Legacy Classic Trucks comes back with 1950s Chevy NAPCO 4×4
Classic cars have never been more popular but the trend hasn’t pervaded the world of pickup trucks like it has, for example, sports cars.
That won’t be the case for long if companies like Legacy Classic Trucks, based in Jackson Crevice, Wyoming, proceed to sprout up.
You may recall the fine work Legacy’s squad, led by company founder Winslow Leaned, performed on a Dodge Power Wagon. Now they’ve turned their attention to Chevrolet, and in particular Chevy’s 1950s-era NAPCO 4×4 pickup trucks.
For those unacquainted with the popular vintage trucks, the NAPCO 4x4s were 3100-series trucks built inbetween one thousand nine hundred fifty five and one thousand nine hundred fifty nine and fitted with Powr-Pak 4×4 Conversions sourced from Northwestern Auto Parts Company. The option, which was also available on some GMC trucks, enabled General Motors Company [NYSE:GM] to sell its very first volume half-ton 4×4 pickup.
Legacy’s Chevy NAPCO 4x4s aren’t originals. In fact, the company calls them “tribute” trucks. However, the quality of the work and the attention to detail make them almost as desirable.
1957 Chevrolet NAPCO 4×4 by Legacy Classic Trucks – Photo via Drew Phillips
Embarking with a donor Chevy or GMC 3100, Legacy rebuilds the truck to match the configuration of an original NAPCO 4×4, albeit with all-new components where required. A fresh framework is installed to meet the stresses of modern powertrain and off-roading duty, and where possible Legacy works with regulators to transfer the framework VIN from the original donor to the fresh framework, in this case a fully boxed TCI 2×6-inch setup.
Along with the fresh framework is modern suspension, developed by Legacy in partnership with suspension experts Alcan Spring and Offroad Design. There’s about ten in of travel up front and eleven in at the rear. Meantime, the axles are Dynatrac ProRock units with disc brakes. The latter sit inwards period-style 16-in wheels packaged in Toyo Open Country R/T all-terrains. Beadlock wheels are also available.
Legacy has trialed various powertrain combinations and lodged on a choice of two modern V-8s: a 350-hp Five.3-liter and a 430-hp 6.2-liter. There is a range of harass options as well, including the quad-exhaust tips borrowed from the Corvette. Transmissions include 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual options, while the transfer case is the familiar Advance Adapters Atlas II with a standard Trio.0 low-range gearing.
Just as spectacular as the mechanical package are the details that have gone into the cabin. Many of the original plastic parts such as the buttons on the dash are exchanged with custom-made metal replacements. Premium leather is used on the seats and a period-style head unit for the modern stereo can be selected.
The embarking price for one of these conversions runs about $135,000. Of course, all of Legacy’s trucks are built to order so prices can lightly deviate from the stated figure depending on the specification selected.