COALED BLOODED

A Diesel-Powered 1959 Apache from The Great White North

- John Mata Jr

Everyone needs a hobby to keep themselves busy and out of trouble. With so many different pastimes to choose from, some folks can easily say that nothing has proven to be as captivating as building custom cars and trucks. Customizing is so satisfying on so many levels—especially that first dopamine hit that comes with the finding and scoring of the next classic vehicle. Further satisfaction comes with the completion of every step, big and small, along the way. Having an ongoing vehicular project in the garage is like having a puzzle that constantly needs attention. It’s there and available every hour of the day to work on, and offers a heightened enjoyable experience when friends and family members can jump in on the action. But unlike that 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, a finished vehicle project offers the unique experience of physically driving it immediately after it’s done.

George Vinge of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada can vouch for the sentiments above. The sole reason he purchased this 1959 Chevy Apache pickup was to preserve a piece of automotive history while having a good excuse to indulge in spending time with his favorite people in the garage. While George would agree that the easiest part of the restoration process was striking the deal to purchase the truck from its previous owner, he found that the challenges he faced and overcame along the way were by far the most rewarding.