What makes a truck an "apache"

[spacedebris]

Ok, This may be a dumb question but I cant seem to find an answer.

I know the meanings of the C and K classifications but I've seen a number of trucks that have the name "Apache". Sometimes I see "Apache 10" and sometimes I see just "Apache". What makes a truck an Apache and does the Apache name run multiple levels of trucks? I've seen the name on everthing from 1/2 ton pickups to the large heavy duty 2 ton and larger trucks.


The reason I'm asking is when I bought my panel it was advertised as an "apache", yet I've seen the 1 ton panels both with and without the name apache associated. Thanks for any info that you can provide.

[markeb01]

Best I can figure out the Apache name applied to every Chevrolet truck from 1958-1961. 10's, 20's, 40's, etc. I am "assuming" plain Apaches were 58-59 and Apache 10's were 1960-61.

If someone else knows better I welcome any corrections.

[TJ's Chevy]

Just like chevy had their brand names such as Silverado, blazer, s-10. I would think that Apache is a type of brand that chevy used as a name for their trucks. And I think that through 1959-1961 were the only years for that name. I think only the 1/2 tons were called the "Apache". I know that a 1958 C-60 was called a Sparten LCF. And the 1959 C-60 was called the Viking series.

[Chance72]

I know the trucks also had different features than the original 10s. Two of my friends have one, one is a 59, other is a 61 with a 63 front body panels except the hood, (due to a wreck he had) and I dream of having one later in life. The hood was the eyebrow shaped hood and they also had 4 headlights instead of 2. The last year for the apaches that I know of is 61.
Heres the differences-
Regular C10 from 59

Apache from 59

Regular C10 from 60s

Apache from 60s

[70inline6]

My 60 is an Apache, and like others have said, 61 was the last year that I know of where it's written out on the badge. I've never heard of there being any option differences, except standard and Custom.

The early 70's Chevy trucks (and some newer concept trucks) were Cheyenne models. All of the auto makers liked the "Indian tribe" monikers.

Jeep used 'Comanche,' Pontiac used 'Chief,' Indian motorcycle uses 'Chief' and used 'Blackhawk' and 'Scout,' International (IHC) used 'Scout.'

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by Chance72

I know the trucks also had different features than the original 10s. Two of my friends have one, one is a 59, other is a 61 with a 63 front body panels except the hood, (due to a wreck he had) and I dream of having one later in life. The hood was the eyebrow shaped hood and they also had 4 headlights instead of 2. The last year for the apaches that I know of is 61.
Heres the differences-
Regular C10 from 59
Attachment 1121852
Apache from 59
Attachment 1121853
Regular C10 from 60s
Attachment 1121857
Apache from 60s

Um... no.
The first truck in your list, the blue one, is a '55-'57. And I'm going to guess '55-'56, because it doesn't have the hood bulges that I think the '57 has.
The second one is a '58 or '59. They were ALL 4-headlight front-ends.
In your second batch, your first truck is a '63, as evidenced by the grill. The other is a '60 or '61 (I forget which, because I can't view the pic while I'm writing this).
In '60 and '61, the hood and grills were NEARLY identical: the hood inserts changed, and the center of the grill changed.

The Apache name applied to Chevy trucks from '58-'61. In '62 they went with the C-series designation.
I don't know what year they started the -10, -20, -30, -40, etc. designations, but in '60 it was an Apache 10. There is a '61 Apache 40 in the local junkyard--a stake-bed truck.
(that I'd really, really, REALLY like to have!)

-Brad

[63burban4x4]

I might be mistaken, but as I recall, the "Spartan" was the LCF trucks? I know the bigger, early regular cab trucks were Vikings. As an adolescent, I loaded a lot of hay bales for the farmer up the road, on a Viking model, that was about a "40" series, probably a '59. (this happened around 1963 or 64)
If we helped, we got to drive the truck to the barn, pretty cool for a 13-14 year old kid.

[Chance72]

Originally Posted by Brad54

Um... no.
The first truck in your list, the blue one, is a '55-'57. And I'm going to guess '55-'56, because it doesn't have the hood bulges that I think the '57 has.
The second one is a '58 or '59. They were ALL 4-headlight front-ends.
In your second batch, your first truck is a '63, as evidenced by the grill. The other is a '60 or '61 (I forget which, because I can't view the pic while I'm writing this).
In '60 and '61, the hood and grills were NEARLY identical: the hood inserts changed, and the center of the grill changed.

The Apache name applied to Chevy trucks from '58-'61. In '62 they went with the C-series designation.
I don't know what year they started the -10, -20, -30, -40, etc. designations, but in '60 it was an Apache 10. There is a '61 Apache 40 in the local junkyard--a stake-bed truck.
(that I'd really, really, REALLY like to have!)

-Brad

I didn't have any pictures of the later 50s trucks so I just googled them... Sorry if I was wrong there, but I just used the first truck I found.. I don't really know a lot with the 50s. Im into the 60s to early 70s.

[spacedebris]

thanks for all the replies. Looks like its not a straight forward issue like the c and k designations.

