In 1957, Ford created a new product category, “the gentleman’s pickup”. The new Ranchero was based on a full-size Fairlane 2-door station wagon. Chevrolet would emulate the Ranchero in 1959 when they introduced their designed line of automobiles, and out came the El Camino. This first-year edition is a barn find that’s in rough shape. It was parked ages ago in Kentucky and no longer has its engine or transmission. Located now in Coventry, Rhode Island, this roller is available here on eBay and only one bid of $500 has been cast. A reserve will determine whether the pickup sells or not.
Ford’s Ranchero would continue in production through 1979. It transitioned to a compact body in 1960 as part of the new Falcon lineup, then became a mid-size in 1966 going forward. On the other hand, Chevy execs must not have been impressed with the El Camino’s sales for 1959-60, so the model was dropped when the Biscayne/Bel Air/Impala was redesigned in 1961. But that wasn’t the end of the El Camino as it returned in 1964 as part of the new Chevelle intermediate portfolio, staying there through 1987 when the rear-wheel-drive models were retired.
This ’59 El Camino was one of 22,246 built in 1959. It could have been assembled with a 235 cubic inch inline-6 with a 3-speed manual or perhaps a 283 V8 with a 2-speed Powerglide. But we don’t know as both units were removed from the pickup some time ago. The seller theorizes that the truck was parked because it was involved in an accident that messed up some right-side sheet metal. The door is a total loss, and the rear quarter panel is going to need work, but the quarter post may be okay.
Except for the dashboard, the interior pieces have also taken flight and the floorboards look like Swiss cheese, so if you opted to restore this once-white truck, you’ll have to replace all of that. The seller bought the El Camino to restore, but another project came along that is of greater interest (maybe he decided there was too much here needing work). If you want to get it running again, the seller has a disassembled 348 V8 you can talk turkey on as well as some other Chevy powerplants and transmissions.
Waaaaay too far gone for restoration, not sure even parts car would be, crusher IMO!
Not a lot left to comment on here. The top trim pieces, possibly the dash panel, door latches etc. but not much else.
It might be worth $500. I would make a bid but its just too far away.
Good yard art project… maybe salvage the last bits and that’s about it.
I need a left side tail light bucket……..
The seller bought this to restore? Unlikely. He offered to get it out of someone’s back 40, offered to split the scrape metal price with the lazy eyesore owner. That is the story here. He popped someone 20 bucks and hauled her away, now he hopes to find a sucker with a fat wallet. This kind of thing gives the hobby a bad name.
Push it back into the ocean !!
The passenger side door appeared on an episode of Shark Week.
Wow some gator in the Everglades is looking for the SOB who stole his motor home !
Just say….NO!
To far gone to economically restore, pull the glass, chrome and other bits and pieces and give her a decent burial, she deserves that much.
It wouldn’t even make a good parts car. Perhaps dropping it in the ocean and making it a reef for the fishies would be a better idea.
I literally have seen these in better shape in junkyards. What a shame.
I Need the Roof and some trim Parts
My dad would have said
All it needs is a new radiator cap & drive a new car under it.
There’s an ass for every seat. But wait, where’s the seat?
Wow that rigs rough.
Your essentially buying a vin# and glass.
“The seller bought the car to restore”—until he realized he was bats**t crazy.
Lots of positive comments here, so I’ll just mention how cool it would of been with the two engines side by side in this!
Nothing left but the memories.I love these Elkys but man did they rust and good ones are hard to find. Some pickins left but that’s about it.Typical sellers pitch about the “big money” it can bring when finished.You’re gonna be buried in this as soon as soon as you buy it! Stop with the drugs!!!
it looks like a set of cross flags above the V on the hood which would mean came with a 348
Is it the 1st April today?
Only pay like this for a real car, a Porsche.
Is only worth buying to sell for parts. While selling parts, use it as a lawn ornament.
Okay, we’ve had our fun, stuff like this brings out the comedian in many, but I think this is savable, I mean, look at the crusty crap some of these people restore. We have to remember what it is, a one year example of a highly sought after vehicle. Heck, it still is recognizable, compared to some of cars we see here. The ’59 El Camino was my favorite, why, the tail lights and tailgate ( not like the wagon tail gate, I think) alone are worth a fortune. Yep, open the money spigot, and restore away. Plenty of people will benefit from a restoration like this, except of course, the owner, but hey, it’s a ’59 El Camino,,,
Believe it or not, if you had this Elky in SoCal and took it to Pomona, you could easily get $2k possibly a bit more just for all the hard to find one year only parts. (Dash, glass and Bed trim 59-60) I personally would not try to restore this as they are not an easy vehicle to do, and you better have really deep pockets if you plan on trying. Have owned two over the last 40 years, fun car and a real head turner when done!
Well it’s gone somebody bought it definitely not worth the money it’ll take to restore unless it’s ur passion to restore and keep it
looks like someome bought it