Never been on a forum before, so give me a break. I collect oversize pickup trucks of all makes. I joined this forum to share an unusual F350 I found. It's a one ton pickup with the special-order nine foot box. On top of that, it was converted to a Napco 4 x 4 with dual wheels. Bought new by Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. in Western WA. I'm thinking this might be one-of-one... This has got to be the baddest pickup you could buy in 1957. Anybody interested..?

 

Interested? Heck, that truck got a fair amount of conversation here while it was for sale on CL. It's a great truck, and one of two 57 Napco F-350s that I know of. Please understand that it probably wasn't originally a dually. The 9' Express bed trucks were SRW like you have on the front axle. Anyhow, welcome. Stu

Edit - here's the other one. Stu

 

That's an interesting truck. I saw it lists for sale. Any plans for it or is it just going to be parked/on display?

 

Another Western Washington native here! I also collect the big stuff and have seen your napco on CL. I built a '59 F350 9' flareside from a bed I bought in Spokane mounted on a stake bed's chassis that I found in Marysville. Used a '92 F350 dually pickup rear axle, than converted front hubs to match the 8 lug. Then a 220 cu in 6 cyl cummins turbo diesel .I agree with Stu that yours was most likely a srw setup from ford, but perhaps napco delivered it with duals. It's a very cool truck and I would love to see it first hand. Looks like you have an amazing shop. Where are you located if it's ok for me to ask?

 

Thanks guys, The guy I bought the truck from says it was delivered to Weyerhaeuser new as a dually and used that way throughout it's service life. It was then given to the employee as a retirement gift. He's gone now, so I can't fact check it. I know Ford didn't build a dually until much later, but it seems the truck was specified by the purchaser as a DRW. I saw a 59 GMC Napco 1 ton pickup that was delivered as a brush truck that had the same setup.

Anyway, I'm in Olympia and welcome visitors. Currently have 17 running and driving antique trucks, and a couple of cars. I plan a full frame-off on the F350, and already have bought a parts truck. Finished the Dodge D300 a couple years ago. Dan

 

That one looks great! Definitely keep us posted on the F350 built, I can't wait to see the progress.

Maybe someday I'll be able to make it down your way and take a look at the truck.

 

I'm almost in tears, so good to see it go to a loving home! Awesome!

 

Found another 9 footer in Minnesota, and it's on it's way. What's the chance of that, with only 4000 made from 57 to 60..? How many can be left? This will save me years, and thousands. Actually too nice of a truck to part out, but the Napco deserves it.

BTW, I'm an ATHS guy, and will base this restoration on historical accuracy. It will have to be Weyrerhaeuser yellow with their logo on the door. Left the factory on the way to Napco with that fleet color. What other choice do I have..?

 

Back to original is the only way to go. Back to its proud origins. I'd seen your donor Express on CL too.

Your D300 is sure sweet. It's the one on the May/June cover of VT, am I right? Can't be two like that still around. Did you sell it to the guy in Ohio? Stu

Edit - another thought on the Napco. Putting it back stock will present you a problem several others of us face. None of the reproduction tire companies offer bias ply 8-19.5" traction tires to go on your Budd #70740 wheels. Guys with F-250 4wds, Power Giants, Chevy/GMC Napcos, Stude Napcos, and IHC 130/140 series trucks are out of luck if they want to do a period correct restoration. Several of us cruise CL searching for left over NOS Firestone Super All Tractions, Coursers, and Goodyear Hi-Miler Xtra Grips. Each time I go to Iola, and this year at Hershey, I lobbied the Coker and Universal guys to pass the request up their chain of command on the subject. Stu

Edit the edit - looking closer at the Napco those don't look like 19.5s. Your red donor has them though. Stu

 

I saw the thread title and thought: We sure could use one!

 

[QUOTE=truckdog62563;14852406]Back to original is the only way to go. Back to its proud origins. I'd seen your donor Express on CL too.

Your D300 is sure sweet. It's the one on the May/June cover of VT, am I right? Can't be two like that still around. Did you sell it to the guy in Ohio? Stu



I thought it looked familiar, that issue lays out in the garage right now!

Really cool you found another 9 footer.

 

I like what you are thinking, but we are stuck with a knuckle head for two more years!

 

The Dodge was in Vintage Truck. I was worried about posting it here, but nobody's given me any crap. Just wanted to show that I don't over-restore stuff, and am faithful to originality. My goal is to make the Napco look exactly as it did when it was delivered to the original purchaser. Then, and I apologize in advance, I'll have to cram the rairity of it down peoples necks forever... I put up some pictures of my other rare trucks. Dan

 

Nice collection! You are deeply into the bigger light duties and medium duties. The ATHS needs added focus in that range of trucks. I'm impressed that you can spread your collection across several makes and models, and do them all justice. I particularly like your M15. Stu

 

Personally I like any old iron, even a Dodge. Very nice truck and we need more purest in my opinion. Nice work.