This 1959 Chevrolet El Camino makes a generally positive first impression. However, a close look confirms that it requires work to present at its best. It features strong bones and a drivetrain change that many would consider reversing. The seller has listed the El Camino here on eBay in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They set their BIN at $34,000 with the option to make an offer.
Chevrolet introduced the El Camino in 1959 as its answer to the Ford Ranchero. It based its new model on the Biscayne, meaning the coupe utility featured the sculpted panels and “eyebrow” fins that were the Biscayne’s styling hallmarks. This generation remained in production for only two years before the badge went into a four-year hiatus. Our feature vehicle is a first-year example that the seller claims wears its original shade of Blue Frost. First impressions are positive, but we don’t have to delve too deeply to discover it has shortcomings. It appears that someone has applied Bondo to the rear quarter panels using a trowel because the work quality is pretty ordinary. The bubbling is the most visible sign of rust that extends into the drop-offs. Replacing the steel would seem the only alternative, but reproduction lower rear quarters are available. There are also small bubbles in the outer rockers, although the remaining panels and the floors appear sound. I can’t see any trim issues demanding replacement, and the glass is clear.
The first sign of change with this El Camino is revealed when we focus on the interior. It is very clean and tidy, trimmed in White tuck-and-roll upholstery. This is a profound change from the factory Blue cloth and vinyl, and the condition is pretty good. There are no visible stains or other problems, and the carpet is excellent. Interestingly, the vinyl on the door trims is wrinkled, and I think that this might be intentional. If not, some simple stretching could make a difference. The painted surfaces are crisp, while the gauges feature clear lenses and markings. The buyer could elect to purchase a kit to return the interior to its factory form, although the mechanical changes might motivate them to leave it untouched.
The seller confirms that this El Camino started life with a V8 under the hood that was teamed with a three-speed overdrive manual transmission. The V8 has gone the way of the dodo, replaced by a 250ci six. This is where potential buyers must make a choice. The seller states that the 250 purrs like a kitten, and that this is a turnkey classic that runs and drives perfectly. Leaving it untouched would be valid, although many may find the lure of a replacement V8 irresistible. Chevrolet offered the 283 and 348ci variants, and finding a period-correct unit should be possible. However, some might throw caution to the wind with something more powerful and modern. It comes down to a matter of taste versus the desire for originality.
So, what would you do with this 1959 El Camino if it found its way into your workshop? Addressing its rust issues would be a no-brainer, but where to from there? Would you locate the correct drivetrain components to return it to its factory form? Or, would you use the interior retrim as the motivation to commence a custom build? The sticking point for me is the BIN, which is high considering the scope of work required to bring the vehicle back to an acceptable standard. However, I won’t be surprised if someone views it as an automotive “must-have,” deciding to let their wallet do the talking. Do you agree?
From a distance, this looks like a great first year ElCamino. What puzzles me is USUALLY folks deep six the 6 cylinder under the Power Barn and drop a V8 of their chosing, however here, we have quite the opposite I’m wondering if someone had a perfectly good 250 straight six laying around and said Why not? If the original motor was blown, and you need something. And honestly, a six and a 3 speed stick with overdrive will work just fine. Its a good 20 footer and for now, maybe just enjoy it and down the line if the bondo falls out adress it then. But quite honestly, for the price, I think there’s got to be something with less rust in it for that amount of money.
Agree with that. Think maybe at a lower buy in price you could fix the rust and stick another V8 in it and not be upside in it.
Or maybe he wanted the V8 for a better car and yanked it out of the rusty one. Too bad about the cancer, this is my all-time favorite coupe utility – the best year, the best make.
I didn’t even think about that Michelle, that’s a good point. We used to have a neighbor who had a ’60. Red, with a white interior and loved the looks of it, but the tailights on the ’59 ElCamino just looks so unique.
There is no mystery about the engine, the seller is mistaken.
The VIN is posted in the auction and it begins with a G. In 59 on full size Chevies G meant a 6-cylinder ElCamino.
The 1280 on the trim tag was used for both 6-cylinder and V8 ElCamino’s, at least at some (if not all) plants. So you have to check the VIN to know how one was born.
In addition to the comments about rust above, in some of the pictures the entire driver’s quarter looks to have been repainted after the rest of the car, and blended into the back part of the door.
It may have started life with a 6 cylinder, but it didn’t start it with that 6 cylinder. That looks like a 230 or 250, but 59 Chevrolet’s came with the older design 235. Of course the hood does have the “V” on it which should indicate a 283 under the hood?
This poor El Camino has seen a lot of rust and some questionable repairs. Besides the bondo (and/or rust bubbles) in the rockers and all four fenders, the underside shots show considerable rust in the rockers and rear quarters. It does appear the floors may have been replaced. The underneath pictures show quite a bit of strange welding and boxing done in I guess an attempt to repair rust in the frame?
I love El Caminos, especially the 59 and 60, but I wouldn’t touch this one for half the asking price.
As the seller warns ‘Do your research before bidding’!
Just throwing this out there-if you want more performance, why not a Pontiac OHC 6? Just to be different. Given the cost of proper restoration, this might be an option if you just want to enjoy it as is but faster and then pass it on to someone with deeper pockets and a stronger desire for perfect examples. It’s a ’59 Elmo-there’s always gonna be someone who wants it-in any condition-so the trick would be not to get in too deep and hold it for awhile while enjoying it to the max.
I had a friend Jim,who is now deceased…….back in the early 80s he had a nice 63 vette split window…….we,luckily talked him out of his plans to put a 6 cyl in it…….
Lacking interior pics. Why?
In the 80s I bought a 59 El Camino at the Pomona Swap meet for $1500.
It had a SBC and a 4 speed, but started out as a 6 with a 3 speed.It was missing the bottom of the bed and my neighbor told me where there was one at a Pick-A-Part.
A Mexican guy said to me: “Tu Caro es como un avion!”
Your car is like an airplane!
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4lo7WA9WiVM
Wayyy too much money for something that requires soo much work! Lots of other options for similar or less dollars that won’t involve so much panel replacement/possible engine replacement etc. I am thinking this is more in the range of $20-$25k at best but who l own, another person might pay for $$!
I can’t recall a day when I have seen so many loony toons prices as I have seen here today. $34,000???? Not today, not tomorrow, not ever! This may be an iconic car, but that description does not apply to this particular car.
Never is a very long time!
I could be wrong,but I thought that the “V” at the
front of the hood signified a V8.
You are correct. The plain V denotes a 283.
You are correct, a 283 V8.
“V” with crossed flags 348.
Bondo over duct tape is bad. Both of those rear wheel arches are completely gone, and if the one underbody shot is any indication, the inners are gone, too.
A lot of welding & body-shaping is in someone’s future, along with a re-paint.
I’d have to physically inspect the underbody. Could be cheese; could be just cheese-like but the quarter & wheel-arch rot would limit my bidding to four figures.
And no, the door-panel wrinkling cannot be intentional.
I love this model. I hope someone gives it the care and attention it deserves.
The seller has generously lowered their asking price to 32K.
I guess it ain’t going nowheres.