When you look at this 1960 Chevrolet El Camino, you can get some idea of where the previous owner was headed with it as a project car. The work stalled fairly early in proceedings, so the next owner might either choose to continue down the same path, or they might have another vision entirely for this great old classic. The possibilities would seem to be endless, and I have to say a huge thank you to Barn Finder local_sheriff for referring the El Camino through to us. It is located in Seattle, Washington, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The asking price for the Chevy has been set at $6,900.
The owner is fairly candid about the fact that the Cascade Green paint that graces the El Camino’s flanks is not original, with the vehicle receiving an amateur repaint at some point in the past. There is evidence of overspray from this visible in a few areas around the vehicle, suggesting that the person who performed the work may not have had a working knowledge of masking techniques. The panels themselves appear to be nice and straight, with no visible rust of obvious major problems. There is some rust present in the bed, and this will need patching at the very least. However, it is possible to find a replacement bed floor for around $500, so if the next owner is seeking perfection, then that might be the best alternative to consider. There is also some pretty heavy scaling on the underside of the floors, and these have been patched at some point. A closer inspection might reveal that there is a fair chance that these could be restored, although if a high-grade finish is required, then spending $800 for a full floor-pan might be a decent investment. The existing trim and chrome appear to be in good condition. There are a few pieces missing, but as with so many components for the ’60 El Camino, finding parts shouldn’t be difficult. Another positive is the fact that all of the glass, including the tinted windshield, is free of any obvious flaws or problems.
It isn’t clear what used to call the engine bay home, but what we find now is a 350ci V8 which is bolted to a 2-speed Powerglide transmission. It isn’t clear what sort of condition the engine is in, but if appearances count for anything, it does look quite encouraging. Having said that, apart from the carburetor, air cleaner, and the radiator, all of the external pieces and components are missing. This includes items like the alternator and all of the wiring. Once again, parts are pretty easy to source, and the upside of having to replace the wiring harness is that the next owner shouldn’t find themselves frustrated further down the track by electrical gremlins caused by old wiring or connectors that have failed.
The interior will require a full restoration or refurbishment, but just what form this eventually takes will be dependent on what the next owner’s vision is for the car. All of the interior painted surfaces will require refinishing, and while the cover on the seat is generally pretty good, I have managed to spot one tear in it on the driver’s side. The door trims are missing, while it isn’t clear what sort of condition the headliner is in. Once again, the next owner might be seeking to produce something pretty special. Basic trim kits can be found for around $1,600, but I found one that really took my fancy. This included everything from the seat covers through to the door trims, carpet, kick panels, headliner, or in other words, the works. It is finished in Impala materials and patterns, and while it isn’t cheap at $2,600, the look is simply to die for.
There is no question that the next owner could have an absolute field day with this 1960 El Camino, and they could pour bucketloads of cash into it. I’ve outlined some possible options in this article, and while some of these haven’t been cheap, I can hear a few of you asking whether it is really worth it. In my own humble opinion, I really think that it is. While the 1960 El Camino doesn’t quite command the sorts of values as the ’59, you will still be hard-pressed to find a reasonable example for under $26,000 today. It looks like the vast majority of the work required to return this car to its best could potentially be tackled in a home workshop. Every penny that an owner can save on labor will make it easier to justify spending cash on other areas of the project. To me, that would seem to make it well worth the effort and expenditure.
This Elky has tons of potential and to me, the asking price is fair. .
My verdict,
“I LIKE IT”
Looks neat for sure. I’d be covering up all dem holes on the engine, if it’s going to sit for a while tho.
That amateur paint job is hiding a LOT of sins in the form of body filler. Car has a lot of rust in the normal places so the body did too. CA car, be careful with that comment.
Whoever put the paint job on this car really wasted their money. They did it WAY TOO soon in the resto process. Interior paint work on dash should have been completed first or with the paint job.
I am a huge fan of the 59 having owned one and looking for another. Never liked the 60. A local collector is a HUGE fan of the 60’s and HATES the 59’s. I think that is the story of the 59 & 60 El Caminos.
Price is not out of control on this one BUT there is a LOT more rust and rot problems hidden behind that paint. Just saying. If you don’t care, good luck. That car will be popping and bleeding rust sooner than later.
