The Chevrolet El Camino is definitely not a car that evokes prestige or classiness, but for a brief moment in time, the two-door utility vehicle was actually quite elegant-looking.
The first-generation El Camino, built for the 1959 and 1960 model years, appeared very much like a second-generation Chevrolet Impala, sporting similar front and rear fascias and similar side profiles as well. This gives the 1959 El Camino, along with the 1960 model year car, a decidedly classier look than the second-generation car introduced in 1964.
A somewhat uncommon first model year 1959 Chevrolet El Camino will soon be sold at Mecum’s Dallas sale. A thoroughly restored example, it appears just as it did when it left the Chevy showroom in 1960 (if not better..) and still has all of its original body panels. This is also 5.7-liter V8 example – which was the largest V8 engine offered in the 1959 Chevrolet El Camino. A 3.9-liter inline-six and smaller 4.6-liter V8 were also available for 1959 and 1960.
Making this 1959 Chevrolet El Camino that much cooler is its four-speed manual transmission. It’s unclear if the car was ordered with the four-speed manual, but a two-speed Powerglide automatic and three-speed manual were also offered at the time. This car was also ordered with power steering, power brakes and air-conditioning.
While Chevrolet made more than 22,000 El Caminos for the 1959 model year, you definitely don’t see them as beautifully restored as this one very often. Mecum isn’t estimating how much this one will sell for, so feel free to let us know how much you think it’s worth in the comments down below.
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Source/Photos: Mecum
Comments
In this day of everything truck, hard to believe there isn’t a market for El Caminos. Maybe on Camaro platform? Might be a reason to help Camaro on the market?
Or maybe the Malibu.
I’m gonna guess within spitting distance of 55K for the sale.
Hard to believe a 5.7L (350 ci) was available in ’59, probably a transplant. I believe the largest should have been the 4.6L (283 ci). The 5.3L (327 ci) did not appear until 1962 I believe, but I could be wrong. I love the El Camino, had a 1970 SS 350, 4 speed, miss it everyday.
1958 impala had 348 under the hood with 3 deuces. Brother had one he was second owner, it came from the factory that way. I wonder now days if Holden down under made them.
Must be 348cu in.? 327 came in ’62. 283V8 was available too.
You are correct, could have been, another reason I hate these “Liter” designations. My mind immediately went to 350. Thanks!
348 Engine was available 58-61 if the date codes are right this would be a rare ‘Mino.
348 Flags on the hood on this one.
I have a 1970 clone SS. I bought it in 95 with 350 automatic on the floor. Factory a/c. Single wheel 2 bbl. It hsd cloth seats. I put a cam headers 4 bbl. Headers and changed to posi 373 rear. Put 3200 stall kit and had the 350 trans beefed up. I blew the motor. Block no good. Just built a 383 stroker 535 hp. Dyno . i am going to upgrade brakes drill slot front and back and mini tubb it with 456 rear 20 inch custom rims . us mags . upgraded interior to. Roll and pleated . will updated by end of year for completion. Goin to upgrsde a/c to new conversion .what will this be worth
I agree that a El would be a refreshing addition to the market that’s overflowing with SUVs. There’s a ton of them cruising in SOCAL.
Live to dream.. a new Chevrolet El Camino using the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer as a starting point.
Just bought a 1984 El Camino. Having a heck of a time finding a mechanic that knows how to work on it. Any suggestions?
I need – AC work, upholstery, misc parts (lights, weather seals, headlights, etc)
Thanks in advance.
Where are you?
The 1980’s vehicles are easy to work on. If you need help reach out to [email protected]
South Florida. I sent you an email. Appreciate your offer.
It amazes me that in this day and age with it being SO easy to research “ANYTHING” that Sam seems to think that engine sizes were referred to as liters
Back then it was CID that’s cubic inch displacement sam as in 283,327,348,350 etc
America did not and has not adopted the metric system
Maybe when you write about Toyota Prius you might use liter but when referring to American cars especially classics such as this use the lingo that was used in the day and still used today by the people involved with American muscle cars
I imagine your also one of the guys that say pound feet of torque instead of the correct terminology
I am a guy who appreciates what Americans did in the drawing room as well as the assembly line in Detroit Those Guys created not only neck snapping raw performance but also works of art such as the 1959 Chevrolet elcamino
Thanks for showing us this “Restomod”
Look it up
I too am not a liter fan nor pound feet of torque. Give me the old cubic inch and foot pounds. The 59 El Camino did come with a 348 ci V8. A four speed would also be quite rare. Most had either a two speed “slip and slide” power glide or “three on the tree”. As a kid during this era, four speeds did not become popular until later on in the 60’s. Alot of farm pick-ups had them but not to many cars.
If it came with the 348/4-speed from the factory it would have to be a hi-po 348, tri power or single 4 with solid lift cam. You could also get the 4-speed with a FI 283, even more rare. With this camino someone installed an impala interior, steering wheel, fender spears and tinted windshield. Originally el caminos, were stripped down affairs, grey vinyl interior, clear glass etc. I wish they included a picture of the engine bay. Very clean and straight car though.
Sorry, with those cheap aftermarket wheels, is just a “second hand” pickup. 1959 means 1959, not a pile of pieces.
Such a cool ass car. Is it going forward or backwards? Its a,rockin’ rolin piece of good ole western art. One day soon the price will be unattainable so I’d lay a hundred g on that one today.