The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre 1958 Chevy Apache 3600 NAPCO (LA)

Hello everyone! I’m Scott L from Houma, Louisiana. I’m located about 1 hour from New Orleans and about an hour from the Gulf of Mexico. Down here it’s known as the heart of Cajun Country where we eat really good food. Gumbo, jambalaya and everything in between. Just about everything we cook is served over rice. The majority of our meals start with making a roux which is done by browning all purpose flour in cooking oil. Then we brown onions, greens etc… after that, you can throw any meat, seafood or wild game and it will be delicious.

Below is the story regarding my truck and I wanted to get some opinions before I did any modifications to it.



"Ride is a cross between a tractor and a horse."

I have an Apache 3600 long bed with large back window that is believed to be all original. I’m going to look to see how accurate that is shortly by matching as many numbers I can locate. The motor has approximately 90,0000 miles and previous owner(s) think that’s accurate. I believe it to be totally original. It is basically rust free with a newer paint job. Of course, it has surface rust on the frame and some surface rust on the underside of some body parts (fenders that I want to address but nothing aside from that.
It has the factory installed winch on the truck.

I think the 1958’s came with the NAPCO package. Does anyone know about the NAPCO packages? From what I have read, GM sourced out the 4WD packages from NAPCO during war times before they were able to develop these themselves in later model years. I have yet to find another one like it. If you are knowledgeable of this truck, please advise. If you know the vehicle, and the rarity of it, my questions are before I touch it:

1. Are they really that rare?
2. Will I devalue it if I add some comfort modifications. If you know these 3600,s,they ride like a tractor. I would like to change the springs and shocks (possibly Posies - anyone knowledgeable about Posies or is there something better - that’s about a $2,000 upgrade and a add Vintage Air AC which is another ($2,000) and power steering and brakes. (It’s very hot and humid down here so AC is a must). My intent is to turn it into a comfortable daily driver without ruining the value.
3. Does anyone know the value as is?

This vehicle runs great and everything works. The problem is the ride is a cross between a tractor and a horse.

Thanks in advance for answering these questions before I move forward …

Attached are a couple of pics…