1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Hi im Colin Smith and this is my 1961 Chevy Apache 10 long bed step side that I plan on making into a short bed fleetside. I bought the truck at a local storage auction for 400 dollars. Me and my dad are going to build it together and will be my first truck. When we finnish it I will be driving it to high school. Follow me on Instagram at colin_smith13

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Welcome. Nice patina.
Larry

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

After we got the truck home we put some gas in the tank, and a new battery in the old girl and made shore she had oil. We were able to get her started in less than 15 minutes after sitting outside for 15+ years. When she started up it purred like a kitten sounded like it was brand new.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Thanks Larry

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Awesome project! My dad tried to get me to buy a 65 short bed step side but I passed. I kick myself now for not getting it, so much that now iv bought a 64 stepside. What's the plans for the truck? Keep up posted

Ryan

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Plans are to shorten the frame, and get a shortbed fleetside to replace the long step. Im am also going to lower it a few inches, replace the 235 with a small block chevy, and will also have to fix a lot of rust holes. Other than that just make it a good safe and reliable daily driver.

Colin

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

So here are some pictures of were the body has taken a beating over the years from rust, being ran into. I can see day light from the inside above the windshield, Both of door bottoms are completely rusted through, and the passenger side door was hit at some point in time. I will also need new front fenders. lastly the hood will need some love due to someone, or something hitting the front diver side of the hood.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Welcome aboard! Little rust won't hurt. lol 235 is a darn good engine. :chevy:

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

I have already started buying patch panels to fix the rust but there will be some spots that we will have to make, but that's no big deal because my dad is an amazing fabricator. The 235 started right up after sitting for 15+ years after putting in a new battery, and some gas in the tank.

Colin

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

So a few weeks back I went to an old junk yard, and picked up a shortbed fleetside for my truck. The bed came off of a 66 Chevy that came from Texas so it was basically rust free. The guy at the junk yard cut the frame under neath the cab so we got the bed, tailgate, rear half of the frame, and the trailing arms.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

So if any of you were wondering how I came up with the name Cowboy Cadillac here you go. When I bought the truck it had an old faded sticker on the back window that Cowboy Cadillac. When I first saw it I thought that the name was catchy so I named it the Cowboy Cadillac.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Nice looking truck, im kinda partial to the 61's! I will be following to see how the build progresses!

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

I bought some more parts for the truck at a swap meet a wile back. I bought patch panels for the cab corners, and the rocker panels. I also bought some stainless steel cab sails, and another grill. Then I also included a picture of the tail gate that came with the bed.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Nice project.

I'm curious... are you going to try to use the rear frame section and mate it to the x-frame?

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Currently I am not shore how i am going cut the frame when shorting it. But I would love to keep the X-frame. If anyone has shortened the frame on a 60-63 I would love to see some pictures to give me an idea. thanks
Colin

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Colin,

Nice score for $400! I got a 61 too, swb. Look forward to seeing the progress. You keeping the original hood? Or going "flat"?

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

I'm keeping the original hood. This style hood has always been my favorite of the two hoods that the 60-66 came with.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

On Friday I got a new engine for the truck It is a small block Chevy 305.We did an engine swap in a 47 chevy pickup and the 305 was in it and he wanted to put a crate engine init ,and said that we could have the old engine because he did kneed it anymore. So it will be making its new home in the 61 Chevy

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

I recall hearing that the "x" pieces of the frame fit really well for boxing the outer rails, if you decide to do something like that. But don't take my word for it. Hopefully someone can offer some x-frame shortening ideas.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Thanks for the Idea I will keep that in mind once im ready to start cutting, and shorting the frame.

Colin

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

So now that I know what engine im going to be using in the truck witch is a small block Chevy does anyone have an suggestions on ether 4 or 5 speed manual transmissions that are good reliable and will fit with the stock bench seat. thanks

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

So I picked up a front end off of a 77 Chevy truck over the week end. I'm going to use it to replace the current front suspension and get rid of the torsion bars.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

I haven't posted in a wile due to being without a computer so ill update yall with the progress that I have made on the truck since iv been gone.

Over the summer at a swap meet i scored this steering wheel and a 1961 licence plate.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

I also have worked on getting the interior taken apart.

Then the last picture is a drawling i did of what i want the truck to look like when its finished.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Great score on steering wheel and plates....I like where you're going with your build....dig the tail pipes....

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Thanks

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

First time I have seen this build ,Im in to see the rest .

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Even though the truck is going to get repainted I decided to pinstripe the hood and the dash for a little practice

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

worked on the truck for a little wile the other night and got the radiator out and also the little heater that was under the dash.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Well its been about a year since i last posted anything on the truck but since then iv gotten a lot done to the truck. im going to try to keep the build thread updated more frequently. well first off i started sanding the whole truck down to bare metal and got the truck in primer. hopefully this summer ill find some fenders that are in better shape and also a set of doors that dont need new door skins and bottoms.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

next I gave the truck a coat of flat black. i also removed the long step bed and started shorting the frame to get ready for the short fleetside bed. then i gave the bumper and grill a fresh coat of white paint.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Next i got the inside of the truck painted. Then i loaded up my short fleet into my little s10 to bring it home and got it reassembled and put on the 61. once i got it on I started sanding the whole bed down to bare metal.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Making some good progress on a good looking truck. Make sure to take a lot of pictures when you shorten that X-Frame as i'm sure many people would love to see how it's done.
Keep up the good work

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Nice job Colin! By the way all the cool guys are named Colin:metal: Keep up the good work. I too would like to see your method of shortening the early x frame. Just remember measure twice or thrice …. cut once.;)

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Thanks and I'll defiantly take lots of pictures when I shorten the X- frame.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Thanks Ill defiantly be measuring more the 3 times when i shorten the frame so i can make shore the frame is square.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

I decided to do some pinstriping the other day. I only got one color down on the hood so far but im going to do more another day when its warmer outside. since its kind of hard to pinstripe when its freezing cold in your garage. near the bottom you can tell that I started to get shaky from shivering while trying to stripe the hood. also got some more sanding done on the bedsides as well earlier that day.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

Man i seem to be bad about getting on here and updating my build thread, but iv been making progress got the bed sanded all the way down to bare metal primed and painted. i also finsied the pinstriping on the hood and started on the tail gate.

Re: 1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac
 

since I last posted I Got the interior finished, redid almost all of the breaks got new wheel cylinders, a new master cylinder, new lines and hoses. and right now i have the head off the truck putting new valve seals in it and going to put a new head gasket on it as well. i also got the carb rebuilt. hoping to be able to drive the truck to the hot rod reunion in bowling green this year.