If Chevrolet had built an El Camino pickup in 1957, it might have looked something like this. But that model didn’t come along until 1959. This custom “truck” is described as a flower car, but we would like to see more of the bed area to know how this one-of-a-kind came together. Full of modern touches, this 1957 Chevrolet is in Frankfort, Kentucky, and will be sold with an Alabama bill of sale here on Facebook Marketplace for $17,000. Another “oh, no!” tip from Pnuts!
The El Camino was based on a 2-door station wagon, so it would be logical for this pickup to have started from a Handyman wagon. But the seller says it’s a Bel Air, but there was no Bel Air 2-door wagon in 1957 except for the Nomad, which surely no one would have cut up for this project. Most flower cars for use by funeral homes began life as Cadillacs that were customized by coachbuilders, but none are referenced here. The finish of the rear portion of the roof looks a bit homemade.
This wagon is a restomod, too, with a 350 cubic inch V8 paired with a TH-350 automatic transmission (both from the 1960s or later). The mileage is listed as 96,000, but how many of those are on the revised drivetrain? In any event, we’re told the Chevy runs well, and the seller wouldn’t mind trading it for a gasser, hot rod, or rat rod.
The interior is new and totally 1950s in custom appearance. Other new pieces include the windshield and carburetor. Even though the photos show a lot of nice red paint, we’re told it’s only “decent,” which suggests the transformation into a flower car was done some time ago. If you’re looking for a cool, one-off ’57 Tri-Five Chevy for Cars & Coffee, how does this one work?
I guess its possible that a wrecked Nomad donated some parts to this customization. I agree that this probably wasn’t really a flower car, as Cadillacs and Lincolns seemed to be used for that. However it came together, it’s a pretty unique pickup.
Not only that but they tend to be based on 4 doors and keep opening lower rear doors. I think this was converted in the ’70s-90s by someone who wanted a ’57 El Camino.