1961 Chevy Apache aka Cowboy Cadillac

[ColinsChopShop]

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

[Larry64]

Welcome. Nice patina.
Larry

[ColinsChopShop]

Originally Posted by Larry64

Welcome. Nice patina.
Larry

Thanks Larry

[ColinsChopShop]

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.

[Ryguy442]

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

[ColinsChopShop]

Originally Posted by Ryguy442

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

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

[ColinsChopShop]

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.

[TJ's Chevy]

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

[ColinsChopShop]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

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

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

[77lesabre]

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

[ColinsChopShop]

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.

[Johnny_Lamebridge]

Nice project.

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

[ColinsChopShop]

Originally Posted by Johnny_Lamebridge

Nice project.

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

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

[Johnny_Lamebridge]

Originally Posted by ColinsChopShop

Currently I am not shore how i am going cut the frame when shorting it. But I would love to keep the X-frame.

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.

[el_bole]

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"?

[ColinsChopShop]

Originally Posted by el_bole

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"?

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

[ColinsChopShop]

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

[flashed]

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

[ColinsChopShop]

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

[ColinsChopShop]

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.

[ColinsChopShop]

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.

[ColinsChopShop]

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.

[ColinsChopShop]

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.

[ColinsChopShop]

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.