We ran across this truck at a local car show in Arizona and you have to love a truck that has stayed with the original owner for over 250,000 miles! This 1961 Chevy Apache 10 was purchased in late 1961 and has stayed with the original owner ever since. The owner bought the truck new from a local Chevrolet dealer, who has since gone the way of many other old dealerships - it's gone!
The owner was only seventeen when he bought the truck for $2,160. Collectors will often discuss the "provenance" (or documentation) of a car. Well this owner even kept the original "drive out" sticker-registration form. After helping teach his three sons how to drive with this truck, it was restored in 2005 and still looks great-sporting Tampico Turquoise over Cameo White colors on this fleet side truck.
The sleek lines of this truck make it look at home either on the farm or in the city and marked Chevy's marketing the truck line to "city slickers." One of the options selected was the big rear window. This Chevy truck was made nearby in Los Angeles, CA.
The trim is neat for the truck, sporting a side spear that curves back with a splash of red to form the letter "C." This truck model is the short bed—115". Chevrolet also made the long bed at 127" in both the half ton and 3/4 ton models.
For 1961 there were few changes from the previous model year. The front grill was updated and now spelled out Chevrolet in the center piece and this was only for 1961. The "nostrils" or front edges of the hood had horizontal divider trim. This was also the last year for the dual headlights. In 1962 Chevrolet went to singles but in a space actually large enough for duals. The engine choices from the factory were either the 6- cylinder 235 "Thriftmaster" or a 283 CI V8, labeled the "Trademaster."
Now, Arizona is known for their rust-free vehicles, but it is still neat to see a fifty-plus year old truck hitting the pavement and coming out for shows.