1959 Chevrolet 3100 Apache Fleetside Deluxe NAPCO Pickup Truck
Chassis no. 3A59J105986
Rare NAPCO 4-Wheel-Drive Model 23 transfer case
235.5ci Thriftmaster inline six-cylinder
Four-speed manual transmission
Top of the line model, fully optioned
Prize-winning, stunning restoration
Featured in 2013 Hemmings Calendar
While well-equipped 4-wheel-drive trucks from major manufacturers are not only commonplace but have been among the best selling vehicles in the US for decades. This hasn't always been the case, there was a time when if GM wanted to sell a go-anywhere utility, they had to turn to an outside supplier to make it a reality. In 1942, NAPCO, the Northwestern Auto Parts Company of Minneapolis, MN, began selling their "Powr-Pak" 4x4 Conversion to owners of GMC and Chevrolet pickups as well as other brands. With their rugged drive technology proven in WWII, by 1956 GM began to offer the NAPCO drive as a regular production option (RPO). However, 1959 was to be the final year of this arrangement, as a redesign of the suspension for 1960 meant that GM would market its own system and the NAPCO equipment was no longer compatible.
There are a few more pictures at the link below. I couldn't get the website to let me enlarge them. Could be due to my very old computer. IDK.
Where and how much?
ReplyDeleteI blew it on a NAPCO equipped Chevy panel truck a decade ago,WILL NOT repeat that mistake!
If I remember correctly the price was $66,700 and it sold in AZ. It was in 2013. It may have sold again since then. I think I saw it on the Mecum's website at a more recent date.
DeleteHmmmmm....60-70 range could buy in heartbeat,hell,me silver has doubled,would not blink,feel though,would go for a lot more now,then again,those of us that love this stuff,is,well,getting older to put it nicely!
DeleteI bought mine in 1972 for $75. It was 2wd and a stepside with a blown head gasket...but it was mine and it was blue.
ReplyDeleteI have a preference for stepsides ... great price for a truck if a blown head gasket was the only real repair to be made.
DeleteThat is a beautiful truck! I want one! If I had it, it would not be in that show room clean I can tell ya... I keep my trucks in good condition, but they are used and pampered.
ReplyDeleteI like it. I like a heavy duty truck. And I can't afford to have a vehicle and not use it so I would have it out there on the road too. We take good care of our RAM but we use it like a truck.
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