Restoring a 60 Apache 20

Discussion in '1960-1966' started by chevyapache20, Jul 20, 2003.

  1. chevyapache20

    chevyapache20 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2003
    Messages:
    7
    Location:
    indianapolis usa
    Hello to all my fellow "Best bodystyle Chevy ever made" truck owners. I've followed your forum for several weeks now and you all seem like a very informative group. I bought my 60 Apache 20 in 1989 for $2,200(my wife thought I was crazy)and drove it eleven years before starting this very expensive restoration project. Prior to this truck I had a 65,63,66,and a 61. These were all buy cheap and sell for profit vehicles. When I found my 60, and being I was born in 60, this old truck became my baby. In 1991 I replaced the original six (I still have it) with a SB350. After two more 350's, I found SB400 and used this engine from 1995 until removing it 2000.(too much speed for such a small master cylender) Now I have a carberated 91 SB350 and 700R tranny (both rebuilt) to install when I'm done with the frame. After some research I've found this truck came from LA,Calif. In 14 years I've never seen or heard of another 1960 "20" Must be rare. The hood, cab, and bed are at a friends shop who's a master at restorations. Fenders, inner fenders,and radiator core support will be new. My goal is to have it finished by late Sept. when the " Four wheel off road jamboree truck show" comes to town. (Indianapolis) I won't enter this year(Iwant it to be perfect) I'll just cruise the hotels and turn some heads. I'll be asking quite a few questions in the next couple mounths and I'm sure I'll answer some. Thanks for letting me come on board. Pappy
     
  2. Butch60stp

    Butch60stp Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2002
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Birmingham United States Of America
    Welcome to Chevy Duty ChevyApache20, is your truck four wheel drive? do the fender emblems say Apache 20? I was thinking if they did those emblems might prove to be next to impossable to replace. That has got to be an awesome truck.
    Butch
     
  3. chevyapache20

    chevyapache20 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2003
    Messages:
    7
    Location:
    indianapolis usa
    No 4-wheel drive on this baby. As for the emblems, they do say Apache 20 and I,ve never seen any like them. They're just like 1960 Apache 10 emblems except they say 20. My know-it-all ninteen year old son was telling me it was made from a 61 3/4 ton because I challenged him to find another 60 online. After two months, he gave up. Thats when we ran the v.i.n and found out it's a true 60 3/4 ton out of L.A. Although the paint code says black, it's really a dark green under the fenders, leading me to believe it might have been a forest service truck (hence the 3/4 ton option) If you look real hard, you can see black under the green as if it was repainted before it was sold. When I had all my chrome done, I worried for six weeks until I had them back.($60.00 apiece) When I got the truck, it was fire engine red and every stoplight people would stare and yell "nice truck" , so I'm anxous to get it back on the road. I'll probly go red again. Some questions if anybody can answer them. Why are 60 3/4 tons so rare? Has anybody seen one? What will this truck be worth when I'm done? Is front windshield glass available? I also have a 60 GMC hood, tailgate, and grill if anyones interested. Thanks, Pappy.
     
  4. trustyrusty65

    trustyrusty65 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2002
    Messages:
    113
    Location:
    Carson City U.S.A.
    Salutations Pappy! It sounds like you've got quite a truck on your hands. Good luck with everything. As an answer to your question about the windshield glass, you can get it right here at Chevy Duty. It is as inexpensive here as it is anywhere, but it's still about $450 before shipping. You will probably need somebody to put the glass in for you as insurance to your purchase. I've never attempted it myself, but have heard plenty of horror stories about breaking the brand new windshield while trying to install it. A local glass shop may be able to get you a new windshield with rubber and install it for less than $600, but like anything else, it will pay to look around.
    I'm also interested in your GMC parts. You say the hood is a '60--does it have the "fake jet-intake pods" in the front with the turn signals off-center? What kind of shape is the grille in? IS the chrome in decent shape? Thanks again and Best of luck!
    --TrustyRusty
     
  5. trustyrusty65

    trustyrusty65 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2002
    Messages:
    113
    Location:
    Carson City U.S.A.
    Hey Apache, there is a pair of '61 "Apache 20" emblems on eBAy right now. They are in two separate auctions and nobody's bid on them yet. $10 apiece--search for -1961 chevrolet truck-. I saw your wanted ad and just wanted to let you know.
    --TR
     
  6. chevyapache20

    chevyapache20 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2003
    Messages:
    7
    Location:
    indianapolis usa
    Double checked the 60 GMC hood and its just how you discribed it. Ive never heard them discribed as "fake jet-intake pods", but it sounds good to me. The hoods in real good shape with no dents and just a small amount of bubble surface rust, no holes. Grill is black with red GMC. The headlight bezels are gone but there here somewhere. The tailgate has a small dent above the M in GMC and some light surface rust. Miminal scraching on the inside. I'll work up a fair price, but you'll have to pay for shipping. I can crate it up. Or you can pick it up on the eastside of Indianapolis. As for the Apache 20 emblems, 60 and 61 are different, but I appreciate your help. Pappy
     
  7. 61apache30

    61apache30 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8
    I am currently restoring an apache 30.
    It's the only one i've ever heard of or
    seen. It has a longer wheel base then the
    20 or 10 and i'd like to shorten it. has
    anyone ever done this? it has leaf springs
    in the rear.

    mat,
     
  8. Geno

    Geno Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2003
    Messages:
    7
    HEY pappy I used to live in texas. I meet a fellow there that was 60 model crazy. I seen a truck for sell at the gate of his driveway. When i went down the driveway,it opened up to chevy haven. HE showed me 3 1960 apache 20.s I thought it was something that he had peaced together cause I,d never heard of it at the time. I now live in N.C. I called my old army buddy there and he is going to check to see what the statis is on this guy. 2 were 4x4. But they all were painted a government green color. I will let u know something as soon as i get a reply.
     

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