“Nothing works like a Chevy truck” said an old TV ad that I remember from back in the day. That’s certainly been true in my experience, since I have owned and wrenched on many of them in my time and never had one I didn’t like. Sadly my personal roster never included a ’58 or ’59 @ 1:1, but I know them from the trucks that came before and after them, so its easy for me to imagine cruising around in this 1:76 scale version since I know what the real thing would feel like. Ordered in a color MEV calls “Dynasty Green,” this isn’t exactly like a color that was actually offered on the real thing but it is in the ballpark, and it certainly has that ‘50’s look to it! For that reason I ordered a set of 5 lugs in a matching color and sure enough I’m very happy with the results! Running on one of my few remaining open rivet salvage chassis cobbled together from random parts, it’s not high performance but it is reliable and predictable.
1958 was the first year for the true steel-sided “Fleetside” design which carried into ’59 with very few changes, taking over from the fiberglass-sided “Cameo” version which is a rare animal today. The Fleetside may not have been as sleek as the Cameo but it was far more practical, and from this period until the beginning of the lame 21st century, every Chevy truck buyer has had the option of choosing a body design with the rear wheels mounted inboard or outboard of the box. And as always with Chevys back in the golden era, you could have it your way, with 3 engine options, 4 transmissions, and multiple types of rear axles in addition to different body styles, trim levels, and of course colors. Although the MEV catalog doesn’t specifically say, it seems likely this is meant to be the most common model, the ½ ton 3100 series short bed. The way it moves around the track I would say it is likely equipped with the “Trademaster” 283 V8 rather than the “Thriftmaster” inline 6: still no rocket, but not necessarily doomed to linger in the slow lane, either.
Reliability and predictability is what Chevy trucks have always been about, but this little model serves as a reminder of a time when they were about style, too; from an era when even the most utilitarian objects seemed artistically designed, its no wonder that people all over the world are clamoring for the few pickup trucks still out there with wraparound glass, chrome plated grilles and bumpers, and drivetrains strong enough to get the job done but simple enough for even the simplest mechanic to keep running forever.
This road warrior is a great addition to the fleet. It is absolutely and fantastic model and will turn many a head there at Drag City!!!