Thanks to our frequent contributor Olaf E. for sending these in–get well soon, Olaf! This pair of 1960 Chevrolet El Caminos have both seen better days, but there’s enough there to get a good start on putting one back on the road. They are located in Sallisaw, Oklahoma and are listed for sale here on craigslist where you can get the pair for $3,950.
The formerly blue one on the left is the better of the two, although there are certainly some good parts there on the right hand side vehicle. The distinctive styling of the 1959-60 Chevrolets make this an extremely distinctive vehicle, especially in the greenhouse area with wraparound glass both front and rear. Of course, it would be nice if either vehicle had front glass, but hey, you can’t have everything. I found them here for just under $500.
While there’s certainly some quarter panel work to be done, and there’s a decent amount of surface rust elsewhere, take a look at that distinctive rear that you’ll only see in this generation. Bumpers and trim (what there is of it) look pretty good and there are even duplicates of some items between the two vehicles (to be sold to fund other parts?)
While there’s not a whole lot to work with here as far as upholstery or door panels, at least there’s some items that are complete, and you won’t be searching for door and window handles. Would you take this back stock, or take the opportunity to do some customizing?
The blue car/truck comes with what appears to be the original 283 (although I’m wondering what all that bracketry on the passenger side front is for) and a two-speed automatic, which I presume to be a Powerglide. We are not told if the engine is free or not; of course it’s not difficult to find a small block Chevrolet if you don’t want originality, but I’d rather keep this engine if it is the original one. What do you think you’d do with this pair?
Practice your welding skills on this one. Keep that 283 if possible. Slap some clear on the P word and put that thing back into use. Too much for the pair. The asking price would bust the budget.
Factory A/C bracket?
Yep, that’s a forward air conditioning compressor bracket, on the right front of the engine. That bracket was used with the early A6 compresors on 64-70 full size Chevrolets, and 63-76 Corvettes, but I don’t believe it was used on 60 Chevrolet’s or El Camaino’s. That doesn’t look like the correct air cleaner for a 60 283 either.
I love 60 Chevrolet’s, but they are prone to rust. 60 El Camaino’s have passenger car/station wagon floors, under the rear bed, that are almost always rotted out. Because they’re under the bed, they’re not fun to replace.
The car with the stand under it looks like it was the victim of a interior fire. There is one pic. of the left side of the car where you can clearly see a line in the body where paint ends and rust begins that and the dash looks like it was cooked. To bad because that car has the better quarter panels. It would be a tough call as to which car should be the donor. Personally I’d pass on them as I prefer the 59’s styling que’s.
Since when did a 60 Chevy come with an alternator? Also that strange right side acsessor Bracket makes me think that may not be the original engine
You’re correct, that should be a generator if it’s a 1960 small block.
Tough to tell without checking the numbers whether it’s a 283 or a later 327, since they both used the rams horn manifolds and front oil fill.
Couple of rare birds, but putting one whole one together will take a lot of time and $$..still, you don’t see many.
Elcaminos. wagons and convertibles use different glass than the coupes…ask me how I know!
Was wondering about that. It appears they’re in the $500 range for aftermarket, but at least an available part.