58/59 APACHE

[RAT-T]

DOES ANYONE CAST THIS TRUCK? I THOUGHT R&R DID, BUT I DIDN'T SEE IT ON THEIR SITE

THANKS

[dimaxion]

Try Modelhaus . Excellent : better than when new .. Thanx ..

[High octane]

Try Bandit Resin also.

[Longbox55]

X2 Modelhaus. I have one of each, plus the long and short Fleetside beds, you will not be disappointed. One word about them, though; they look to be based mainly on the original promos, the fender badges are 3200 series, which is the long bed 1/2 ton. That does make them technically incorrect for the shortbed 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, and 1 ton trucks. I don't know if they would consider making the side badges separate (they're molded to the fenders), where they could do it with the 3100 (short 1/2), 3600 (3/4) and 3800 (1 ton) badges. I'll have to double check, but I believe they also have the V8 hood emblem.

If you get the complete conversion kit, you'll get the cab/hood, grille, headlamp trim, grille surround, 4 headlamps,2 turn signal/front marker lamps, hood emblem, 4 hubcaps s(ame as the '57 Cameo, without the trim ring and are correct for '57-'60), and 4 wheel outers. If you opt for the Fleetside bed, they include the bed w/tailgate molded in place, 2 taillights, bed floor, and for the long version, frame extensions. The Fleetside beds really should have included a bumper as well, since on the 1:1, the Fleetside rear bumper is different from the Stepside bumper.

In order to do an accurate stock truck, you will need the steering wheel and engine from the '57 kit, and the front axle from either Cameo kit. Otherwise, any of the '55/'57 kits will do for the balance of the parts.

[RAT-T]

THANKS GUYS, I FOUND ONE ON THE MODELHAUS SITE. IS THE 55 & 57 CAMEO BED THE SAME AS THE 58 & 59?

I DIDN'T SEE A COMPLETE CONVERSION, JUST THE CABS

THANKS

[Longbox55]

The Fleetside beds are separate from the cabs, and are listed under "Parts", but the cab kits should be complete with the balance of the parts that I listed. The '57 Cameo bed would be correct for the '58, there were no Cameo trucks in '59, as the Fleetside took its place. The '55 bed is really only correct for '55-'56.

Something I didn't mention, the cab kits are available in both Chrome (headlamp surrounds, grille, hubcaps, hood ornament), and Unchromed. There's about $10 difference.

[Longbox55]

Here's a few pic of the Modelhaus conversions.

[RAT-T]

THANK FOR THE PICS BILL, I DID FIND THE BED IN THE PARTS SECTION.

DID CHEVY HAVE THE CAMEO & THE FLEET SIDE AT THE SAME TIME, OR DID THE CAMEO END IN 58?

[Longbox55]

There was a short time of crossover between the two, but the Cameo was only made until around mid-'58. They basically used the leftover parts until inventory was used up. Oddly enough, while the '58 Cameo is the rarest of the 4 model years it was produced, it is also the least desirable.

[RAT-T]

WELL I JUST BOUGHT THE '57 CAMEO TO DO THE '58, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR OPINION ON THE CHROME, OR PLAIN KIT?

[Longbox55]

If you're planning to do a Cameo, you'll want the chrome version. The Cameo was pretty much a loaded truck, I've never seen one that didn't have The chrome grille/headlamp trim and chrome bumper options.

[RAT-T]

OK, IF I GET THE CHROME OPTION & CHANGE MY MIND, WHAT TAKES CHROME OFF OF RESIN SAFELY?

[Longbox55]

Superclean should work just fine. It won't hurt the resin that Modelhaus uses.

[RAT-T]

GREAT, THANKS AGAIN BILL

[Longbox55]

No problem. If you have any questions on the '55-'59 Chevrolet trucks, just ask.

[RAT-T]

I WILL BILL, THANKS

[greymack]

Hi RAT-T hey if you don't find that truck in resin or another place you can always split the front fenders in half on a 55 chev and go from there.

[RAT-T]

THANKS GEORGE, I THINK I WOULD MESS IT UP