Goodguys Truck of the Year "Koolant" EFI 327 V8 700R4 Disc Brakes A/C

During the dark days of '70s emissions systems, there was stalwart gearheads. During the disarray of the '80s malaise scene, there was hardcore gearheads. And even now, with increasing cost of ownership becoming the norm, there are still diehard gearheads. No matter where the future leads, there will ALWAYS be lifestyle enthusiasts who build a culture around the rush of turning transportation into art. And, unless you're one of us, it's something you'll never understand. So, what happens when a bona fide automotive power couple executes a $240K build with virtually no limits? You get a mind numbing head turner like this 1959 Chevrolet Apache! The product of an uncompromising vision and many talented builders, this stunning Chevy wraps a 327 cubic inch small block and stalwart 700R4 transmission in a custom suspension and one-of-a-kind appearance. And, if you're a fellow enthusiast who's looking to satisfy an unrelenting need to headline shows and make a big statement, it's the award-winning pickup of your dreams!

According to builders Jim and Donna Stach, 'Koolant' pretty much established its own design theme. In the late '50s and early '60s, American's were enamored with space and space travel. And, like many designs of that era, the couple's beloved Apache featured more than a striking resemblance to rockets and aircraft. So, when the goal of their frame-off restoration transitioned from creating a nice driver to birthing a head-turner, they decided to expand on that theme as tastefully as possible.

The truck's solid, all-original body was completely stripped by Color Works Auto Refinishing in Denver, Colorado. Clean, crisp and clad in bare metal, that fuselage made a quick trip across town to Zoomers Automotive for some choice customization. Traditional touches, like shaved fenders and a nosed hood, were complemented with a smoothed bed, a smoothed tailgate, capped bed stakes and a custom gravel pan. And the Stachs even decided to tub the wheel wells three inches just for good measure. Remarkably planar and ready for assembly, the Chevy was reunited with its original Oak bed planks back at Color Works. With those planks seated in custom, engine-turned skid strips, a steady stream of chrome from Sacramento, California's Sherm's Custom Plating was test-fitted alongside nickel components from Denver's Ajax Custom Plating. After that fitting was complete, custom DuPont 2-stage, mixed by the good folks at Denver Car Color, was applied under silver leaf stripes. Custom pinstripes, courtesy of Louie Allison from Arvada, Colorado, kicked off a virtual rampage of polishing and buffing. And, in late 2007, the pickup claimed Goodguys' Truck of The Year honors. Today, this incredible half-ton is a unique combination of time, talent and exceptional attention to detail. And with its killer paint, hot small block and stylish interior, it's the kind of top-notch street rod that's guaranteed to make you weak in the knees!

As expected, this awesome Apache's first rate detailing highlights both its solid form and stunning pigment. At the front of the truck, a custom, bullet-trimmed grille rides between modern headlights, recessed parking lamps and a shaved bumper. Above that grille, a Bel Air-inspired hood leads the eye to smoked glass, polished wipers and a custom Center High Mount Stop Lamp. At the sides of that hood, custom, rocket-themed mirrors combine with a custom fuel filler and customized door handles to detail a clean 'flow through' profile. And at the back of the truck, an embossed tailgate hangs polished supports between jet-inspired taillights, a custom tag bracket and a second shaved bumper.

In keeping with their theme of Jet Age progress, the Stachs decided to treat the truck's technology just as any major OEM would have. They took the solid engineering of the truck's original design and continued adding technological advancements that made for smoother and more efficient operation. Hoist the reinforced hood and you'll find a 327 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 that, thanks to the pros at Ridge Reamer Inc. of Arvada, Colorado, utilizes a .060 overbore to create stout 9.88 to 1 compression. At the top of the body-matched mill, custom, color-keyed air tubes force wind in to a polished Edelbrock intake that's juiced by tuned port fuel injection. At the base of that intake, GM 461 'double hump' heads hang Crane springs and Comp Pro Magnum roller rockers over Comp pushrods and dished Keith Black pistons. Those pushrods tap thanks to a Crane hydraulic cam, and those pistons push thanks to small journal rods and a forged steel crank. Fires are lit by a traditional points distributor and high quality Taylor plug wires. Cooling comes courtesy of a custom-shrouded aluminum radiator, which rides in front of a quick-spinning electric puller fan. Exhaust rumbles through ceramic-coated Sanderson block huggers. And in front of those headers, attractive Tru Trac pulleys spin a Cloyes timing set behind a modern power steering pump, a polished alternator and a polished AC compressor. Aesthetically, both the bright green small block and its assortment of handpicked accessories look right at home seated low in their smooth, body-matched frame. And details like trick dipsticks, custom valve covers and clean stainless hardware ensure the mill looks every bit as good as it runs.

Shimmy under this Chevy and you'll find a super clean undercarriage that's been prepped, primped and polished to match the truck's slick engine bay and stunning exterior. The dressed 327's power flows in to a chromed and painted 700R4 4-speed, which is equipped with a 2,400RPM stall converter. That transmission twists a polished aluminum driveshaft, which is hooked to a painted Dutchman 9-inch that's fitted with a polished Mark Williams center section and big, 4.11 gears. That proven axle pushes the truck on traditional Chevy leaf springs, which are attached to high quality Bilstein shocks. Tracking is provided by a TCI Mustang II front clip, which is complete with custom lower control arms and manual rack-and-pinion steering. And that chassis hangs from a body-matched frame that's been smoothed, C-notched, welded and attached to a full Air Ride Technologies ShockWave system. Quick stops are a cinch thanks to dual-piston Baer calipers, which utilize a Corvette master cylinder to squeeze two 13.5-inch drilled and slotted rotors up front, and two 10.5-inch drilled and slotted rotors out back. At the center of the floor, a custom, 2.5-inch exhaust system routes ceramic coated pipes through an X-shaped crossover and throaty Flowmaster mufflers. At the corners of the floor, Billet Specialties Rat Tail wheels throw torque through 255/45R20 front and 305/40R22 rear Nitto NT400s. And everything, from the truck's finned transmission cooler to its custom stainless fuel tank, is well planned, exceptionally executed and ready to reflect!

But the show doesn't stop there. Not by a long shot! When you pop this pickup's doors, you'll find a detail-oriented cockpit with charmingly retro surfaces that were installed by PJ Mobile Auto Upholstery of Commerce City, Colorado. Top dead center, a custom '59 Chevrolet dash hangs custom, Koolant-branded Classic Instruments gauges above Vintage Air climate control that's fitted with custom, bullet-style knobs. In front of that dash, a 6-way power bench, which was cribbed from a 1985 Chevy truck, centers a Koolant-branded crest on tight leather and shimmering '50s deadstock fabric. Below that seat, fresh weave carpet highlights billet foot pedals and leather kick panels. Opposite that carpet, a custom headliner flows from a custom rearview mirror to clean leather sail panels. At the sides of the passengers, bullet-trimmed doors hang a cool combination of speakers between hidden power windows, custom sill plates and fully finished jambs. And in front of the driver, a tilting Flaming River steering column spins a shrunken '56 Bel Air wheel around a custom column drop and custom, bullet-style shifter.

The sale of this vivid classic includes:

• A build book.
• Engine build specs.
• Restoration photos.
• Restoration receipts.

Perpetually cool and visually stunning, this awesome Chevy is a near perfect example of the omnipresent creativity that defines our hobby. With its top-notch craftsmanship and incredible asking price, it presents the rare opportunity to land a well-known trophy winner for the cost of a well-done road warrior. Don't miss your chance to own this killer custom!