’59 Apache | That’s Naughty by Nature

A ’59 Apache That’s Naughty by Nature

They say the devil is in the details. Well, if that’s the case, then allow us to introduce you to Satan himself—well, in truck form. Rich Grubert has painstakingly made every effort to make his ’59 Chevy Apache unlike any other you’ve seen before, and to do that, he’s elevated what’s to be expected from a custom classic truck. There is a lot hiding beneath the surface here, and the deeper you look, you’re guaranteed not to see it all at first, second or even sixth glance. 

Being a ritualistic huntsman by nature, Rich is quite fond of scouring the outlying realms beyond for perfectly sun scorched truck parts needed to get his current project closer to finished.

“From junkyards to backyards, there was not a location that we did not pursue in search of the patina paradise,” he says. “The journey did finally end though after two years of stumbling upon what would be soon be transformed into my X-Rated Apache.”

While Rich locked down the truck and all the panels he’d need to bolt a complete pickup together, it would be another two years down the line before anything really got cooking.

“I was waiting for the ever-elusive ideas/concepts to surface before making any big moves,” he admits. “In that time, however, I reached out to my partners Driven Speed Shop and Phoenix Hot Rod Company to start developing what it is we could make out of this thing.”

While the creative juices were left to boil, a full custom rolling chassis from TCI was ordered to serve as a solid foundation for the Apache. The IFS and rear four-link would deliver top shelf ride quality, and the full Accuair e-Level system that Rich decided on would ensure the perfect ride height for every occasion. To top off the chassis just right, 20-inch Detroit Steel Wheels were chosen, then painted to blend in with the natural patina that would be showcased on the truck’s exterior.

“‘One-off’ was our mantra for this truck,” Rich says. “There was very little, if anything, that I wanted to be ordinary here, and every idea received the examination it deserved amongst our group.”

While in close communication with the team at Phoenix Hot Rod Company, the concept of Japanese architecture became a guide for the visual inspiration for the metalwork that would go into the dash, firewall and bed. Different iterations of patchwork copper designs were thrown around until a particular overlay pattern became everyone’s favorite.

“It just looked aggressive and had an undeniable a flair of pure art,” Rich says.

The X-Rated name just kind of evolved as the truck began to take its unique shape.

“With a name like that, it required us to design a bed to be just as fantASStic,” Rich says with pride. “The exhaust was shaped in sensual patterns up and over the notch that fit like a velvet glove. With the touch of a button, the bed opens via remote which slowly initiates the screw-drive that elevates the experienced ‘mushroom’ barn wood bed floor.”

To take things off into another dimension, the fender wells were stretched just enough to make room for what Rich refers to as the nightcap compartments. These tucked away pockets allow for 10 cold beers to be stashed on each side—now is that diabolically genius or what?

Back inside the cab, Rich turned to The Jalopy Shop to create a Tiffany Blue colored leather bench seat with a diamond stitch pattern that looks so elegantly sinister. When the time came to picking the right steering wheel, the process proved to be a tougher decision to make than originally thought.

“We went in circles narrowing it down to just one, but we went on to source/restore a ’59 Edsel Tele-Touch steering wheel so we could repurpose the buttons to activate headlights, dome lights, hazards, etc., instead of their original purpose of shifting the transmission.”

Now, remember that killer dash mentioned before? Well, of course the guys weren’t ready to quit while they were ahead—they pushed on for yet another W. A bunch of century-old Indian head pennies were collected and added not only for decoration, but also to function as buttons to operate the ignition, climate controls and the like. And to combat the lullaby sounds coming from the exhaust system, JL Audio 6x9s were concealed under the dash, and a Thin-Line 10-inch sub and Bluetooth amp were placed behind the sofa. When it’s just as fun to sit in the cab than it is to look at the rest of the truck, you know you’ve done it up right.

There’s a motor under the hood, we promise, but that’s not where your eyes will naturally gravitate. You’ll be more attracted to the copper paneling that ties in with the dash. There’s just something about what the guys did with this design that’s so mesmerizing. But in case you’re interested in the specs of the engine, just know that Driven Speed Shop took very good care of it.

“They have proven themselves to be where to go for help with a forced induction LS transplants,” Rich says. “The heartbeat is monitored by Holley, the oxygen is provided by a 68 mm Garret turbo, and the flow is managed by Turbosmart’s BOV, EBoost2 digital controller and wastegate. Mikey of Driven then prescribed liberal programming to allow the engine to not only breathe, but to also work in harmony with the Hughes transmission and converter by using RPMs, speed and boost level to direct it when to shift.”

When it comes to building a truck like Mr. Rich Grubert’s X-Rated Apache, patience and staying true to your own style remain to be the keys to success.

“Think freely, and don’t let others street you away from the ideas and concepts you develop and genuinely like,” Rich encourages us all to do. “Just like Big Daddy Kane, there ‘Ain’t Half Steppin’ when it comes to building the true custom vehicle of your dreams. Find the inspiration that grabs you and get to work.”

TRUCK SPECS

Owner 

Rich Grubert
1959 Chevy Apache
Tempe, Arizona 

Engine/Drivetrain/Performance 

Shop: Driven Speed Shop, Gilbert, AZ
Chevy 5.3L V-8
Energy Suspension engine mount kit
Hooker turbo exhaust manifold
Magnaflow muffler
Holley front drive kit
Wiseco 9:1 pistons
DART sterilized aluminum heads
Texas Speed stage II turbo grind camshaft
Holley Dominator EFI fuel injection and Street Fire ignition
Turbosmart wastegate, BOV, EBoost2 digital controller
Hughes Performance stage II 4L80E transmission, shift kit and custom torque converter
Derale twin-fan transmission cooler
Ford 9-inch rearend

Chassis/Suspension 

Shop: Phoenix Hot Rod Company, Tempe, AZ
Custom TCI powdercoated chassis featuring TCI IFS, custom rear four-link and C-Notch, custom crossmember
Accuair e-Level air management

Wheels/Tires/Brakes 

20×9-inch and 20×10-inch Detroit Steel Wheels Ambassador wheels
275/30/20 Nitto tires
Wilwood disc brakes

Body/Paint

Shop: Sosa at Phoenix Hot Rod Company
Original patina with squeegee clear coat
Original front bumper, custom rear bumper
Remote control LED lights
Custom “mushroom” barn wood used in bed

Interior

Shop: The Jalopy Shop, Phoenix, AZ
Custom seats wrapped in Tiffany Blue leather
Dakota Digital instrumentation
’59 Edsel steering wheel |
Hand laid copper dash was designed with recessed 1905 Indian head pennies throughout that double as hidden AC, ignition, under-lighting and other accessories
Custom shift knob by Mind Into Metal
JL Audio Bluetooth amp, flat 10-inch subwoofer and 6x9s under dash