California-Built 1958 Chevy Apache Retains Vintage, California-Built 1958 Chevy Apache Retains Vintage, Restoration AppealRestoration Appeal

•A certified green builder, Frank Benaderet enjoys spending time with his wife of 29 years and his son, a former football player at Dartmouth College. Frank Benaderet and his son recently finished restoring a 1958 Chevy Apache pickup truck.

•The 1958 Chevy Apache, a light-duty truck with a weight of up to 9,000 pounds, differed significantly from previous Chevrolet trucks. The new standard engine, the Thriftmaster 6, boasted 145 horsepower; the more powerful Trademaster V8 generated 160 horsepower. Four-wheel drive and factory air conditioning options improved off-road handling and comfort for the driver and passengers.

•Styling changes introduced with the Chevy Apache included a wider, slab-sided cargo bed, quad lights, and a new body shape. The grille and radiator contours received significant updates, as did the fenders.

•Unlike most American cars of its day, the Chevy Apache came off the assembly line in California at a GM factory in Van Nuys. They were available in nine different color combinations, with chrome emblems and stamped VIN numbers.