59 Napco LWB

[dennislbrooks]

Anyone have one of these trucks. Going to a sale Saturday and there is one partially torn down - unrestored and previously a brush fire truck --- has spotlights on top. Looks like all is there including good glass still in truck. There are 3 -- 292 sixes but not in the 59 -- may be a 283 --do not know yet.

I have not looked yet for the availabilty of parts for it yet --probably has closed knuckles for sure.

Also a 57 short step and a 56 panel ---- no doors on panel and is outside --- not sure it is worth much til I get there. All 3 have titles.

[G&R's57GMC]

I've got a '57 GMC 100 L.B. with Factory installed NAPCO

[OrrieG]

G&R think I asked before but is the white on yours Bombay White? Thanks

[G&R's57GMC]

Orrie , It could be, i didn't paint it. It's more like a cream but not so much.

A friend of mine has a '55 Cameo that is Bombay Ivory that has bit of a greenish tinge to it.

In '56 the Cameo used the passenger car white .

The trucks used the India Ivory or something like it on the bumpers and grill.
Ford had a Wimbeldton white that is very close.

The passenger cars used an India Ivory, its more cream like.

[dennislbrooks]

Nice truck for sure and I like the color. I get some conflicting info. Was 57 the last year for NAPCO and then GM went to their own 4wd's in 58 or was it 60 GM started?

Will look at the truck tomorrow and will try to decipher the vin.

[jjzepplin]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

I've got a '57 GMC 100 L.B. with Factory installed NAPCO

OMYGOSH That is a VERY nice truck!

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Orrie , It could be, i didn't paint it. It's more like a cream but not so much.

A friend of mine has a '55 Cameo that is Bombay Ivory that has bit of a greenish tinge to it.

In '56 the Cameo used the passenger car white .

The trucks used the India Ivory or something like it on the bumpers and grill.
Ford had a Wimbeldton white that is very close.

The passenger cars used an India Ivory, its more cream like.

Thanks, am going to paint my bumpers and grille white, but do not want a bright white. Hoping the paint store has a classic single stage that will work.

[franken]

Great truck! Is that a 348?
If I recall, GM started making factory 4x4s in 1960. Before that they were NAPCO via the dealer.

[mphudak]

NAPCO became a factory option in 56, prior to that they were available as a conversion (I had always thought it was 55.2 that the were, but according to NAPCO history it was 56). In 60 the 4wd was all GM and did not use any NAPCO parts.

http://www.napco4x4.org/history.htm

[1project2many]

G&R think I asked before but is the white on yours Bombay White? Thanks

FYI, when building my truck I looked at color chips back to '60. Bombay Ivory always showed up as always a fairly bright white.

[OrrieG]

Here is what the spec manual shows. I always thought the "Pure White" was the brighter one and that the Ivory was a little muted like an Antique white used for furniture.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...to/59tld28.htm

[dennislbrooks]

Went to the estate auction and I did not prepare enough prior. Took trailer with me. Near all went cheap in my opinion. Prior to auction they were offered $15K for all motor vehicles and parts --- I know it all went for less than $8K.

Some of this stuff looks like it came from government agencies - park service, fire dept. All but 1 vehicle had good titles.

59 GMC- 2wd short step - 270 eng I think.

59 Chevy 3/4 ton NAPCO 4wd - cab was complete and great shape good glass - had chrome mouldings to and waist of cab --CST?-- had all running gear, no bed, no doghouse or motor --I should have bought it.

57 chevy panel -- no doghouse or engine but decent for restoral

57 panel --most all there but near nothing --sold for $25 - no title

57 chevy swb ---- cab and frame --- good shape - no glass

Other stuff --55-59 chevy fenders rear and front, hoods, transmissions id mouldings, bumpers, glass, carbs, 2 NAPCO 1/2 ton front axles, repair sections, etc.

So I bought one I knew little about --- was combing the internet for the right pieces to bid on --- 59 GMC short step --looks like a park truck --dark green orig paint, 270 eng, 3 speed on column - dash is complete. Here's what I got with it -many new cab repair sections. It needs many. Good front glass, 2 front heavy duty white bumpers, good hood with white emblem, 2 nice front fenders $125 a piece, good engine shroud with radiator support --, good bed with a real nice tailgate $75 , near new skinny tires and oem rims. What I did not get is a front grill - had 2 but 59 chevy grills but not a GMC at auction and I also need 2 doors and a seat. There were doors and seat there but had a brain fart.

Steps, cab corners, partial door pillars all need replaced

[dennislbrooks]

some pics

[dennislbrooks]

http://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=92049

Just found out that the 59 I bought is a fleet option with the funky grill and heavy duty bumpers. I have the grill and the single headlight plates and it has a chevy type dash with GMC on the dash glass.

The link above is not it but that is what it is.

[OrrieG]

Good news is it can be converted to regular looking 59 if you want. The Fleet Options parts have value, especially the dash bezel glass, because they are not reproduced. Or keep it as is for a great conversation piece at shows. Other things you will notice is radio, dome light and ashtray delete, GMC hood and no fender trim.

[dennislbrooks]

OrrieG, I will probably go that route. I have 2 good fenders, quad headilght buckets and quad headlight trim. I got a good ms420 for $10 that I will probaly use. The 270 may be locked up initialy cannot turn it with a breaker bar or flywheel. Engine may change.

Need to find a non fleet grill and a couple of doors. Will look at the Springfield swap meet.

The front bumper is hd --about 3/16" formed. Have 2 of them. The rear probably had a step bumper.