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Northwestern Auto Parts Company or NAPCO was known for their four wheel drive conversions back in the forties and fifties. They knew what they were doing and GM even offered their Power-Pak as a factory installed option. This 1955 GMC Surburban is fitted with the setup and is even cooler because it was originally used as a Forest Service vehicle up in the lake town of McCall, Idaho. It needs some work, but looks like a great project. Find it here on eBay where bidding ends tomorrow.
All NAPCO vehicles look cool including this one.
That is so cool. Deserves to be restored.
WOW! Now this is really cool. A GMC Suburban w/ a napco 4wd and factory automatic there couldn’t have been many of these made and I’m sure very few survived. I really like that big GMC chrome nose, just more wow factor. If restored you would definetly have the only one at a car or truck show.
Engine isn’t correct.. GMC’s used Pontiac motors, not Chevy
What I meant to say was: GMC used the Pontiac V8 engine, i.e. their 287-cubic-inch (4.7 L) motor for 1955. The 287 was an “oversquare” engine with a bore of 3.75 in (95 mm) and a stroke of 3.25 in (83 mm), for a total displacement of 287.2 cu in (4,706 cc). Here’s a photo of a similar ’55 in its ‘Stock’ format, quite the difference.
I say strip a 2008 or 9 escalade and use everything. 6.2 LS 400 HP, leather and everything.
Blasfeamer, yes but would it get more use as an original no power, no A/C basic truck, or a nice substitute for a new Caddy?
Don’t hate me, just built something you will drive. To many of these get stripped for paint and are left outside, rusting while waiting for the to do list to catch up.
I’m with ya, however I would go the turbo diesel route. I dig those swivel buckets