Just over 6 months ago, Hagerty Media introduced a new show called Driveway Finds, with each episode focusing on rescuing a neglected classic and bringing it back to life. A notable recent discovery was this 1960 Chevrolet El Camino, reportedly last driven in 1993 and sitting untouched in a barn ever since. What makes this one so extraordinary is the 348 tri-power engine still under the hood, although hosts Dustin Hallman and John Brito initially see little hope of getting this 335 HP component unstuck. However, this is one of those great tales that has a happy ending, so be sure to check out the entire installment here on YouTube.
Just pulling the El Camino out of the barn proved challenging, as the tires were flat, there were rat droppings inside, and the last time anyone had been behind the wheel was some 33 years ago. That’s when the owner’s grandson, Bill, drove the Chevy on its final outing, which was only a short distance around the neighborhood. He informs us that it was parked for a couple of reasons, mainly since it was overheating due to a cracked head or a blown gasket, but also because there were originally big plans for a restoration. Sadly, the truck’s owner experienced a stroke not long after and passed away in 1997 without getting to see his vision fulfilled.
Even under ideal storage conditions, that’s a long time for an automobile to sit, and being inside a barn resulted in a thick layer of funk building up on the outside. Once the El Camino had been rescued, a thorough pressure wash was performed immediately, including both the exterior and the entire engine compartment. The results were better than expected, and after a subsequent sheet metal buffing, the black patina was showing a surprisingly good appearance.
However, the bigger dilemma was getting the engine unstuck, which was important because the hosts determined it was likely the original factory component. After the stamping was cleaned, the suffix FH was discovered, indicating this was indeed a 1960 solid-lifter 348 tri-power V8, the highest-horsepower and most expensive motor you could get in the El Camino for the period. There was still more investigative work to be done here, as the VIN and trim tag don’t provide definitive proof of an original tri-power unit, so you have to look for more clues elsewhere. The 3/8-inch fuel lines, rather than 5/16-inch, are stated to be a strong indicator that this one’s the real deal, as are those lines running underneath the control arms. Additionally, the placement of the coil on the firewall instead of on top of the intake manifold, along with the ballast resistor’s location, also helps verify the pedigree here.
After applying a “secret sauce” to the cylinders, consisting of acetone and automatic transmission fluid, the engine was finally able to be slightly turned by hand after sitting for a couple of days. Then, after a live battery was installed and the starter had been thoroughly beaten, the key was turned, and the motor finally broke free, although oil pressure was nonexistent. After the covers were taken off and the stuck valves tapped with a hammer, they eventually all moved, and the duo was ready for the next step.
Finally, the timing was adjusted by brute force, then WD-40 was sprayed on the valves, followed by gasoline being poured into each carburetor. The 348 was now running on its own, even going down the road and back for a brief run with John sitting on the fender, spraying carb cleaner down the throats while Dustin was behind the wheel. A short time later, Bill returned to the shop and seemed amazed not only by how well his grandfather’s truck had cleaned up, but also by the fact that it was running again. Though this is undoubtedly the beginning of a fine success story, the pair ends this episode by asking their viewers if they’d like to see the 348 get rebuilt all the way and additional repairs made to this holy grail El Camino. My answer here is a resounding YES! How about you?
That photo of the guy sitting on the fender spraying carb cleaner while the car rolls is priceless. They need their own reality series.
Wow. Thats some backstory on thei ElCamino. That 348 Tripower setup is something else. Must’ve been something else back when it was new.
Not to change the subject but could you tell me more about your profile picture? I LOVE those old GMC CRACKERBOXES!
great u-tube video is up on this car…and the adventure to geting it to go down the road…
I’m literally watching the video right now. It’s a must see, especially on a rainy Sunday!!! The fact they got that 348 running is amazing, and also the clean out process too, even reviving that black paint. While riding on a fender acting as a fuel injector might not be the safest thing in the world. It was really great to watch
YES KEEP ALL TOGETHER IN TACK
I knew a man in WPB who had one of these motors and a 4 spd sitting on the floor of his garage. I tried to buy it but no sale. He had it there for many years and had a project in mind. I know he never used the motor and have wondered what happened to it.
