Today, four-wheel drive pickups have evolved from serious work vehicle into daily drivers for many motorists but that was not so much the case in the middle 1950’s. In fact, even manufacturers like General Motors had to source parts and components from outside suppliers to provide four-wheel drive trucks.
GM chose to partner with Northwest Auto Parts Company (NAPCO), a manufacturer founded in 1918 in Minneapolis, MN to supply them with the parts needed to make their half-ton and three-quarter ton trucks capable of having power at each corner. While not a hugely popular option, a person ordering a new Chevrolet or GMC pickup staring in the 1955 second series through the 1959 model year could have the NAPCO conversion installed at the factory and pick it up at their local dealer. It’s estimated that approximately 2,000 such trucks were built during that time period.
General Motors’ relationship with NAPCO ended with the 1960 model year, when the newly designed truck incorporated independent front suspension which was not compatible with NAPCO components. Instead, GM chose to manufacture the needed parts in-house, a move which caused serious financial difficulties for the Minnesota based company.
This Chevrolet 3600 is an excellent example of a NAPCO-equipped truck. Power comes from a small-block Chevrolet V8 backed with a four-speed manual transmission. Keeping true to the utilitarian nature of the truck, the vehicle was restored as it would have been available in 1956 when purchased new. The wood bed floor has been stained to contract nicely with the brilliant yellow paint.
This truck is evidence of why NAPCO vehicles have been held in high regard by collectors and enthusiasts for decades and command top prices when they come up for sale today. Evergreen Digital Showroom offers this 1956 Chevrolet 3600 NAPCO at a price of $59,900 USD. Pre-purchase inspection is both advised and encouraged. Transportation for this truck can be arranged at buyer’s expense or we will gladly work with the shipper of buyer’s choice. For additional information or to make an offer call sales manager Steve Russell at 417-532-8000.
NOTICE
Because of the number of vehicles we represent we cannot drive every vehicle for long distances. These vehicles have been part of static displays for long periods of time, in some cases for decades, and are subject to the flaws and imperfections consistent with that. While we do our best to disclose all issues we known about a vehicle in our advertising, these are old cars and something that has always worked in the past might not function properly today. Please check the requirements of your state regarding the licensing and registration of classic vehicles and make sure the vehicle you are looking at meets those if applicable. Unless otherwise noted, all vehicles represented by Evergreen Digital Showroom possess a clean (non-branded) title which will be provided the new buyer when purchase funds clear our financial institution. Virtually all our vehicles are sold as mileage exempt due to their age. We do not warranty any vehicle, nor any part of the vehicle including air conditioning systems, brake systems, electrical systems and gauges, fuel systems, accessories or powertrain components.
These are old vehicles and it is very common for them to require certain maintenance and upkeep for them to be operational. In many cases issues with leaks may develop when being driven after a long period of not being used. This is common, as classic cars at some point will leak fluids. For this reason, we do not encourage buyers to attempt driving their purchase home as we cannot guarantee functional reliability of these vehicles. We strongly encourage prospective buyers to be sure they are comfortable with these issues before purchasing a classic car.
Descriptions of vehicles represented by Evergreen Digital Showroom are intended to be informational in nature and do not in any way constitute any sort of warranty, expressed or implied. Again, these vehicles are presented “as-is, where-is” without guarantee or warranty. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1981 will likely not be included in the databases of companies such as CarFax and AutoCheck that provide vehicle history information to consumers. If you have specific questions regarding a vehicle we urge you to contact us at 417-532-8000.
