1957 Chevy Suburban 4x4

[gcm]

Just curious how rare are chevy suburban 4x4s, now I know i haven't seen one in person and this guy claims to have one sent me the VIN and I'll call the chevy heritage center to confirm it's real. Now he claims it's a factory chevy 4x4...from what little I know 1956 chevy 4x4 was a napco add on that was added by the dealer but 1957 onwards it was a napco system added in factory by chevy, right?

He claims it's the original drive train and it drives and runs so really wanted to know what you guys think.

Thanks

[1project2many]

'58 was the beginning of GM 4X4 trucks. In '57 a 4X4 was made by removing the 2wd front and rear axles and adding a NAPCO conversion kit. This conversion could be done at the factory but more often was performed at the dealership or an outside garage. I have never heard of GM keeping records of the swaps done by GM and they might not even know of swaps done at the dealership. If there are any original papers like the sales sheet or service dept order to install the NAPCO kit then you've struck gold. Otherwise you'll need to learn how to recognize a NAPCO install and you'll need to figure out what details are likely to be missed if someone tried to strip a NAPCO truck to put the parts into another vehicle.

If you'd like to see pictures of 4X4 Suburbans there are a few in the The NAPCO axles were tough but are geared to climb mountains. Today they seem less desirable in a daily driver than using a late model drivetrain. IMO there are a limited number of people who would pay a premium to have a NAPCO truck.

[buggy5872]

The way to tell a line built NAPCO form a dealer installed is the weight tag on the door will be higher (half ton will say 5600) for the extra weight of the NAPCO parts and the cross member holding the transfer case will be riveted to the frame. Late 57 was when you could get a factory built NAPCO.

[OrrieG]

napco4x4.org

[FAKKY]

Don't know how rare but I know how cool

Pics.

[Jemezcrusher]

My neighbor has two of them. Not sure he will ever get around to restoring them. Both been sitting still the 9 years we have lived next to each other

[mongocanfly]

Don't know if its a napco or not but I've hung onto this pic for some time..always thought it was neat..

[gcm]

Thanks for all the input guys!

So I have been in contact with the seller of that factory chevy 4x4 which he claims it's a factory 4x4 and not a napco......Which is a big red flag to me because I have read in more then one place that the napco 4x4 option was dealer installed until 56 after that you could get it as a factory install but still was a napco system. So his into seemed fishy but I don't think I have all the information or knowledge on chevy trucks and still learning. So I asked him for the VIN and model number and he texted me this

"Vin for yur truck is71315614373. Model 1315"

The VIN seems wrong or am I off?

He wants a deposit on the teuck but with all the red flags here I am thinking it's a scam. I asked for pictures of the frame and the diffsand the documentation he claims he can only text and can't use his cell phone for pictures as its too old and has no email....hell my wife's 70 year old grandmother has a smart phone emails and is a huge Facebook user....that was the final straw but before I cut off all ties want to make sure I am not crazy right?

Well I mean I am crazy to most other non car guys because who tracks down weird cars and trucks only to spend years tracking down weird bolts and odd places to restore them and enjoys it ......RIGHT? Well thats my favorite part ha ha ha

[gcm]

Originally Posted by Jemezcrusher

My neighbor has two of them. Not sure he will ever get around to restoring them. Both been sitting still the 9 years we have lived next to each other

Can you ask if he will sell one to me? Please!

[Jemezcrusher]

Originally Posted by gcm

Can you ask if he will sell one to me? Please!

I need to call him about something else and will be happy to see if he is interested in parting with either. He has about 3 projects going and always dragging something else home so I am not sure he will ever get around to the burbs

[HO455]

Here is a good one. I don't know why the guy wouldn't want it to be a Napco. They go for good money.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/5964622425.html

[gcm]

Originally Posted by Jemezcrusher

I need to call him about something else and will be happy to see if he is interested in parting with either. He has about 3 projects going and always dragging something else home so I am not sure he will ever get around to the burbs

Thanks for asking him

[gcm]

My main issue isn't that jeep says it's not napco I mean if it's some one off chevy thing maybe even cooler claims it's the only barn door 57 chevy suburban made in Canada and in 57 they made 12 chevy and not napco 4x4 trucks. Is it possible that all the chevy history guys are wrong maybe but unlikely. Also the VIN isn't matching any examples I looked up on line or any books I have looked it up in. I get a bad taste about the whole thing so going to walk but was more so seeing if I am wrong and passing on a big deal here. I am in school and can't go see it.

