1955 Chevrolet
3200 NAPCO

DESCRIPTION

In the days following World War II, General Motors didn't offer a factory-built four-wheel-drive light truck. Instead, GM relied on a small vendor called NAPCO or Northwestern Auto Parts Company to give its trucks the all-road and off-road capability needed to compete with the likes of Willys products and Dodge Power Wagons. Armed with NAPCO's ingenious Powr-Pak 4x4 conversion kit, a mechanic could transform a two-wheel-drive GM truck into a four-wheel-drive in just a few hours, with no welding and minimal cutting needed. The front drive axle in the kit was fitted with tubes modified for constant velocity joints, thus allowing the wheels to steer. The transfer case was a divorced unit, driven via a shaft off the transmission.

The example presented here is a second-series truck with the new-for-1955 styling — and a very rare NAPCO 4×4 conversion. This unique pick up has undergone a painstaking multi-year, frame-off restoration leaving no nut, bolt or washer untouched. Power is supplied by a new fuel injected GM Performance 350ci crate motor mated to a 4-speed overdrive 700R4 automatic. Custom exhaust has been fitted w/Magnaflow mufflers & coated Hedman Headers. All relevant driver info is displayed on a new Dakota Digital gauge pack and there's a Vintage Air 134a A/C system to keep everything cool. Entertainment is provided by a Retro Classic Bluetooth sound system fitted w/a Skydrive GPS speedo feature and there's a tilt steering column for maximum comfort.

The suspension & differentials have been rebuilt w/new shocks and and springs all around. The body panels, bumpers and chrome are all excellent and the bed has been upgraded w/wood and new paint.

This is a rare opportunity for the discerning collector to acquire a unique truck that's fully sorted at a fraction of its restoration cost.