African Muscle Cars - Forum

Before I get started, I know VERY little about cars and am by no means a petrol head, but it’s always been a dream of mine to own an old pickup…



In 2011 I had a mate who had acquired a 59 Apache minus the rolling chassis – unfortunately he immigrated to Australia so I kindly took it off his hands. The car sat in my yard for a while, partly due to finances and partly due to being unable to find a chassis.



Managed to find a chassis in November 2012 and sent it off to have it sandblasted and prepped. Fitted a jag suspension, new suspension and a few other small bits in between…

Next on the list is the bodywork – had it sandblasted and discovered it’s in worse shape than I thought, but fortunately nothing that can’t be fixed. Bodywork is underway as we speak and I’m hoping to have it finished and ready for painting by the time I get back to SA (end of the month).



I’ve recently bought a 350 Chev engine and box from Rocket88 and now sourcing parts to have it rebuilt. Plan is to fit a 408 Stroker Kit, new heads, intakes and a whole bunch of other stuff, but just found the pricing in SA to be excessive – still working on this!! As much as I want to support local, need to watch the bank balance!!



There are a few things I’m still trying to sort out:

- Need to source a bench seat

- Want to fit power steering, but not sure which unit would be compatible…

- Want to fit air conditioner

- Need to build and fit a new petrol tank – still deciding on best location for the tank and the fuel cap

- Chrome bumpers and trim need restoration – may just buy new from LMC Truck

- Paint colour – this is giving me sleepless nights!!



Hopefully I’ll have some updated pics of the bodywork that I can post this week. Was hoping to have the car on the road by December but it’s looking more likely to be February/March…

very nice, light silver bottom, dark silver charcoal top or the other way around, MY 2c on the colours anyway

Very Nice!! Take a look at the "C" model Merc's power steering. I fitted it to my 65 Malibu. Real pleasure!! What about the Jag power steering?? Should go with your Jag suspension

Johann65 wrote:Very Nice!! Take a look at the "C" model Merc's power steering. I fitted it to my 65 Malibu. Real pleasure!! What about the Jag power steering?? Should go with your Jag suspension

Think the Jag power steering might be the answer, thanks!!

Got a few pics today, looking forward to seeing it in person in 2 weeks!! Block will be off to the engineers soon... fitting a 383 Stroker Kit.

Been a while since i posted an update... Body prep after sand blasting

Had to get rid of those sharp edges on the bin.

Starting to look like something now...

Finally got a coat of paint on, pretty happy with the outcome. Still have a bit of rubbing down to go to get the perfect finish though.

Managed to pick up a newly built 383 for a bargain... The 350 is coming out and will be rebuilt and then sold to get recoup some of my expenses.

A number of spares have arrived from the USA, got a wiring harness and the stainless steel bed kit on order which should arrive next week. Currently building a new fuel tank to be mounted at the back, under the chassis.

Hoping to have it on the road by July.