By Rob Fortier – Images by NotStock Photography
In my lifetime, as a vehicle owner/operator (40 years now this month!), I’ve owned one “mini-truck;” it was a ’76 Datsun 620 that, save for a healthy lowering job and a set of Porsche 356 hubcaps literally hammered onto the OE wheels, was primarily stock (the modification in ride height is what deemed it a mini-truck!). Every other small-size pickup I’ve owned has either been completely stock or semi lifted. Suffice it to say, I’ve never considered myself a mini-trucker. However, my career began with the tutelage and close friendship of Courtney “Tito” Halowell, then-editor of MiniTruckin’, so my exposure to the world of minis was, let’s just say, much more in-depth than the average person.
Of all the things Halowell was involved with, he devoted a major part of his life to his club, of which he was a founding member: Negative Camber. Active to this day, with chapters worldwide as I’m told, you can still spot NC decals on trucks as well as etched in ink on various body parts of members at various shows coast-to-coast and beyond. But even with the recent resurgence in “OG” mini-trucks, many a mini-trucker alumni have made the transition to fullsize classics, whether recently or some years back. Kerry “Duck” Cunningham, a fellow NC member from Louisiana, is but one example of that.
Don’t Miss It: Canadian-Bred 1962 Chevy Apache
Duck, as some of you may recall, had his ’87 Nissan Hardbody (which he started building in 1994) on the cover of MiniTruckin’ back in 1999. In 2010, he officially embarked on his ’59 Apache project, which he stated was “still not done” 10 years later! Resplendent in Kendal Blue patina (done by himself) with a modern-influenced-yet-barebones interior, the Chevy is a nice mixture of traditional hot rod and new-school-vintage classic truck styling—of course with an attention to fine detail only a seasoned mini-trucker knows.
Starting from the ground up, the Apache’s chassis was updated using a narrowed Camaro clip with custom-made control arms, Belltech spindles, ’bags, and Fox shocks up front, while a custom two-link with a Watts link (also with Fox shocks and ’bags) brings down the rear—all by Kevin at Endless Metal Fab. Power comes by way of carbureted ’90s-era 454 big-block—no fancy LS or EFI, just the basics! Wheels are 22-inch Intro Vintage series wrapped in 30-series Nitto rubber.
More Apache Goodness: Troy Alston’s 1959 Chevy Apache
As mentioned, the patina’d exterior was done by Duck himself, however, that custom roof treatment featuring an inset of the Virgin Mary is a combination effort (metalflake root beer with vinyl graphic wrap and pinstriping) by Bobby Pitre, PG NOLA, and Gooch (who did the remainder of the ’striping as well), respectively. The bed wood is actually painted sheetmetal with polished stainless strips, and if you look very closely, you’ll notice the flipped patina’d bumpers feature scroll engraving (by Carey Matthews/Engraving by Carey). That “basic” interior consists of rear bench seat scavenged from a Dodge church van covered in “some fancy leather” (as Duck called it) by Wesley at Anything Car Audio along with an engraved ’56 Bel Air wheel atop the stock column.
Regardless of whether or not the Apache, which he’s dubbed “Rosie,” will ever be officially finished, he’d still like to thank the following for helping get the truck where it’s at today: Anthony Noto, Chopper, Val Harmon, Travis, Kevin, Wesley, Carey, and especially his son, Kendal, and wife, Stephanie!
Click on this issue’s cover to see the enhanced digital version of Kerry “Duck” Cunningham’s 1959 Chevy Apache.