Agreed. The reason it was painted was to “hide” all the bondo work. This is another reason it’s best to consider an unrestored car, so you can easily evaluate the condition.
It looks like they took a paint sample from a 1970’s kitchen appliance and hid the rot with it.
This thing is a pig!! There’s rust holes in front of the tailgate on the floor!! There’s a hole in the floor underneath the car that has a piece of metal covering it!! The over spray on the dash shows of poor quality and a don’t care attitude!! Right next to that over spray you can see rust painted over!! Good luck but this car needs to be stripped to bare metal and assessed!! Not for the faint of heart or budget build!!!
348 4-speed comin’ up! This ol’ gal reminds me of the one I bought off a friend of Mom’s in 1971. Only difference
was that my truck ran and drove. It did indeed have a 348 4-speed in it. Sure, I
got in over my head when it came to fixing all that rust in the floors and bed
so that it would pass inspection by the
DOT in Illinois back then. After I got all
that stuff fixed, I used it to carry band
equipment and do some hauling for our
church. Then one day, a kid I went to
school with wanted to buy it so I sold it
to him for $1,000. Three months later, I
saw it parked in the parking lot at school.
The kid I sold to painted it butter yellow
and added mag rims, a black interior, and
dual exhaust to it. Gotta say it sure looked sharp and the 348 really sounded sweet too. Well, that was 50 years ago
but I still tell that story to Young folks
who want to know what it was like to fix
up a car back then Thanks for the story
and the great memories.
I only hope whoever finishes this, leaves it in a stock appearance. How often do you see a stock 1960 El Camino? What a find!
I have a restored ’60… a wonderful example of 50’s GM styling/design/build.
.
Our restorer used a Dodge Dakota mid-size pickup bed floor that is reasonably close to the original’s contours.
That eliminated the seams and bolts of the “smuggler’s box” covering the rear seat footwells from the two-door wagon that shares this floorpan. So far, no one has noticed the substitution.
These are nice trucks when done right. This one does need quite a bit of work, and the engine is something I would really be concerned about, it’s quite easy to clean and paint the exterior of an engine without doing anything to the inside.
Good luck to everyone concerned.
God bless America
In high school, there was a guy that had a white 60 El Camino with a 348 and a 4 speed. He once took me for a ride. He gave it everything he had. I noticed we were coming up to a stop sign. I guess he did too, but he didn’t back off. Soon stops signs were flying by like telephone poles. I guess I’m lucky to be here to tell the tale.
I like both the 59 and 60. As much as 348 would be cool the 350 would be the better performer. That is one less expense if it is any good.
Did 350’s come with the oil fill tube on the intake?
I know 283’s and 327’s did.
Don’t think 350s ever did, but not 100% sure. However unless you already know most aftermarket intakes can be drilled to accept the old style fill tube. Did it with the intake on my 327 to produce the right period look and grinded off the Edelbrock script
I did the same on a 283.
Like I said before – these things are coming out of the wood work….or barn.
Love those chrome widened wheels. Might clean up well with soapy steel wool. Like good ones better than mags.
I like the 59 and 60 El Camins a good it. Like the 57-58 and 59 El Ranchos. The shape this one LOOKS to be in. Could be a world of difference in seeing it in person. I wonder why they didn,t take any pictures of under the vehicle? I was gonna buy a really shape looking 65 Mustang one time. The guy told me countless lies. The when I looked under it–All the floor and some of the sub frame was rusted out. He was asking $3,500. I told him I would not give him $35 for it. As soon as I tried to winch it out of his garage it would probable break in too. He got mad,but better him then me. I hoped this one IS NOT in the shape the mustang was in.Good luck who ever buys it. Don,t buy— buy looks alone.Check it out in person or have some check it out for you.
Just today I was down at the post office and a guy had a ’60 2 door post sedan and what looked like 4 on the floor. It was white and really sano…chrome wheels.and a mean low rumble. Had Arizona plates so dont know whether the car was local. I should have stopped and shot the breeze but he was older and wearing camo pants. Didnt want him going all old wild west on me! :)
At the end of the day this is a fairly rare vehicle at a decent price.I am not about bashing the person for the quality of work done to it.
Not cool!!
We should all be a bit sensitive to a persons car project because we all have been there…
At least many of us.