When I was growing up, my dad bought a 1958 Chevy Apache Fleetside Deluxe. Both my brothers and I learned to drive in it. It was basically my daily driver for most of my high school years. After I graduated, Dad had the truck sandblasted and primed with the intention of restoring it, but , unfortunately, it sat untouched in his basement for the next 35 years or so. He eventually gave the truck to me, and about 6 years ago, I began to restore it.
I took the truck completely apart and did a frame off restoration. Since it had been kept indoors for all those years, it had very little rust. I replaced the stock rear-end with a 12 bolt positraction, 3.73 gears and 4 link suspension. I replaced the straight axle in front with a TCI independent suspension. It had a 283 in it , but I changed that out for a 5.3 LS and 4L60E transmission. The original gas tank was relocated under the bed. Vintage Air, power windows and a lot of parts from LMC , make the truck a joy to drive.
It took about 5 ½ years to finish it but I enjoyed every stage of the process. My wife and I really enjoy taking it to car shows or just getting out to cruise. The best thing though was to take my dad to a car show in it the summer he turned 90.