I wanted to put it in a later model Chevelle or something even tho those 348s are extra heavy.
Very cool story! Love how you explained their revive procedure! Cool truck! Yeah, for sure, they should have a reality video! Thanks!
Now this is THE Barn Finds barn find of barn finds !
Excellent write up too.
This was a delight for me, thank you BFs =)
The first time a saw a ’60 El Camino i was stunned, they are works of art, pics dont dont do em justice.
About time they went back to real barn finds, I think most of these cars are people testing the market
Great write up Mike Thank You. Makes you wonder how many great cars and trucks are still forgotten in barns.
What a great car with an equally great story. This one deserves a rotisserie restoration.
Love that body style and would love to find one for a project.
great story. i love the alternative fuel source. i had to do that many times on care with failed fuel pumps. rare bird for sure worthy of a redo. excellent find.
If you are actually going to do it and do it right I would suggest having the engine done by an old time machine shop that is familiar with these classic American V8’s. Like HEARTBREAKER RACE ENGINES in S, Chicago area. You only want to do it once, RIGHT! We have custom made jigs and tooling for the uneven block surfaces found on early BB Chevy engine blocks. Give AL a shout 708 636 1949
A TRUE barn find. That is badass too!!
Rare Chevy!!
I had one of these as a teen ager.
I bought it from a friend of my Mom’s who was gonna scrap it because of all the rust in the floors and bed. But it ran like.a watch ⌚ so I gave her $200 for it
in 1970, just before I started out on my first tour that year. After the tour was over for that year, I
had quite a project during my Sophomore year in highschool. And because it ran so well, Dad was able to drive it down to Wherry Welding so that new floors could be welded in so they it would pass the truck inspection
law we had in our state back then. After the floors were in, I used it to haul musical equipment for the group I was playing with at the time. Because
I kept my grades up, my folks were really great about letting me
play one nighters on weekends.
Through the week, it was do my
chores and study hard every night
and maybe just maybe I’d have time to get the truck ready for paint the next year. But I didn’t keep it long enough to do it. And yeah, it had a 348/4-speed combo in it with a factory tri power setup on the engine. I sold
it for $850 to a kid I knew at school who asked me if I had a car to sell. Dad and I would buy old cars, fix them up, and sell them to other kids in school at
reasonable prices. You wouldn’t
believe all the old and rare cars we sold that way! Not long after I
sold it, I saw it at school sporting
a butter yellow paint job with a new black interior and ET mags. He did a real nice job on it too. So nice in fact, that I almost regretted selling it to him! Oh the stupid things we do when we’re young!
This gal deserves to go to the PROM, but not until she’s completely taken care of, her date will be her husband, and he knows it, lucky guy wish you the best luck in the world
Email me a link for the video please. Or text or whatever
Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j01qd1NJFmg
This came across my youtube channel today! It needs a lot of work.
Labor of love. We don’t always walk away from projects with money to spare. The chance to have something to work on and then keep it for yourself is priceless. And so is the experience.
has to be the best find i have seen on here in a long time.
Saw the video of this truck and it
was really awesome. I was gonna look at their other videos but I had a full day at my store 🏪
and I was really bushed so I went
to bed dreaming of owning a truck just like it. What a joy it would be to really own a truck like
this! Had my chance and sold it
though. Getting too old to do one
now. If they were selling this truck, it’ll fetch at least 10K without even trying.
no mention of transmission I believe the 348 tripower with solid lifterscame only as a 3 speed column shif or 4 speed mine originally came with the three speed but sooner after had to be replaced with a4 speed.
I had a ’60 with a 348 4 BBL and a ‘Turboglide’ Transmission it had ‘GR’ at the right side of the selector dial for grade up or down I believe. Torque-y little engine. Marc.
thats ok some ones dream car My dad an i rescued a 2dr 57 belaire hardtop sitting behind a barn in lowa in 1973, behind a barn his son parked it ther went to vietnam never returned. 1964. we got it pried from said farmer for 50.00 . aired up tires poured gas in it hand worked motor got loosened fired it up drove it 15miles home 3on the tree 283 engine top speed 30 mph blowing smoke replaced witha 283, had another 57 so i sold it for 300.00 went into service what fun…