Captain Bruce Hays 1959 Chevrolet Apache Pickup

Captain Bruce E. Hays was born December 29, 1965 in Merced, California. He graduated from Capitan (New Mexico) High School in 1984 and joined the U.S. Army. He served as an enlisted soldier as a tanker with the 2nd ACR for eight years, including service in Desert Storm, then attended New Mexico State University. During his college years he was employed at the Army Research Lab at White Sands Missile Range. In 1996 he graduated with honors from NMSU with a degree in soil science. He was a surveyor with the USDA Soil Service and then was offered a commission in the Army National Guard. He was employed full-time with the Army National Guard of Wyoming, and was on active duty at the time of his death. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity at NMSU; the American Legion in Wyoming; the N.R.A.; Yellowstone Baptist Church in Cheyenne Wyoming; and had been very active with the Army National Guard family support programs.

In 2008 Bruce was deployed to Afghanistan.  Before he left, he bought a 1959 Chevy Apache pickup truck as an anniversary gift for his wife. Keeping it a secret from his wife, Bruce paid $17,000 to have the vehicle completed upon his return.

Bruce was killed in action on Sept. 17, 2008. His family and friends later found out that the man Bruce hired to restore the pickup did not complete the work on the vehicle and had left the area. By the time law enforcement caught up with the man, he had already spent all of the money and left the truck in several pieces.

Stevinson Automotive has offered help in the restoration of the 1959 Chevrolet Apache for Captain Bruce Hays’ wife and daughters. 

A special thanks goes out to long-time Fleet Car Carriers Owner Operator Murray Matteo who volunteered to go to Laramie, WY to bring Captain Bruce Hays’ 1959 Apache pickup truck from Laramie to Stevinson Chevrolet, in Lakewood, CO where it will be restored for the Hays family. As always, Murray did a great job. The vehicle is in the middle of a major restoration and doesn’t have a drive train or even a steering wheel! With some help and muscle they got the car on the truck with a tow strap and steered it by literally kicking the tires to turn it! Of course, Murray got it delivered to Stevinson Chevrolet on time and damage-free where it will be the featured attraction for a restoration kickoff party at the dealership.

We are hopeful that Fleet Car can participate again by delivering the finished truck to the Hays family who now live in New Mexico.

Use the following link to check on progress and see how the restoration is coming: http://www.captainhaysapacheproject.com/