1959 Chevy Apache – Greening Auto Company’s Shop Truck
Jeff Greening’s 1959 Chevy Apache is a popular shop truck not only in Alabama (Home state to Greening Auto Company), but country wide as it’s been driven across its fair share of state lines.
From local auto parts stores to some of the biggest rod & custom events and road tours across the United States, Greening’s Apache always garners attention. And when the sun goes down it’s frequently seen tailgate dropped, cold beers flowing and a group of people hanging around kickin’ tires with the Greening crew.
Jeff has owned this Apache over 40 years and has used it as his as his work truck the majority of those four decades. In 2014 Jeff and his trendsetting son Jesse remade it into what you see today. What was once a Nova sub frame-equipped, c-notched, straight six powered pickup is now a ground hugging, superior handling driver. Underneath all those patina panels is a Roadster Shop chassis, 5.3 liter aluminum GM powerplant and an array of Greening Auto Company CNC’d parts. They left the 20 year old RM Lacquer Red paint alone aside from a few touchups with Glasurit GM Red code 75.
The Roadster Shop chassis is equipped with a Tiger quick change rear end, JRi coil overs all around, rack & pinion steering and 14-inch Baer brakes tucked behind the 19 & 20-inch custom machined Greening Auto Company wheels wrapped with Pirelli tires. Handling is spot on.
The only modification to the exterior sheet metal is the 3-inch raised bed floor, but the redwood remains from when Jeff first redid the 1959 Chevy Apache 3100 series 1/2-ton truck some 40 years ago. Dynamat was used throughout the entire cab as well as DynaDeck on the floor. Greening Auto Company also machined new custom taillight lenses.
The engine is as stout and reliable as can be adorned with a plethora of GAC machined parts including the intake manifold and valve covers. Jeff runs Borla 8 stack injection while Holly goodies light the ignition. The Comp Cams bumpstick rumbles through Street & Performance headers and Borla exhaust. Power is delivered to the rear end via a Bowler 4L60E transmission.
Being a local as well as long distance driver, the interior garnered serious attention. Jeff had M & M Hot Rod Interiors cover the stock seat frame with new custom foam before wrapping it with black Relicate leather. The door panels were also redone in black leather to match. The stock dash features Vintage Air AC, a new Classic Instruments gauge cluster and a JVC double din audio system blasting through Kicker speakers, amp and subwoofer – perfect for parking lot soundtracks. A 1982 Corvette steering wheel and Lokar shifter finish off the cabin.
With a Yeti cooler permanently mounted in the bed, and never empty (ask us how we know), Jeff and the entire Greening crew are always a great addition to the party. But when the clock is ticking Monday through Friday, this awesome 1959 Chevy Apache is logging miles rain or shine back in Sweet Home Alabama.
Photos by Steven Bunker
