When Joel Higuera of Santa Rosa, California, found this 1958 Chevy Apache 3600 NAPCO 4×4, it had been stationary beneath an oak tree for nearly two decades. Recognizing the rarity of the 3/4-ton NAPCO-equipped Apache and the company’s pivotal role in early factory-authorized 4×4 conversions, Joel knew the truck was worth preserving. What followed was a project that included some surprises along the way and ultimately culminated in the incredible truck you see here.

1958 Chevy Apache NAPCO 4×4 Garage Restoration

In 2020, Joel Higuera purchased the truck from the son of the original owner. The son had inherited the truck, and it appears to have always been registered in California.

After purchasing it, Joel had the truck towed to a friend’s shop, where he installed a new battery, added fresh gasoline, and bled the brakes. Surprisingly, the engine started, idled, and ran correctly. In fact, Joel was able to drive the truck home. He drove the truck for a couple of months while he formulated a plan for it. Ultimately, he decided to complete what he calls a “partial restoration.” He chose this approach for two reasons: his limited workshop space and his desire to keep the financial outlay within reason.

Joel spent about a year restoring the truck in his residential garage. Along the way, parts overflowed into his living room, and the truck became a family project. For example, his oldest son helped with sandblasting.

Solid Body, Some Surprises

During the restoration of the 1958 Chevy Apache 3600 NAPCO 4×4, most of the body was removed, including the bed, doors, hood, and grille. Additionally, the cab was gutted, and the fuel tank and all the glass were removed. Amazingly, the truck’s sheetmetal was in overall good shape—even the factory fuel tank was reusable. He only needed to install patch panels at the bottom of each door to repair corrosion.

Before painting the truck in its factory Oriental Green and Bombay Ivory finishes, Joel replaced the worn wood bed floor with walnut planks. He notes that from the factory, the planks were inconsistent in width, which made the process challenging. Each new plank received six coats of clearcoat, and new metal strips were installed between them. The bed also received all new hardware and fresh rubber body mounts.

While gutting the interior, Joel found a canvas pouch containing old maps and tools. In a nod to the truck’s history, he returned the pouch to its original location during reassembly. At some point in the truck’s life, an aftermarket auxiliary fuel tank had been installed under the cab, but Joel chose to remove it.

Thriftmaster I6, SM465, Spicer 23, And More

The truck is powered by the factory Thriftmaster 235 cubic-inch inline-six engine with a single-barrel carburetor. Its originality continues with the factory radiator and starter. Power is sent through a factory SM420 four-speed manual transmission, while a divorced Spicer 23 two-speed transfer case splits power to the axles. Up front is a NAPCO-branded axle with Dualmatic manual locking hubs, and out back is an Eaton HO52. Both are fitted with 5.14:1 gearing.

The leaf-spring suspension remains stock, as does the manual steering.

“High-Clearance” Wheels

When Joel Higuera purchased the truck, it had aftermarket wheels. He sourced a set of factory-original Kelsey-Hayes 19.5-inch “high-clearance” steel wheels and mounted them with 33.5-inch-diameter Goodyear G171 radial tires. He also purchased four center caps and had the front pair modified to fit over the manual locking hubs.

1958 Chevy Apache NAPCO 4×4: The Bottom Line

Joel scored big when he found this 1958 Chevy Apache 3600 NAPCO 4×4, and he restored it right.

Photos: Joe Wilson / Bulldog Media © 2025