This garage-built turbo Chevy Apache Truck is the perfect answer to the trailer queen phenomenon. It’s a road-tripping, 500-horsepower street machine that wears its history with pride, and its owner, Eddie Maestro, wouldn’t have it any other way. In a recent feature on Autotopia LA, Eddie showed off his 1959 Apache–a truck that’s racked up nearly 30,000 miles in just two years, proving he built it for the open road.

From Farm Truck To Turbo LS Power

Under the weathered hood, you’ll find a surprisingly simple and effective powertrain. The heart of the build is a 4.8-liter LS engine with a stock bottom end, upgraded with a BTR Stage 2 cam. A 7875 GS Racing turbo provides the boost, with the filter element uniquely mounted through the passenger-side fender for a blast of cool air. Eddie estimated the truck’s output, saying, “I think she’s pushing a little past 500 at the tire.”

Laying Frame On A Modern Chassis

The truck’s aggressive stance and ability to lay its frame on the pavement come from a modern chassis and a well-sorted air suspension. Eddie replaced the original frame with GSI front and rear clips, providing a strong, modern foundation. An Airlift Performance system handles the adjustments. The thoughtful engineering on this Garage Built Turbo Chevy Apache Truck makes it a comfortable cross-country cruiser.

Garage Built Turbo Chevy Apache Truck

The most striking feature of the build is the contrast between its exterior and interior. While the outside proudly displays its original patina, a look Eddie’s wife encouraged him to keep, the inside is immaculate. Eddie described his goal, saying, “I wanted it to feel on the inside like it was painted on the outside.” The cabin features a custom Snowden seat and Dakota Digital gauges, creating a clean, comfortable space.

Built To Be Driven

Ultimately, this truck displays a philosophy that many enthusiasts share. AutotopiaLA’s Shawn Davis summed it up perfectly when he said, “I swear to you, every patina vehicle we’ve ever shot, it’s built to be driven rather than built to be shown.” Eddie’s Apache is a powerful, reliable, and comfortable custom truck that he didn’t build to sit in a garage. He built it to see the country, and that’s exactly what it does.