Buzz
In late 1958, Chevrolet introduced the Fleetside pickups, taking over from the Cameo Carrier as Chevy's sporty truck offering. Here’s a look at the 1959 Fleetside pickup—check out more classic truck images.With its sporty, jet-inspired design, the 1959 Chevrolet Fleetside pickup was Chevrolet's answer to Ford's stylish Styleside trucks.
Car enthusiasts still recall the bold 1959 Chevy cars, featuring their batwing fins, cat's-eye taillights, and a truck bed so large, as legendary auto critic Tom McCahill remarked, 'big enough to land a Piper Cub.'
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In 1959, Chevrolet marked the production of its seven-millionth truck, which included the Apache Fleetside pickup, part of the iconic "Task Force" series. At this point, Chevrolet pickups were becoming more refined and sophisticated.
The Cameo Carrier made a bold entry into the sporty pickup market in 1955, and by mid-1958, it was replaced by the Fleetside. The new model carried over the full-width rear body design but offered a more affordable option.
Primarily designed to compete with Ford's sleek Styleside trucks, the Fleetside's standout feature was its 'jet pod' side sculpture, capped off with round taillights. It came with the typical payload ratings, a double-wall steel cargo bed, and an extra-wide tailgate.
While the more traditional narrow-box pickups continued under the Stepside name, it was the stylish Fleetside that truly drove sales. The addition of quad headlamps and more prominent grilles in 1958 helped elevate its look.
The 1959 model remained largely unchanged, but it hinted at speed with its new missile-shaped fender badges replacing the old jet plane emblems and sported a more daring hood ornament. The two-tone color scheme was updated, with the split running along the character line, placing the upper body color on the chrome-trimmed side sculpture and the lower body color on the rear cab roof posts.
Power was supplied by either the reliable 235-cid six-cylinder engine or the more robust 283-cid V-8. Available transmissions included three-speed options (with and without overdrive), a four-speed, and the Hydra-matic. A new option for the model was the Positraction limited-slip differential.
The standard wheelbase remained 114 inches, providing a 6.5-foot bed, but an optional 123-inch wheelbase with an 8.3-foot bed was also available. Ford had a slight advantage with the availability of a full nine-foot box.
This durable pickup was further enhanced with features like a unitized cab design, a 1000-square-inch wraparound windshield, an 18-inch steering wheel, coil-spring seats, and face-level ventilation for comfort.
Chevrolet proudly declared, 'These are the best-looking truck cabs that ever came down the road!'
Collectible Pluses for the 1959 Chevrolet Fleetside Pickup
- Modern and stylish design
- Strong performance
- Durable construction
- Parts easily available
- Widely favored model
- Affordable pricing
- Fuel efficient
Collectible Minuses for the 1959 Chevrolet Fleetside Pickup
- Relatively abundant
- Performance often undervalued
For additional insightful articles and captivating images of both new and vintage trucks, visit:
- Classic Trucks
- Ford Trucks
- Consumer Guide Auto Reviews and Prices