When I'm not able to work on my panel (a 1960 1 ton), I try researching more about it. Things like production runs are not available pre 1963 and it seems that much of the documentations are more hearsay than anything else. During my research, I have found many references to Apache but nothing specific. It didnt seem to be a model, trim level, size reference, or anything else differential. It seems to be more generic than anything else.

Now I've also heard "Viking" associated with the 1 ton level as well. Now Viking seems to be a little more "descriptive" IMO. From what I can see, it seems that Viking is the early term for Heavy Duty. In later year terms the Viking seems to be the c/k 30 and larger. However, while I have seen it in the 1 ton level, more often than not it seems to refer to the 2 ton and larger that get the Viking name.

I've even been told by a couple of sources that my panel could be known by both Apache and Viking at the same time. I was speaking with a couple of auto collectors and found a paper that showed in 1960 that chevy had a ... 1 ton Chevrolet Apache Viking Panel... Now I'm still trying to get copies of that but no luck yet. Its in a private collection that is sealed in such a way that it makes copying impossible without removing from the protection and the owner refuses to do so. I've tried taking pictures of it but it just doesnt come out readable for some reason.

Anyway, thanks for all the answers so far. Keep 'em coming if you can add anything. I'll take what I can get

[jchav62]

That "regular C-10" from '59 is actually a '55 or '56 3100 (the half ton pickup designation pre-1958). Apache was used from 58-61... C-10 was used from 1962 to probably 1986... then in '87 the 1500-2500-3500 series began.

[Budman56]

I always thought the differnce was either your truck had twin head light = (apache) or a single head light = not (apache) thats the only differnce I know about.

[70inline6]

60 and 61 both say Apache 10/20 on the emblems. (Classic truck parts catalog, p. 51 example.)

[Captainfab]

This.......

Originally Posted by jchav62

That "regular C-10" from '59 is actually a '55 or '56 3100 (the half ton pickup designation pre-1958). Apache was used from 58-61... C-10 was used from 1962 to probably 1986... then in '87 the 1500-2500-3500 series began.

The '62-'86 trucks, Suburbans used the C and K series designations. Then the '87-'91 trucks and Suburbans used the R and V series designations.

The term 'Apache' was used as a series designation the same as the C and K was used from '62-'86

[spacedebris]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

This.......



The '62-'86 trucks, Suburbans used the C and K series designations. Then the '87-'91 trucks and Suburbans used the R and V series designations.

The term 'Apache' was used as a series designation the same as the C and K was used from '62-'86

I've got a question about this. C and K series were C/K 10 for 1/2 ton, C/K 20 for 3/4 ton, C/K 30 for 1 ton and so forth. This I understand and I've seen the badges and such on each level. But on Apache, I've only seen Apache and Apache 10. I've never seen Apache 20, 30 and so on. Was there an Apache 30 for example? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm still trying to get this all straight in my head.

[pdxhall]

FEATHERS!!

[70inline6]

Originally Posted by spacedebris

... I've never seen Apache 20, 30 and so on. Was there an Apache 30 for example?

Yep - At least for 1960:

Apache 20

Apache 30

[1963c-10]

Not nit-picking, but I think this is a 62 Brad, or at least has 62 emblems

[70inline6]

Could be a 62 with a 63 grill, or a 63 with 62 emblem(s)? I'm guessing 63 as the grill patina looks like the bumper's.

[Corts60]

That grill is a 4-5-6. Most likely the grille was changed and that truck is a '62
Posted via Mobile Device

[TJ's Chevy]

The tan chevy 1/2 ton with the stepper spare tire cut out is a 1962 with a 1964-1966 chevy grill. If you look at the kick panel on the right side and look for a metal panel with the optional motors on it you can tell what year it is. But it is not an apache. This kinda makes light into the subject. I know more about the 60's chevy than any other year so I think that from 1958-1961 anything that was custom was called the apache. I could be wrong. But it sounds logical to me. What does every body think?

[TJ's Chevy]

One reason I wish I lived i the 50's is because I would have been able to ask the chevy owners of the dealer what the heck apache even meant.

[spacedebris]

Originally Posted by 70inline6

Yep - At least for 1960:

Apache 20

Apache 30

Thank you very much!! Now this is starting to make sense. I've never seen those before. Must have been doing my searches wrong somehow. Now I just have to figure out if Viking and Apache were used in combo at some levels.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by 70inline6

Could be a 62 with a 63 grill, or a 63 with 62 emblem(s)? I'm guessing 63 as the grill patina looks like the bumper's.

That's not a 63 grill

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by spacedebris

Thank you very much!! Now this is starting to make sense. I've never seen those before. Must have been doing my searches wrong somehow. Now I just have to figure out if Viking and Apache were used in combo at some levels.

Viking was used in 1959 for the big rigs in that case a C-60 in 1958 the C-60's were called Spartan lcf's.

[spacedebris]

Originally Posted by 70inline6

Yep - At least for 1960:

Apache 20

Apache 30

I had been searching for that "Apache 30" for more than a year before and never found one. Then 70inline6 showed that they actually did/do exist. And I've continued searching since. Well last week I FINALLY found one and bought it.



Only took 1.5 years. Now I just have to find one more