In 1955 Chevrolet replaced it’s Advanced Design pickups with the Task Force range which along with squared front styling offered options that included 12 volt electrics, V8 motors and 6′, 7′ or 8′ bed lengths.

The Task Force or early era V8 Chevy pickups were built with three different cab styles from ’55 to ’59. In ’55 the first series Task Force pickups featured a cab with distinctively separate wings/fenders and bonnet/hood similar to the Advanced Design series which the Task Force replaced. Mid way through ’55 a new Task Force hood was introduced with integrated wings/fenders and bonnet/hood with a pair of head lights and in 1958 the Task Force Series cabs received a face lift distinguished by two pairs of head lights as seen here.

Power options for 1958 Apaches were either 145 hp 3.8 litre 235 cui Thriftmaster in line six or 160 hp 4.6 litre 283 cui small block Trademaster V8, today’s featured vehicle is officially recorded as having a 4 litre / 244 cui motor of yet to be determined origin.

The trim details on this workhorse were totally in keeping with the wonders of the late 50’s jet age, Apache 31 denotes that this is the 1/2 ton in the Task Force series.

After the introduction of the optional full width Fleetline bodies in 1959, an example of which I’ll be looking at next week, pick ups with non integrated rear wheel arches became known as step sides.

Apache 31’s were built on the shortest 114 inch wheel base option with a 6 and a half foot bed. With the introduction of the small block V8 to the Task Force Chevrolet maintained a dominant position in the Pickup market over Ford.

Thanks for joining me on this “Short Step Side” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !