but one.
Other than that, the truck is bone stock. More bone stock than many that look restored.

It amazes me how a stock 50+ year old vehicle looks so modern hot-rod with just a coat of OK paint and a set of wheels. That speaks volumes for the styling of these trucks back in the day.

Here is where i get "artsy" and put on my fake New England accent:

What I particularly like about this body style is the juxtaposition of old working class vintage cab set against the postmodern fleet side box, as in fleet of foot, not fleet of trucks;)

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

SWEET looking truck man.

This is what goes through my mind when I look at my 58 or almost any 4 eyed truck.

"There ain't nothing in the world
Like a 4 eyed girl to make me act so funny make me spend my money
Make me feel real loose like a long necked goose
Like a girl,
oh baby that's what I like"
Yes its from chantilly lace. My wife thinks I am nuts sometimes because whenever I see a 4 eyed truck I will humm that song, and she just looks at me and shakes her head.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Just my opinion, tear into the corvette (apart) sell the extra parts, then purchase the FlatOut engineering kit and there you will have a V8 and GREAT handling suspension to boot.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

great minds think alike :D

it is a nice truck, now it's time to make it yours by tweaking what you have.
these truck came with factory v8s so if you like the manual trans, a v8 is bolt in.
nothing wrong with the old straight 6 either...
thanks for posting the pics and welcome to this forum :D

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Drive it till it rusts out?

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I love that truck. Put dual exhaust on that six with some good sounding mufflers and drive it.
If it were mine I'd ditch those wheels though. I'd rather see less wheel and more sidewall. Those wheels don't fit the "vibe" of the rest of the truck to me.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I'm thinking someone must have replaced the stock leafs with a set of mono leafs. I don't think the truck would be drive able had someone used only 1 of the remaining factory leafs

The interior is a great starting point. A little upholstery and a carpet kit would make a HUGE difference in an awful hurry.

It looks like you've got yourself a great starting point for sure.:metal:

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Ya, …that plan changed as soon as I saw the truck.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1386123497

This thing was an arizona truck up until just a couple of years ago. Apparently it was rescued from the desert at some point and was still drivable, and all original sheet metal under that paint. I only have the one pic of the underside but I shot a video and it is amazingly fresh. I'd say the truck was two years old if I didn't know any better.

As for the leaf, yes one stock leaf…and not really drivable in my opinion, although it can be driven. The steering is also ridiculously heavy with those wheels… but I have that vette for parts, and that car has a rebuilt motor and tranny. Plus, I am aware of the suspension kit for putting the vette suspension under the truck.

When I realized that other than the leaf, the truck is totally unmolested, this project began to confuse me so I have done nothing other than to add a cover to protect the box while I finalize my plans.

This leads me to the interactive part of this post. Let the ideas fly!
Any and all suggestions welcome.
The shifting is a bit vague, but the three on the tree is cool, but I'm not married to it.
The six doesn't burn oil and although I forget the mileage, it is not extremely high.


Here is the cover and the "how I built it" thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=606489
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1386000346

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

I have to agree with Russel and some of the others, the garrish "Gangsta" wheels just don't work on that truck. I looked to see if someone like Coy made a clean looking spoke wheel in a 16 or 17 inch size six with a six lug pattern last night but couldn't find any good looking modern looking rims with that bolt pattern that would run a tire with some sidewall on it.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Here is one idea I had. If I keep going in the hot rod direction these are pretty similar to the look of the ones on my race car that I might tow….but then there is also the corvette wheels that I already have on the parts car.

Not sure if they suit, or even if that is the direction to go.
Some have suggested putting it back to stock with vintage looking two tone paint scheme and abandoning the whole hot rod look.

I'm keeping this thread interactive so let the opinions fly!

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Those would look a lot better. They wouldn't dominate the truck like the ones that are on it do either.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Personally, if it was me, I'd be putting a set of Posie super slider 3" lowering leaf springs all the way around, putting on a nice set of 15" painted steel wheels with wide white walls and spider caps, and rodding out the inline 6. You'll have a sweet looking, bullet proof daily driver classic pickup.
You could sell off those 22" wheels to pay for your suspension parts and sell off the Corvette to fund the rest of the build.

Just my opinion though

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

If it were me I'd be putting everything from the vette on it and use the Cragar S/S wheels.
Kim

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Yeah! What Kim57 said!
I almost pulled the trigger on those same wheels but the smallest diameter is 18". I like more sidewall and smaller diameter wheel.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

i also agree with kim on usin the vette stuff
you have a v v nice truck - those wheels ( to me) dont make it ,
just imo a set of cragers or a set of American Racing cp -200;s would look a bit better
not knockin the wheels - it just dont look ,,,,,,,,,,,,right
vintage type of wheel would fit the bill .

just my 02 centavos worth

but a very nice truck sir.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Good responses so far in each direction.

I think the wheels on it are interesting for a couple of reasons, but likely not reason enough to keep them.

Imagine it is 1958 (or 59)
You are a loyal GMC customer but still have not fully gotten used to the new series II. In your mind, it is too much of a departure from the series I but it is growing on you

…THEN, SUDDENLY you see this 4 headlight smooth boxed space ship from the future! Your head spins. The cab is somewhat ok, but that box! It is sensory overload and your image of what a truck should be has just been assaulted by the new Apache for that year. Real trucks have fenders.

Now fast forward to today. Lots of stepsides are being restored and shown. A few fleetsides, but they all meet your expectation of what a classic truck should be.

…THEN SUDDENLY you stumble across this truck.
Holy *%$ what is that? lets go see!

Its not just the truck or the paint or the wheels, it is the whole thing..
BUT, as you take it all in soon it is sensory overload and your image of what a truck should be has just been assaulted by these damned wheels…;)


But the truck is interesting.
I think I need to do something about these wheels…or else play it up to the extreme

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1386073924


A COUPLE OF SAMPLE OPTIONS

http://i.imgur.com/spejqpr.jpg

http://www.carpictures.com/pics/full...51308764A.jpeg

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Carry on with the opinions and suggestions.

Thanks
Wayne

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Go to inliners.org, it will show you the possibilities for that ol' six.

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Regarding the wheels, they have to go regardless.

If I keep the 6 I'll keep the stock steering and I don't have enough muscles to steer them so will need smaller wheels anyway.

If I go with the corvette suspension the bolt pattern is different so I can't use those gangster wheels then either.

Here is another pic from a different angle

Re: My 2nd real post - introducing my 59 blue fleet side
 

Wow, it just became real obvious to me where they got the styling for the fleet side box.

This was a 1957 caddy