[mongocanfly]

You know the ol saying..if it sounds to good to be true-..... I wouldn't touch a thing until you can go lay eyes on it..there's a lot of people out there that think what they have is one of a kind..make up your own mind then..unless you were going for a 100% restored napco I wouldn't be to concerned wether he thinks its all chevy and not napco. .especially if theres no history of it ever existing...if its a good deal to you is what matters and the plans you have for it.

[1project2many]

claims it's the only barn door 57 chevy suburban made in Canada and in 57 they made 12 chevy and not napco 4x4 trucks

When I hear someone giving information this detailed I am always skeptical. The VIN number 71315614373 seems reasonable to a GM of Canada VIN for a Task Force truck.
http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0398.html

7 = 1957
13 = ??? Series No
15 = model no (1315)
6 = six cylinder engine
14373 = Serial number. May be missing a digit.

If he wants to sell it he will get pictures to you.

[Fitz57]

When they avoid talking to you is a big Red flag. Might not speak english. I would not spend a dime till you lay eyes on it.

[mongocanfly]

Here's one on ebay for 58k.http://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-Chevrol...m=282340537858

[mongocanfly]

And another for almost 80k.http://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-Chevrol...m=122325265078

[1project2many]

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5964692636.html

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by gcm

Thanks for all the input guys!

So I have been in contact with the seller of that factory chevy 4x4 which he claims it's a factory 4x4 and not a napco......Which is a big red flag to me because I have read in more then one place that the napco 4x4 option was dealer installed until 56 after that you could get it as a factory install but still was a napco system. So his into seemed fishy but I don't think I have all the information or knowledge on chevy trucks and still learning. So I asked him for the VIN and model number and he texted me this

"Vin for yur truck is71315614373. Model 1315"

The VIN seems wrong or am I off?

He wants a deposit on the teuck but with all the red flags here I am thinking it's a scam. I asked for pictures of the frame and the diffsand the documentation he claims he can only text and can't use his cell phone for pictures as its too old and has no email....hell my wife's 70 year old grandmother has a smart phone emails and is a huge Facebook user....that was the final straw but before I cut off all ties want to make sure I am not crazy right?

Well I mean I am crazy to most other non car guys because who tracks down weird cars and trucks only to spend years tracking down weird bolts and odd places to restore them and enjoys it ......RIGHT? Well thats my favorite part ha ha ha

If he wants to sell it to you he can find someone with a phone that takes pictures and take some current photos. Ask for one with him in the photo so you know they are not someone elses truck. Also find out where he lives and see if you can find someone on this board that can go look at it. If he will not give you photos or where it is located for viewing its a scam. I answered an ad once for a truck in another state, guy was going in the service and needed to sell it, was already in another town but could arrange shipping, etc. I told him my brother lived where he said the truck was, could I get an address to look at it. Never heard from him again.

[gcm]

Thanks for all your input every one. I called him and talked to the guy he is either unable to or unwilling to send me the documents or any additional pictures. He lives far away from me in northern Alberta so he was upset I didn't send a 1000 dollar deposit but seemed like he had loads of guys go up look at it only to offer way bellow what he wanted either way seemed like a scam or at least left a fishy feeling for me so I walked.

[mongocanfly]

Walked away? Good decision..I would have ran..

[mongocanfly]

That one that 1project shared sounds like it would be worth looking at...if only it was on our coast.

[1project2many]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

That one that 1project shared sounds like it would be worth looking at...if only it was on our coast.

I know. When it comes to cars, the right coast gets no love.

[gcm]

I would buy something that's all done but it's to expensive for me right now back at school so need to watch my dollars and cents. I would be all over that finished napco after school or would have been before when I was working full time.