There’s a lot to be said about Chevy pickup trucks these days. Not only are their exponentially-climbing load capacities amazing, these trucks also prove that yes, even a pickup can have plenty of power and pro-like handling qualities. Certainly trucks from the past can’t beat them on this front; or can they? Check out this week’s episode of Big Muscle above to see just how capable a vintage Chevy truck can be with the right kind of gear!

Owned by Wes Drelleshak, this 1959 Apache Fleetside is quite the rarity even in the hot rod community. Sure, it’s a neat looking old truck with a great natural patina design to it, but this Apache goes well beyond that. That’s because it’s a straight-up autocross racer, and yes, we’re talking about the kind of autocross that involves carving through cones and speeding through turns for timed results.

To make the truck capable of this feat, Drelleshak equipped his Apache with a carbureted 383sbc engine good for about 500hp and 510lb-ft of torque. Out back, a Currie 9-inch rearend with 3.73 gears takes care of business while Ridetech triple-adjustable shocks keep every corner, pot hole and autocross cone in check. Beefy 295 tires also help keep the truck square on the road.

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Inside, the truck’s interior matches its exterior character, complete with a bare-metal dash with unfilled gauge holes, bare Dynamat on the floors and nothing overly shiny, except for the chrome glove box, which remains a part of the 1964 Nova SS dash Drelleshak incorporated into his build.

A build done in Drelleshak’s garage, along with the help of Deuces Wild Hot Rods and Customs in Fillmore CA. This ’59 Apache is truly one of the coolest trucks we’ve seen. After all, how many people can honestly say they own a vintage autocrossing farm truck?