The expression “it’s a gas” means something is wonderful, incredible or remarkable. While this 1959 Chevrolet El Camino, located in Centereach, NY, may not fit that description for everyone, enough people here on eBay seem to feel it does to have driven bidding up to $12,100 with nearly five days left to go.
Introduced in 1959, the El Camino combined the front-end and x-frame chassis from Chevrolet’s full-size cars with a pickup bed. I’ve always been a fan of the ’59 Chevy’s rear fins, and I’ve always loved the way GM’s stylists managed to incorporate them into a pickup-style bed. Try finding a truck this cool on a new-car dealer’s lot today!
This particular car, however, now rides on a ’79 Suburban chassis that’s been modified with a solid front axle. Solid front axles were popular on gassers, dedicated drag-racers that were popular in the late fifties to early seventies. This car hasn’t received the full gasser treatment, though, as it still sports a relatively complete interior and is only motivated by a 327.
While it’s not entirely clear to me what the ultimate goal was for this car, it is apparent that there’s some work left to be done, so the new owner will have plenty of opportunities to make this car their own. With a more powerful engine, some interior finishing and some bodywork, it could be completed as a gasser-style race car, or it could be built into something that more closely resembles its original form. What would you do with this if it were yours?
I know that we all have our personal tastes and the owner has the right to do as he/she wants but what you have here is a ruined iconic car. All the handling characteristics would be gone. The only saving grace here is the builder did not hack out the rear fender wells and ruin another wish straight body. I’ll bet the ride in a gravel truck is better than this thing. I guess if ado ear car could be found it could be brought back to somthing that resembles a normal car. For me the first thing to go would be that redicules axle arrangement and those way to big wheels on the back. This must be a real treat to drive. Big pass on this one.
Exactly my sentiment. Its damn ugly. What a crying shame to see a perfectly engineered and styled American icon ruined. No accounting for taste. Sorry chaps from my british prospective, its not woth a hap’ney
I myself prefer the way it looks as is, I am not in favor of the car scraping the ground just so it will handle better. They aren’t sports cars anyway, correct? I was there in the “day” these cars looked liked that. My 66 SS396 Chevelle was jacked up for better weight transfer at the drag strip. You can have all the ground scrapers you like but I am a fan of a car that has a rake to it, cause that’s how they really looked back in the day.
I was just looking at this ad a couple days ago. I love it personally.
The 59 ElCamino is one of my favorite rides in any form. And I would roll this one all day long. (I have a good chiropractor!)
I wish people would stop referring to these Gasser style builds as potential race cars. They aren’t, they will only see the track if there is a car show in the pits. They are built to draw attention at a car show or the local cruise, that’s it. The seller doesn’t even pretend it’s destined to see track time.
Steve R
The ’59 el camino has to be the best looking open back ever. Look at those lines!
I don’t see the point in building a 59 El Camino like this but, we all have our unique tastes. At least the body hasn’t been butchered. It does look pretty radical and will definitely turn heads.
You poor thing, what have they done to you.😩
First time I’ve seen a stick shift located outside of a center console…
That’s an aftermarket shifter.They mounted on the side of the tranny.Same as the one I put in my 70 Nova Looks like a 3 speed….
I love gassers, but this is a bit of a stretch. ’59 El Camino’s, probably the nicest of all styles, is unbelievably rare, especially one with this nice a body.Take a lot to undo what this person already did, but as a gasser, it limits the interest considerable. Back to stock. Make a gasser out of the Crosley wagon.
The body isn’t bad at all. Can’t understans why at all anyone would do this to a good already project car to what it is now? I’d find a chassie that would fit and make it back DOWN to NORMAL height and fix her up to a more restored and a added project? But not that to a perfect El Camino body
Cool as hell.
Look for a ’59-’61 frame and make it right. Sheeesh.
This one has resto-mod written all over it. Put a more streetable front end under it, clean up the cosmetics and you’d still have a great looking car!
How about an Art Morrison chassis with c6 running gear? That would save that clean body and have modern brakes, something 1959 did NOT have.
If it were mine I would go in similar direction as you Mike. Makes the most sense and by for would be the coolest and most drivable. Slap in a nice LS style engine and a six speed tranny you would have a really cool ride.
I have a love/hate thing with this, if it had an engine that could shred these tires, that would be cool, but, I’d be thrilled to have this bone stock.
“It’s a gas” Actually, it’s a shame.
Message to seller “DONT DO DRUGS”. They’ll do to you what you did to this ElCamino.
Obviously, someone has too much time on their hands, and a junkyard of parts to match up with it. Moreover, the marijuana they are smokin’ must be bad weed, man.
P.S. This classic 59 has endured insufferable abuse. We should send the Vintage Car Police to have a talk with the builder.
Bob
Timely feature for me,I am heading out this afternoon,to check out the barns of an elderly friend of mine.Among the Model A’s and T’s and a few hotrods, is a 59 El Camino,in an unfortunate flamed yellow livery.I will help him move some vehicles,but would like to buy the 59 for myself.I would also like the 63 split window,red on red ,fuelie,less than 30,000 miles that he bought new.His children have made it Crystal Clear “never going to happen” Lol
I’d get it back down on the ground where it belongs and just drive, drive , drive. Then punch whom ever raped it in the throat !
Almost $14K and reserve not met? So this guy thinks this butcher job is worth more than $14K? Well, maybe that 2×4 holding up the driver’s seat adds a few bucks. Should be restored to its original glory, but that will take beaucoup time, effort and coin. I’m going to go cry now.
Too nice a body and too iconic of a car to do this to it.
canadianmarkseh, After driving one of these in stock form. It probably handles better now than original. These were sloppy, sloppy pigs on the street. That being said.
1. I think it looks cool.
2. Sticking a truck frame under it is counter productive to a gasser format. (Besides the supposed benefits of the weight transfer) They have added more weight. Not lessen lessen the weight of control arms etc.
I agree with the resto-mod route. The car (now days) is so unusual that I would be very careful to use something different for the powerplant. (yes I know the kind of horsepower an LS makes these days, but everytime I look at a GM hot rod. It either has an LS or a ZZ4)
So I want to hear everyone’s different idea for drivetrain. A blown 348? A supercharged 292? A DuraMax that took a trailer down the isles at Banks?
Come on guys! Lets see what you can come up with?
I too love ElCaminos. I built this one in 1981, Big Block, 5 speed–you get the idea.. Still have it, still draws a crowd. A very nice car to drive and yes it is fast.
Oops here is the picture
Isn’t this the Ford version of an El Camino??
Looks like a model I would of put together as a kid. Love the stance,but probably not too practical.
It looks like a ZINGER…all that’s missing is that big motor, sticking thru the hood.I’m no bowtie fan, but I’d drive the hell outta this, just the way it is
Motivated by only a 327? You should be slapped for them fighting words.
Love at first sight!!!!
If i could find the owner ,i would be willing to trade my 69 vette for this!!!