“Just because you’re building a patina-style truck doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for taking proper care of the details,” Jon says. Any and all rusted areas of sheetmetal were then either repaired or replaced for good measure. Once Jon was done with his share of the metalwork, he sent the body to Cleveland, Ohio so James Borris could blend the spots that were recently worked on with the original painted patina. The conversion wasn’t as bad as he’d first feared, so while he was in full metalwork mode, he went ahead and created custom inner fenders, a custom firewall, and then widened the rear factory tubs a full 6 inches. With little information available online on how to successfully pull this transformation off, Jon decided to just go for it on his own with the use of a big-back-window-equipped donor cab. The cab’s original small back window didn’t stand a chance of remaining intact, since Jon was hell-bent on running a big window conversion. A total of three different trucks were purchased to piece together this one truck. PATINA ARENAĪnother mainstay at The Standard Speed Shop is the preservation of gorgeous, natural patina, which Jon is adamant about differentiating from rust. Big power will always remain a prerequisite for anything that leaves the premises. This signature performance drivetrain setup is the “standard” of classic vehicle builds Jon is expecting The Standard (hence the name) to deliver. Next, the 6-speed Tremec T56 Magnum transmission was mated to the LS once it was dropped back into place. Jon built the TIG-welded stainless exhaust system in-house, as well as all of the engine bay panels that have been completely Cerakoted for a perfectly “untouched” appearance. To add to the Apache’s overall performance, Jon contacted Accelerated Performance in Toledo, Ohio to build up an LS iron block 6.0L complete with every top shelf, go-fast accessory imaginable, including a Precision 76mm turbo for a hearty helping of boost. To finish off the newly reconditioned chassis, Jon selected a set of 20-inch Rotiform SAC-M wheels, along with Nitto NT tires for a modern twist on both form and function. The stock rails were utilized in creating the boxed and reinforced frame that now features front Mustang II geometry, a rear 2-link, Slam Specialties ’bags, Ridetech shocks, AccuAir e-Level air management, and Viair compressors to reach the most ideal ride and park heights. The frame itself was already in solid as-is condition, but Jon just wanted to blow it apart and redo the air and brake plumbing, electrical wiring, and fuel and A/C systems, along with new Wilwood brake components-just so the new build wouldn’t be based on a simple body swap. This ’59 Chevy Apache was an important work in progress for Jon, as its overall execution in all aspects was to serve as The Standard Speed Shop’s physical mission statement. While nothing was wrong with the ’58, Jon had his vision locked on building a beige patina, big back window Fleetside Apache, so he sold everything off except the frame and began to rework the chassis to prep it for use in the upcoming project. In fact, the chassis was already in his shop sitting underneath a gray ’58 Apache truck of his that was a completed, running and driving pickup. APACHE CHASSISĮven before Jon started on his ’59 Apache, he had the perfect chassis in mind for it. From the ride quality to the horsepower and torque under the hood, to the subtly stylized yet highly impressive interior and exterior presentation-the whole package had to come out perfect for the truck to be placed at the forefront of the shop’s grand opening. ![]() While Jon has completed his fair share of personal classic cars and trucks up until the point of The Standard Speed Shop becoming what it is today, one particular vehicle swayed his decision to take things to the next level. Although I love every facet about the build, the combination of unassuming original paint patina and a 1,000hp boosted 6-speed will never get old.
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