59 Apache 3200 Fleetside

[Texasdeere]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

That is cool, you might dump a message on the Rosamond Craigslist and see if anyone associated with the old company might have a photo of the truck back then. Its amazing what you can dig up on the internet.

Thats a good idea! Thanks OrrieG.

[OrrieG]

Might also try the Rosamond historical society, if they have one, or the county it's located in. I was visiting Casper Wy on business and with not too much research was able to find information on my grandmothers brothers drowning death in 1918 and a photo of my great grandfather in his blacksmith shop in the 1890's. On the next trip I stayed an extra day and found tons of photos, birth and death certificates, news articles, book references at the local county and college history departments. All I knew before that was that my Dad was born there and the family settled there in the late 1800's and left around 1927.

[renegade6]

It's located in Los Angeles county. Not a whole lot there.

[nuke1]

nice looking truck you have, now all you need is some old school door lettering and you have it made!

[justcuz]

Yes Los Angeles County. It is between Palmdale and Mojave off Highway 14. Willow Springs race track is close by. There is still a used car dealer called Rosamond Car Sales on 2609 Sierra Highway in Rosamond. Phone is 661-256-7373.

[Texasdeere]

Update:

I put all new rubber bumpers and weather strip on the doors. Tightened the steering box up. It needed very little adjustment and doesn't drift across crowned roads as much. New wiper blade assemblies, and a throttle cable too. I freed up the kick panel vent cables and got them lubed up and working, summer is coming.

I replaced the speedo head which was broken. Replaced the lense and polished the chrome trim. I cleaned all the dust off everything when I had it apart. It came out real nice but no "before picture"

The speedo was $99 and the lense was around $25 I think.

My front parking lights stopped working and I will probably put some plywood in the bed soon as a quick easy fix. I am a little nervous walking back there as it is now.

I have a SM326 full syncro 3 speed with overdrive on the way. That will be a bigger project for sure. I am getting used to the column shift now along with everything else and I am really starting to enjoy driving the 59 around.

[1956cameo]

Sounds like you are enjoying the truck. Keep us posted on your progress.

[justcuz]

Wait till you get the all synchro trans with overdrive! That will make a nice addition to the truck.

[Boomerswany]

Wholly Cow - My new favorite! PLEASE keep the patina, drive and enjoy!!!

[Ben IV]

Love the look of that truck, id leave the body alone but put some drop leafs and drop axle up front and drop the back to match

[Texasdeere]

Thanks for the nice comments guys.

Haven't really done anything with the truck of late. I did move it to a storage place up north near my friend's house to get it away from the humidity and salt air. I do go up and drive it at least once a month.

I am still waiting for that transmission to be shipped to me from Nevada. I mailed them the money 5 months ago and I still don't have a tranny. I am seriously thinking I will never see the transmission or my money again. I guess I should have kissed the check before I mailed it!

[Bigblue29]

Sweet truck. Love that old stovebolt and great patina!

[LOW DOUGH]

I love it! Looks really good.

[1956cameo]

Texasdeere, Sorry to hear about the transmission. What type were you buying from him?

[watahyahknow]

thats a realy nice truck . sorry to hear about the gearbox maibe you can get to him using someone on this forum that lives near and can knock on his door .
realy like the fleetside bed it just looks like a spaceship

[Texasdeere]

Originally Posted by 1956cameo

Texasdeere, Sorry to hear about the transmission. What type were you buying from him?

It is a Saginaw SM326 3 speed full syncro with the Borg Warner overdrive. I am at a loss for what to do next. The tranny is in Nevada, and it wasn't cheap either. They are hard to find. I am thinking maybe have a shipping company go and pick it up and then ship it to me. That wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't already spent $120 on shipping.

[1956cameo]

Shame that there are such sorry people out there in our hobby. If you wan't I can give you the number of a guy down in Bay City, TX that has alot of 55-59 truck parts. He currently has 3 hydramatics; one of which I am thinking of buying. He may have the overdrive trans you are needing.

From what I have found out there used to be a guy in Alvin, TX that had 200-300 55-59 trucks; including over a dozen Cameo's. Unfortunately the city had a problem with it and crushed most of it. Fortunately my Cameo came from that former collection and was saved along with a few other trucks. The guy saved as many rare and valuable parts as he could before the city started crushing. This guy in Bay City bought the majority of what was saved. A guy in Rosharon, TX (who I got my cameo from) bought the rest. Both of these guys told me the exact same story and live over an hour away from each other so I tend to believe the story was true. Too bad the collection still isn't in tact because if it was we would have almost any part imaginable at our fingertips.

[Texasdeere]

I have given up on that transmission from Nevada! All efforts to contact them are ignored. Almost makes me as sick as watching the Texans lose today. I am not sure what I will do next. The 3 speed in the truck now works fine but I still want to change it for something better. I currently can't find another SM326 w/OD for sale. (big suprise)

[63deluxfleet]

niice! ever since i saw this picture of another board members truck, i would love to have one slammed!

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Texasdeere

I have given up on that transmission from Nevada! All efforts to contact them are ignored. Almost makes me as sick as watching the Texans lose today. I am not sure what I will do next. The 3 speed in the truck now works fine but I still want to change it for something better. I currently can't find another SM326 w/OD for sale. (big suprise)

Search Boise Idaho area craigslist, there was a three speed with od for sale a couple of weeks ago. http://boise.craigslist.org/pts/1473143847.html If it turns out to be a local pickup only deal, I could get it and we could figure out how to get it shipped to you.

[justcuz]

Too bad about the transmission! Moses Ludel just did a series of articles on the rebuilding of the transmission and OD in Vintage Truck Magazine. He may have one he is willing to sell, or know of one. He was in Yerington but recently sold his place and moved out to Smith Valley if I recall. He should be easy to find, he writes articles for a couple magazines.

[Texasdeere]

Thanks OrrieG,

That one would work fine but it won't have the syncro first gear. The 66-69 models have the syncro first and are pretty hard to come by. I am still considering a stealthy automatic install. I want to keep this thing as close to stock as possible while making it easier to drive and lower the rpm's too. I greatly appreciate your offer to help ship one to me.

[justcuz]

If you consider an automatic a non electric 700R4 would be a great choice. I did an automatic in my 61 Apache I had years ago and used the original 3 spd column linkage to operate the automatic.

My question is does the bell housing bolt pattern mate up to your engine. I thought the 6 cylinders were different than V8's until 1962.

[Texasdeere]

Yes I will need an adapter plate and a crossmember for the rear. I am just wondering how to hook up a TV cable to a one barrel carb. I was planing on using the stock column linkage to shift as you and OrrieG did. There are two companies that make the transmission adapter plates.

[ortegamotor]

here are a few pictures of the 1959 that i found parked in a garage for over 35 years. this this truck was one of the nicest original trucks i have owned i hope you enjoy the pictures. by the way it was an original v8 truck but the original owner took it back to the dealership in the early 60's and had them install the 327 HO motor. i still have the paper work to prove it. so if i told you how much i paid for it you wouldn't believe me.