1957 Chevrolet Apache 3100
Task Force series · First year of the Apache name. 1955-1959 Task Force generati... · The Apache era begins — Chevrolet's most iconic classic truck
Highly Collectible
Production & Overview
Total Production
248,292
Original MSRP
N/A
Assembly Plants
Flint, MI · Janesville, WI · Kansas City, MO · Oakland, CA · Tarrytown, NY
Wheelbase
114 inches
Body Styles
Pickup · Panel · Suburban
Curb Weight
3,450 lbs
Notable Packages & Production
Cameo Carrier — Cameo
Luxury truck of its era — fiberglass flush bed, exclusive two-tone paint, premium interior
3-5x base
1,849
produced
283 V8 Engine — 283V8
Most desirable original engine — early small block
1.3-1.5x six-cylinder
95,000
produced
Available Engines
A 235ci — inline-6
Thriftmaster six — base engine
140 hp
F 265ci — V8
Small block V8 — first year small block in trucks
162 hp
G 283ci — V8
283 V8 — most desirable period engine
185 hp
Buyer Checklist
⚠ Clone warning: Original small block adds value. Cameo matching numbers more important — documented Cameos command premium. Most trucks have been engine swapped.. Always verify with cowl tag, engine stamp, and registry before purchase.
Firewall tag — confirms original paint, trim, and engine
Cab corners — primary rust location on all Task Force trucks
Floor pans — rust from age nearly universal
Rocker panels full length
Bed floor — wood floors almost always rotted
Frame rails — check full length for rust
Cameo — verify fiberglass bed sides original and undamaged
Door fit — indicates frame sag or collision history
Small block — verify original 265 or 283 if claimed
Two-tone paint — verify via firewall tag codes
Known Problem Areas
Cab corner and rocker rust — universal on 60+ year trucks
Floor pan rust
Wood bed floor rot
Wiring deterioration — original wiring is fire risk
Cameo fiberglass damage — cracks and repairs common
Clone Cameo — regular trucks given Cameo appearance trim
What Drives Value
↑ Increases Value
Cameo Carrier with documentation
Original small block V8 matching
Two-tone paint documented
Short bed pickup solid body
↓ Decreases Value
Rust through on body
Rotted frame
Clone Cameo
Missing firewall tag
Restoration Overview
Difficulty
Hard
Parts Availability
Good — Task Force trucks well supported
Driver Quality Cost
$22,000 – $50,000
Show Quality Cost
$60,000 – $120,000
Key Suppliers
Brothers Trucks · LMC Truck · Classic Industries · Ground Up SS
Pop Culture & Legacy
Apache name became synonymous with cool classic trucks
Task Force generation consistently ranks in top 3 most searched classic trucks
Cameo Carrier was the first luxury truck in American history
Featured extensively in custom truck and hot rod culture
Other Chevrolet Apache 3100 Years