1958 Chevrolet Apache – Garage-Built Goodness
Jacob Lusk’s 1958 Chevrolet Apache is pure garage-built goodness. The old adage “don’t mix business with pleasure” doesn’t apply when it comes to this man and this truck. We think they fit hand in hand. You be the judge.
Over the course of four years, Lusk’s Apache didn’t leave his garage. Not even for paint. Countless long nights were spent in his garage after clocking out from his day job at Art Morrison Enterprises where he serves as a shop foreman (possibly building your chassis). When he clocked out at Morrison’s, the clock would start all over again on the truck during nights, weekends and holidays. The demanding work and sacrifices were well worth it. That’s also four years’ worth of telling his friends he couldn’t join them at the bar, go to the concert, the trip, event or whatever exciting plans they had cooked up. There were no excuses not work on his truck and it paid dividends in the few short months it’s been completed.
On the Goodguys event scene alone, Lusk’s Apache has attended five events since late July and found the winners circle each time. On four of those occasions earning Builders Choice awards from JF Kustoms, Dominator Street Rods, Pinkee’s Rod Shop and Kenny Davis while also earning awards from LMC Truck and Classic Instruments. On top of it all, it was a finalist for the Goodguys 2017 LMC Truck of the Year (Late category 1953-1972). All of that happened during the course of three months from Washington, to California, over to Colorado and down to Texas.
This truck is special. Aside from the obvious over-the-top fit and finish – it was all fabricated, upholstered and painted in his garage. We don’t recall a home built classic as clean as this. When you start opening its doors, hood and get down on your hands and knees you’ll get a clear view of just how spectacular it is.
Jacob’s 1958 Chevrolet Apache 3100 Fleetside is a true 50-year GM anniversary edition truck with the door tags to prove it. The body rides on a custom Art Morrison chassis that Lusk built himself. The spot-on two tone finish is a combination of PPG Anniversary Gold and Honey Beige. Yummy! Lusk tucked the front and rear bumpers while also profiling them and shaving the bolt heads. The front bumper is flipped, front fenders stretched 2-inches down, went 2-inches wider on the rear tubs and raised the bed floor up 3-inches before covering it with black walnut wood.
The custom chassis is fitted with a ZF BMW power steering rack, Sport GT IFS, a 4-bar rear with a Strange Engineering 9-inch housing with Strange Ultra Series shocks on all four corners. Wilwood disc brakes are tucked behind the 15-inch Wheel Vintiques steelies fitted with rare 1958 Deluxe trim rings and 1958 caps. The rolling stock is wrapped with Diamondback whitewalls.
The engine is like a shrine. Jacob says it’s the truck’s signature feature. What started as a 440c.i. 348 Jack Gibbs long block was finished with an eight-stack induction on top of a hand-built manifold. Custom machined valve covers rest over Edelbrock heads with a Holley/MSD ignition igniting the fire in the chamber. Jacob tapped into his fab skills to build the headers as well as the mufflers and exhaust running out the back.
The fab work didn’t end when it came time to finish the interior. Jacob built the seat frame as well as the Vintage Air vents in the dash. The seat frame was covered with foam and wrapped with Synthetic leather by Jamie McFarland. Classic Instruments designed custom gauges behind the classic steering wheel. The shifter arm was custom made by Jacob.
The all-important beltline stripe was applied by Michael Munoz who also assisted Jacob with the door panels, visor, and headliner.
Jacob’s truck couldn’t have turned out better. His taste, style, and execution of the build show how talented he is. This Apache appeals to a wide range of rodders from wide-eyed teens to graybeards. It’s perfect in our eyes.
Young men like Jacob Lusk offer confirmation that millennials will keep classic cars and trucks going in the right direction for decades to come. The proof is in these pictures.
