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.
Whatever the story, it’s a pretty cool build. I would have sprung for chrome valve covers and headers, wouldn’t you?
I would have gone for aluminum valve covers, but I’d keep the Ram’s Horn exhaust manifolds and put some Manifold Dressing on them.
Don’t see it on Facebook anymore???
Those aren’t ‘rams horn’ manifolds, rams horn manifolds are arched up above the spark plugs, the manifolds shown here go under the spark plugs.
I have a fascination with hearses and flower cars. I have done some serious reading on the subject and own several books. Coach builders, Miller-Meteor, Superior and Scoville, S&S, and others would order a chassis from a car manufacturer. General Motors would send a commercial chassis Cadillac frame with wheels, engine, electrical, dashboard and front clip to the coach builder and they would then fashion a hearse or flower car body on that. Although the body was usually made out of steel, the roof portion was usually fiberglass, at least on the 70s on up.
As noted, most hearse and flower cars are Cadillacs and Lincolns, but, in the 1940s, 1950s and even 1960s, there were Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Packard, Chrysler, Dodge and other makes made into professional cars (as they are sometimes referred to) by coach builders. In the 50s, there were even some two door hearse. I remember seeing a early 50s Packard two door hearse, although most hearse are four door. Even flower cars are four door, although they LOOK like two door.
Flower cars tend to have an aluminum deck that raises and lowers depending on the amount of flowers needing transport to the cemetery.
Many “pickup” conversions we see on BF are “shade tree mechanic” builds and definitely NOT real flower cars. This Chevy falls into the STM territory. It doesn’t look like a bad conversion, and the builder should be proud of his work, but it’s just a pickup conversion. A predecessor to the El Camino.
Ive stated before with other STM conversions it drives me nuts people refer to these as flower cars. I suppose you could USE it to transport flowers to the cemetery, certainly not painted red (in my opinion)
In today’s society flower cars are rarely used anymore. Limos are rarely used in a funeral processions. Its just too expensive for these add-ons as they are not a part of the funeral package.
I dont profess to know it all but I hope this helped to educate someone.
Hi Angel! Good to hear from you. You are 100% correct as usual. I’m a real “Ute” fan and own a Ford Durango. (If you never heard of one, just Google it) In my opinion, (other than quality of work) the proof is in how the transition of the now cab to the bed is performed. If care was used to make it esthetically nice/beautiful as possible then I would give it high marks. But just popping off the roof behind the door pillar doesn’t cut it for me. And this one IMO fails the test.
One of Neil Young’s first cars was a 48 Buick hearse!
I never new the Mr. Young has a Buick owner. I know him to be an old Pontiac fan and have seen several of his cars at Steve’s Backyard Cars in Amarillo Texas. By the way a cool place to see some neat cars. They are all licensed and driven at least once a month. And tours are given by very knowledgeable people. We had a young man (21 yo maybe) And being an old Pontiac guy I tried to trip him up several times. And it never happened. He passed my test! They have many brands of cars there and a shop where they do serious work. Because it sounded like I knew what I was talking about. I was let into the shop to discuss the road racing style frame that they were installing on a ’55 Chevy. A great bunch of people there make a visit very enjoyable.
Another sad attempt, and the usual, not using Nomad doors for a good look.
This probably started life as a 210 2dr handy man.
Not a nomad. Not bel air side molding either.
Had the chance to buy, I believe was a 48 Packard hearse, running condition. Really cool looking. I chickened out when the bid went to 4800…
When in high-school I had a chance to buy an authentic 1956 Cadillac flower car with a,stainless steel bed. The price was reasonable and car was in very good condition (no rust) but the paint was very dull. I was really serious about giving up my ’55 Chev. Convertible and buying the Caddy. But my girlfriend said that she wouldn’t ride in it. I just thought that a Caddy pickup was so cool! I should have dumped her sooner!
Aussie Ute style