If you wanted a so-called “gentleman’s pickup” (car-based) in 1957, you’d have to shop at your Ford dealer as the new Ranchero was the only game in town. Chevrolet didn’t follow suit until 1959 when they redesigned their cars for the second time in two years, using the 2-door station wagon as the platform for their new El Camino. Since there was no El Camino in 1957, this pickup is a custom job whose roots are unknown though it’s trimmed like a Bel Air but the only 2-door Bel Air pickups were the snazzy Nomad. And it’s doubtful anyone would use a Nomad as a donor for an El Camino. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, this beautiful example is available here on Hemmings where the asking price is $40,000 OBO. Our thanks to Richard Gomez for this cool tip!
We’re told the seller has at least $45,000 invested in the finished product that you see. While a 283 cubic inch V8 was the top engine offered in 1957, this custom pickup now sports a 350 with a triple carburetor setup and a horsepower rating that’s not estimated for us. It’s paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission, but since the brake pedal is so narrow, we’re thinking the donor car began life with a manual shifter. Disc brakes have replaced drums in the front. We’re told the mileage on this vehicle is 550, so they may have restarted the clock when the restoration/conversion took place.
The list of new stuff on this truck goes on and on and includes the dual exhaust, wheels (Rally), tires, and all the chrome and other bling. Additions would consist of power accessories like the driver’s seat and windows, as well as a tilt steering column. The interior is all new and given the narrow width of the doors, it’s possible the donor for this project was a 4-door sedan or wagon.
While cash would certainly seal the deal here, the seller expresses interest in a trade. His fancy would be tickled by a mid-80s GM luxury car or a classic built after 1955. Complete, functioning vehicles are of interest (i.e. no projects). We wish we knew how this El Camino came to be, but it looks like the work that was done was professional through and through.
That’s called Tri-Power. GM never marketed anything as a six-pack.
I don’t know it sure looks like everything was moved forward & used the tailgate from the Nomad. My question.
Should you put it back?
As a Nomad.
That’s crazy!!!!!!
Should of used the Nomad Longer 2 door with sweep forward window
then it would have been as real as it could get. past that the whoever did do a reasonable Job . except what’s with the stainless not matching through the flowing sweep.??
You can kind of see where the back door was in the stainless side trim the side trim does not look stock bel air and looks like a truck windshield used as the rear window with the wrap around filled in? Pretty nice work not my style but to each their own the stance is unique
It looks as though the wagon rear section on this car was moved forward and the hatch welded shut to make the back of the cab. Bold move painting a Frankensteined roof like that glossy black.
I’ve seen some really nice ’55-57 El Caminos made from Nomads, with the sweeping B pillar already there. Of course, those were mostly done in the ’70s when Nomads were cheap enough to cut up.
In this case I’d rather have had the uncut 4-door wagon.
The doors are too short , looks half done
You can just see the crease where the rear doors were. This was a typical wagon when it was started.
Definitely different worth $40k I don’t know I wish there were pictures of the underside being from Florida I would expect lots of rust
I thing that the roof/”B” pillar treatment looks poorly thought out. For that reason, I’m out.
Might present better with a lighter tint on the windows. That way the pickup rear and quarter windows would stand out and help to define why the ‘B’ pillar looks the way it does. Would also be nice for the chrome drip molding to run all around the back. Nice job!
I believe a 57 210 4door as the tailgate is way to high to be a station wagon, also the chrome from door to quarter do not line up.