Buyers today face a bewildering array of choices when they enter a dealership to buy a new vehicle. From paint colors to trim materials and luxury options, it is possible to perfectly tailor their new purchase to their needs and tastes. The thought of being unable to purchase a four-wheel-drive Pickup off the showroom floor is unthinkable, but it was once the case. There were alternatives available, and this 1957 Chevrolet NAPCO 4×4 Pickup demonstrates lateral thinking. It is claimed to have once belonged to Tim Allen, star of the wildly successful sitcom Home Improvements. Whether that adds to its value is debatable, but buyers have demonstrated a liking for these classics. The NAPCO is listed here on Craigslist in Walteria, California. The seller set their price at $45,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder numskal for spotting this beauty.

Chevrolet released its new Task Force commercial range in mid-1955, replacing the Advance Design that had served well since 1947. It remained on sale until 1959, undergoing evolutionary updates during its production run. The first owner ordered this Pickup in Ocean Green, and it appears to retain most of its original paint. The overall impression is positive, and preserving this classic as a survivor could be viable. However, you can’t help but think how it would “pop” if returned to its former glory. There is evidence that it has suffered the typical rust issues in the lower cab corners and fenders. This doesn’t rate a mention in the listing. However, even if repairs aren’t up to the buyer’s standard, reproduction steel patches to return these areas to a factory-fresh state are available and affordable. The bright trim and glass are in good order, and the bed timber is solid. The seller floats the notion that this Pickup once belonged to Tim Allen. They don’t mention verifying evidence, and I always question the impact such claims have on value. I feel that a vehicle must be readily identifiable with that person to command a premium. A good example is a Starlight Black Pontiac Trans Am that once belonged to Burt Reynolds. It sold recently for considerably more than the market average because a Black Trans Am will be forever associated with the man and one of his most famous movie roles. I can find no evidence of this Pickup ever featuring in Home Improvements, so I believe the impact on the value is negligible to anyone but a rabid Tim Allen fan.

This Pickup’s interior presents surprisingly well for its age and is undoubtedly serviceable in its current form. The Gray seatcover is nearly perfect, with no signs of physical wear or damage. The rubber floormat looks virtually new, and the wheel is crack-free. The painted surfaces are worn, and some bright trim pieces show bubbling, but these imperfections are part of the interior’s character. One attraction of these older Pickups is that interior restorations are surprisingly easy. Dismantling everything to refresh the paint can occur in a home workshop, and I would be tempted to follow that path. This Chevy would turn heads with the interior perfect and the exterior preserved as-is. The heater should ensure occupants remain toasty on cold days, and the dash houses a factory AM radio.

It is disappointing that the seller supplies no engine photos or information on what is hiding under the hood of this Pickup. History suggests it should be the company’s 235.5ci “Thriftmaster” six, and it is from there that things become interesting. NAPCO stands for Northwest Auto Parts Company, an organization that called Minneapolis, Minnesota, home. It performed four-wheel-drive upgrades to various military vehicles during World War II, using the experience gained to develop and sell civilian upgrades in the post-war years. Owners could purchase a kit that they could install themselves in a few hours. The situation evolved in 1956 when Chevrolet would supply and install the conversion as RPO 690. However, buyers paid dearly for the privilege, with the NAPCO option adding over 60% to the Pickup’s sticker price. The seller doesn’t state whether the system in this 3100 is a factory or DIY installation, although indications are it is the former. It features the dual-range transfer case that gives these vehicles astonishing off-road abilities. The seller states it starts easily, suggesting it is a turnkey proposition that can provide its new owner with immediate classic motoring enjoyment.

This 1957 Chevrolet NAPCO 4×4 Pickup is undeniably cool but isn’t cheap. I believe we can leave the claimed celebrity ownership history out of the equation because it will probably have little impact on the value. If you believe NADA and Hagerty, the seller’s price is in the ballpark. However, if you examine recent sales results, it seems optimistic. The price could be why it has been on the market for twenty-three days. Do you agree, or do you think the seller is being realistic? Over to you.