As popular as four-wheel-drive pickups are these days, it’s hard to believe that truck manufacturers haven’t always offered 4WD from the factory. Luckily, there were aftermarket companies back in the day, such as NAPCO (Northwestern Auto Parts Company), that could give them that capability. Our Pick of the Day benefited from such a conversion. This 1956 GMC 100 NAPCO 4X4 is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Branson, Missouri.
Founded in Minnesota in 1918, NAPCO provided mechanical components to the Big Three in World War II. According to Tread magazine, “During 1942 NAPCO began building Four Wheel Drive assemblies to be fitted to Ford, GM, Chevy and Studebaker vehicles that were being shipped to Europe and the Pacific. From 1942 to 1956, Chevy and GM trucks could be ordered by the government and civilians with a NAPCO Power-Pak kit that could be installed later, for $995.”
NAPCO trucks were built for demanding work and rough conditions, so they were typically beaten up on a daily basis—which isn’t conducive to a long life. Luckily, someone restored this 1956 Blue Chip truck, refinishing it in the charming combination of red with a white roof and white B-pillars/rear window surround as well as white bumpers. There are five white 16-inch wheels, including an external spare mounted on the driver side. Putting the spare on the outside of the bed not only makes this truck look cooler, but it also leaves more space to carry stuff on the bed’s tan wood planks.
This GMC was built to work, which means the cabin is all-business. The bench seat is covered in black vinyl. There’s no need to worry about staining the carpet because there is none—just black rubber. However, there is power steering, which will help on both trails and roads. There’s also a diagram on the driver’s sun visor that shows you how to use the transfer case to engage “all wheel drive.”
The 248ci I6 was rebuilt and coated in fresh gray paint. A four-speed manual helps it deliver power to the rear end or—when the going gets tough—both axles.
This 1956 GMC 100 NAPCO 4X4 is a handsome rig from an interesting spot on the timeline of American trucks. You can buy it for $48,000 (OBO) and write the next chapter in its history . . . in mud.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
