Vintage Chevy Apache Truck - 36 Series FACTORY NAPCO 4X4 Fleetside

1959 Chevrolet Other Pickups Deluxe Additional Info:

Unique 1959 Apache Fleetside FACTORY NAPCO 4X4
Runs and drives great. Very reliable and used weekly. VERY original.
The good:
- Original paint (Other than a few spots which appear to be touched up and do not match perfectly)- FACTORY NAPCO. This was not a dealer added kit like most NAPCO trucks. This has the factory riveted cross member for the transfer case meaning it rolled out of the Chevrolet factory as a 4X4 and was never a 2X4 dealer converted to a 4X4)- 36 Series - 7,300 LB GVW rating- 8 lug 17" rims and tires- PTO (Power Take Off) dual chain driven. Uses engine power to run the winch- Heavy duty Miliary Braden winch. Has special handles as the original owner was handicapped and made levers easy to operate. Original handles for winch come with truck.- Deluxe trim package with stainless trim on cab, bed side spears etc. (Note: Some trim on bed spears missing on right side and I have sourced the trim. Complete trim comes with the truck.- California Truck since new.- Built new at the Oakland, CA factory and lived in Southern California it's entire life. I am the third owner.- Approximately 30K miles on rebuilt engine. Inline 6.- Larger 261 engine with correct "captains bars" on block. Original 235 engine rated to 110 HP. The larger 261 engine is rated to 130 HP.- 4 on the floor transmission- Transfer case with 2WD HIGH, 2WD LOW as well as 4WD HIGH, 4WD LOW works as it should.- Locking WARN hubs- Runs, shifts, stops and drives great. Will go anywhere right now.
The bad:
- Body is straight - no major dents, but it shows lots of signs of being used as a work truck for 60 years, so many small imperfections.- The main things work: lights, horn, brake lights, interior light, etc. but some gauges work and others don't. Radio is original but does not work. - The front of the bed has been removed (bolt on item available new) and the bed sides were slightly cut to accommodate a huge fuel tank that has been removed. (Original owner used the truck for long distance hunting and had a 50 gallon fuel tank in the bed.)
Overall:
This is still a working truck. It has never retired and it has been maintained as such, keeping with it's original vintage style. Appropriate tires are fitted and have approximately 2K miles on them. This truck will go 55 mph or faster if you force it, but it likes about 52 mph. Other than it's relatively low top speed, it drives fantastic. Brakes work well, shifting is precise, and the overall feel is excellent. These Apaches are known to "wander" and have a loose feel to the steering. This truck tracks and steers without wander (please keep in mind it is a 1959 and steering is not as precise as newer vehicles) and rolls down the road nicely. Ride quality is good for an old primitive 4X4 and there is virtually zero body roll in the turns. It's a fun truck to drive in the turns, as it will take them as fast as you dare with it's tall skinny tires.
As an item of interest, this truck was ordered new as a luxury hunting vehicle. The owner suffered from Cerebral Palsy. After he made his kill, he would 4X4 the truck to as close as possible to the animal and then with a long cable, winch it back to the truck. The extended handles on the winch were hand built one off pieces to assist him in winch operation. He owned the truck for approximately 30 years. The second owner used it for firewood work in the local Southern California mountains and he owned it for approximately 25 years. I have owned it for 5 years and while it's work load is much lighter under my ownership, it still gets used to haul lumber, haul tree trimmings, fetch Christmas trees, etc.
This has fantastic patina as is and draws a crowd wherever it goes. It could be restored, and is a good candidate for such due to it's completeness and features. With original paint, no hidden surprises. This is a very honest and authentic truck - warn with time, but not ravaged by time. But the fact that it runs and drives well, can be taken to shows or used as a real truck, restoration has never made sense to me. We've all seen beautifully restored trucks, but there is no other like this one anywhere in the world. It was heavily optioned as new, uniquely upgraded with the PTO driven winch and then simply used for 60 years.
I will assist in shipping for buyers out of the area.
I dearly love this truck and medical bills force its sale, but I have other vehicles for sale as well and if they sell first, I reserve the right to keep this truck and end the auction. Also, the truck is offered for sale locally, so I reserve the right to end the auction early for local sale.
Thank you.
Vintage truck, pick-up, Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Farm truck, Ranch truck, Patina, Rustic, Reliable, Authentic, Original, Workhorse