Triple Carbs/4-Speed! 1959 Chevrolet El Camino
There’s no doubt about it, a Chevrolet El Camino always gets my attention. I’ve waxed on about them here on Barn Finds, often, but I have to honestly tell you that the bat-winged 1959 version is not my favorite. This example, however, really caught my attention – it looks great! The combination of its appearance and the fact that it’s still sporting its original, matching numbers engine just adds to its attraction – this one needs a closer look! Located in Millsboro, Delaware, this ’59 Chevrolet Ute is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $35,600 with the reserve not met yet.
We’re told that this Camino was originally finished in white but has undergone a respray in a more sinister-looking black hue. That fabulous and extensive ’59 Chevy trim is all in place and shines with purpose though the grille has been swapped for an aftermarket billet piece. I’m not much on the chrome headlight shades but the American Racing Torque-Thrust wheels are just perfect. There is an included image of the cargo bed and it’s a bit scratched – exactly as it should be. The next owner can use it as intended and not worry about putting the first boo-boo in a highly refinished piece as that’s how restored Camino beds usually end up – the keg has been tapped as so to speak.
Power is provided by the original 315 gross HP, 348 CI, triple carburetor V8 engine – remarkable! It was the major-domo powerplant available in ’59. The seller mentions having swapped out the solid lifters (and cam) for hydraulic pieces and there are some visual changes employed too. Also referenced is the swap of the original four-speed manual transmission, which should have been a Borg Warner T-10, for a later model Muncie. Of note, ’59 was the first year for a four-speed manual in the B-body Chevrolet. It’s interesting to think that 63 years ago, the original owner spec’d out this Camino with the top performance options available. Just hauling stuff around probably wasn’t the only thing on that purchaser’s mind!
The interior has undergone some modification with the inclusion of bucket seats and a center console – not original items but they work perfectly with the overall theme. The seller mentions that the dash pad has been removed and the underlying steel dash has been finished in black – I didn’t know a dash pad was a possibility in ’59, I’m not sure that I have ever seen or noticed one so equipped. It’s nice to see that the original, and distinctive ’59 Chevy steering wheel has been retained. Another nice update is the inclusion of A/C.
This one’s not going to be cheap! No idea where the reserve is set but this Camino punches all of the right tickets so it’s going to earn its keep – assuming that the reserve gets tripped. I watch these, and the later versions up through 1972, pretty closely so the current bid is no surprise. But what do you think, is this Chevy worth it?
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Comments
Friend bought a ’59 convertible while he was in college. Black, black and red insert in side trim, red interior, 348 triple carbs, 4 speed transmission, 2 inch lowering. Beautiful car as is this El Camino.
Agree on the eye lids. Looks half asleep. Never liked sleepy cars.
The grill looks odd too.
Careful driving a ’59 at turnpike speeds if you are a sleepy driver
my parents had one and on the turnpike the back started to lift. scary
they do that! my sisters first ex husband had a ’59 convertible that started doing that on the 101 near san francisco, and then the wind got under the top and front-to-back the canvas peeled right off!
Had a ’60 model as a sophomore in
high school. Bought it from one of
Mom’s friends for $200. And while mine was used and abused when I bought it, it had the same 348/4-speed this truck has. It was in pretty
sad shape when I got it though. The
tin worm had already had a veritable
feast on the floors, bed, and everything else it could sink it’s teeth
into. Didn’t matter much to me though. I still took it on as a winter
project and by Spring of ’71, I had it
roadworthy again with help from Dad
and some of his friends. I was using
it to haul band equipment when a kid
at school wanted to buy it. I was playing music a lot back then and knew I wouldn’t be able to finish it the
way it needed to be. $850 swapped
hands and when I saw it again, the kid
painted it butter yellow with a new black interior. He also added a set of
E/T slotted rims with Goodyear wide
oval tires. All I can say is I wish I had
it back now.
I love those wheels, they would make a garbage truck look good
I think this Chevy is worth it. That is a nice car/truck, even though the grill looks odd. What happened to the UTE in North America, the El Camino, the Ranchero, the Rampage, the Scamp. I used to have an ’82 Rampage and I loved it. I would have another if hey made and sold them here.
I had one of these for awhile. I was at a Pick-A-Part and a Mexican said to me: “Tu caro es como avion!” Your car is like an airplaine!
This ElCamino does NOT lift at speed. It just does not happen—even with a 427, 6-71 Blower, Richmond 5 speed.
Owned two of these over the last 30 years, great cars and real head turners today. They had a tendency to rust out in the floors front and rear and some in the bed foot well cavity just under the rear windshield. The steering wheel is not original to the El Camino but was a donor from the 59 Impala. Nice to see this has the California one-piece bumpers front and rear. In today’s world of crazy priced classic cars this year El Camino is in high demand and from what I see the price seems reasonable and might possibly bring as much as $45k.
You’re being nice saying they have a tendency to rust in the rear floor section. Great looking cars but GM really screwed up when they used the car floor pan. It was just a trap for water. Back in the day I bought two 1960s hoping for a good one. No such luck. I parted them out. Today I would repair both.
Jim, had a ’59 Impala with an optional padded dash.
First I had a factory padded dash on my ’56 Nomad.
Jimmy Reed was king of NASCAR that year and drove a ’59 Chevy 2 door and he won a ton of races. The nick name for the ’59 was Razor Blade.
Lastly for the Hot Rod Guys since the 348 was actually a big block, parts from the later big block could be used to really make a strong engine including the crank to build a stroker. There were several articles in Hot Rod and other magazines covering these modifications. This if you wanted your 348 to have more power and look as if it was stock from the factory.
I just remembered this: When I was in high school, a guy from a neighboring school drove a 60 with a 348 and a 4 speed. He once took me for a ride. He nailed it. We were rapidly approaching a stop sign. He didn’t slow down, kept accelerating. Soon the stop signs were going by like telephone poles. I guess I’m lucky to still be here. It was white. I heard the cops were after him and he repainted it purple.