So I built an old truck. Big deal, thats what I always do. Maybe the better story here is not what I did but why.
The tune haunted me as long as I could remember. I’d hear snippets of it in my head or it would be playing very softly in some musty antique shop somewhere and just when I’d try to follow it and really understand it, it would be gone in a flash...nothing but a fading ghosted memory, leaving me not even sure if I’ve heard it in the first place. As it was a wordless instrumental tune, it was impossible to research by keywording lyrics...even a mismatched facsimile of lyrics, as what seems to be normal for me. With no lyrics, no name, and no ability to coherently reconstruct the song from memory, my only choice was to wait for the tune to come to me...and it would, but only on certain occasions. Maybe it has to do with its galloping tribal beat or its heavy use of vibrato, but I associate the tune with battle...but only a certain type of battle. Its the tune that you hear when after months, maybe even years of living in fear you finally stand up to the school bully and take him down, even though he’s a full head taller and outweighs you by 140 pounds. Its the tune you hear when a thug pulls a knife on you in a back alley and you give him a devilish sneer and a promise in your best Clint Eastwood voice that he will surely eat his own balls if he fucks with you. To me, it is the sound of righteous victory against all odds. Its macho enough to be deemed as badass, but beautiful enough to be romantic. Heavy reverb gives it an eerie, lonely sound. It is reminiscent of thunder and the desert...of cactus and buffalo skulls and skies the color of lead. Poetic and forlorn, its the kind of tune that only makes sense in dreams.
Recently, we tuned to a streaming surf rock station on my girlfriend’s laptop. Surf rock is, by in large, wordless and nice to have in the background while doing other things...cool, even badass without being overly distracting. It isn’t overly distracting...unless, of course...that certain song comes on. I’m sure you can imagine my reaction when thirty or so seconds into it, I caught on to what I was hearing. With a racing heart and shaking hands, I scrambled to the laptop to see the name of the song and artist before it was gone...gone for good. I felt an eerie shiver up my spine as I read the title. The song that haunted me...the one that came to me in times of distress, in fight or flight situations and in dreams...the one that occasionally came into mind as a fleeting, ghostlike snippet finally had a name! Apache.
Now that it had a name, I vowed to learn as much about it as possible. It was originally recorded in 1960. In name and in sound, the piece conjures up imagery of the American Old West but it was written by members of a British band called The Shadows. Apache made it into the list of 100 most influential guitar songs of all time...96th to be exact, but to me the song ranks much, much higher. It was covered and sampled several times, even made more famous than the original by the likes of the Incredible Bongo Band, The Sugarhill Gang, Afrika Bambaataa, L.L. Cool J and even Sir Mixalot in his song “Jump On It”. While any version may be good in its own way, (except for the laughable, culturally insensitive disco version by Tommy Seebach) this link provides the song in its oldest, most original form.
So what does this all have to do with the Lego truck? Its a 1960 Chevy Apache panel truck and shares the same name and year as the song. I allowed my subconscious to guide this build, probably more so than any other. It was vitally important to build in dark gray. While not a particularly flashy color, its reminiscent of storm clouds, which to me seems synonymous with the song. Among some very tricky build techniques, it also features a fully detailed engine, spring suspension, opening rear delivery style doors, an accurate looking gas can, Native feathers hanging from the rear view mirror, specially designed suicide doors and a tricky diamond patterned interior reminiscent of diamondback rattlesnakes. Its desert base, of course, seemed like a logical choice and contains a couple of scorpions, a bleached buffalo skull, and even a symbolic harbinger of death perched atop a cactus. This was built for the LUGNuts 2nd Anniversary Challenge that gave us the freedom to build from any challenge of the previous year. Conveniently, this fit within the “Play That Funky Music” build challenge based on songs. So there you have it...a cool new truck to look at and hopefully a newly rediscovered old song for your playlist. Thanks for reading.
Arkøv., ArzLan, Dan.Farley., grape popsicles are good...., and 46 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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Lino M 44 months ago | reply
Tiaelle...the feathers and the buffalo skull was taken right from the Badlands bike I built in your honor so the spirit lives on in this piece. Thanks for the wonderful compliments, my dear.
Ryan Rubino...hey, no problem. I enjoy both teaching and learning.
Chris Tech Geek...thanks!
John P Sullivan...thank you! Was fun to build the landmass
Firas...a great compliment from a great builder. It always thrills me to see your kind words.
AceOBase 43 months ago | reply
this is 2 kool..congrats on your great skill and talent
WesternOutlaw 43 months ago | reply
Love the MOC and the song! In fact, they both go hand-in-hand so well. Driving along a spooky desert, hearing this song. I could imagine the inspiration behind it. I'd like to invite you to check out www.Classic-Town.net. Fantastic creation!
Sedanman [deleted] 43 months ago | reply
Amazing story, Lino - you're right on about the surf rock and I can see how it inspired you. Will definitely have to check that tune out as I'm a big fan of surf. But the truck - I saw the next photo over first and even in thumbnail size I knew what it was. Way cool, man - the body lines and grille deets are amazing - just like real life!
Lino M 43 months ago | reply
aceobase...thanks!
WesternOutlaw...Thank you! I've checked out Classic Town from time to time and am honored to have been blogged there. Thank you for featuring this ride. Man, I'd love to be barreling through Arizona or Nevada, maybe through Route 66 in this vehicle while this song is playing. I can't think of anything more perfect.
Sedan...Thanks! Good to see you 'round these parts. Yes, I'm sure you know the tune. Check it out if you haven't already. The link will take you right there. It was so much fun to do the panel truck shape...just big, blocky and utilitarian...and a little bit rat rod with the primer gray.
Joris Blok 43 months ago | reply
This just made my day
bebfett 43 months ago | reply
You got me hooked on the song its rapidly becoming one of my most listened too.
the crazy monkey 43 months ago | reply
sick!!
Lino M 43 months ago | reply
Joris Blok...glad it made your day. Thanks!
bebfett...isn't it a great song? Glad I could help add it to your play list.
OctoDude...thanks!
a-corb 42 months ago | reply
The cream rises to the top, and this stuff is the cream.
Lino M 42 months ago | reply
a-corb...that reminds me of a song by Harvey Danger that states that only cream and bastards rise. Does that make me a bastard? It probably does.
a-corb 42 months ago | reply
I'm a dairy salesman. Nothin else to read into it. I don't know you well enough yet to call you a bastard.
Doctor Mobius 42 months ago | reply
a-corb - I've known Lino for about a year now, and I can say with absolute certainty that yes he is indeed a bastard, and proud of it!
Lino M 42 months ago | reply
a-corb...Dairy salesman, eh? Then I presume you have a special place in your heart for these:
Doctor Mobius...Bastard?! Just because i told some kid who was annoying me with do you use instructions questions with "No!, there's this thing called talent and apparently I have it and you don't!"...that doesn't make me a bastard. it only makes me truthful.
a-corb 42 months ago | reply
Nice. I wish I could drive one of these around instead of the van they gave me.
a-corb 42 months ago | reply
Oh and you think it's bad when they ask if you used instructions. I've had one kid say he has seen those sets before when pointing at my MOCs in a show. Did not know how to take that, however I did not say anything like you did. lol
Key Me 39 months ago | reply
You Rock Lino!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How long did it take to make?
Lino M 39 months ago | reply
Key Me...Thanks! I think it took about a week to build this one.
abrams tank 30 months ago | reply
my dad loves these old chevies,in fact hes restoring one,my dad said to give you props on this one
Lino M 29 months ago | reply
tanklover62...awesome, thanks. Thank your dad for me.