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HomePick of the Day1959 Chevrolet El Camino

1959 Chevrolet El Camino

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The 1959 Chevy El Camino is a survivor with just over 36,000 miles showing on its odometer
The 1959 Chevy El Camino is a survivor with just over 36,000 miles showing on its odometer

“A car is just a car, but an El Camino is a lifestyle.”

That’s the word from urbandictionary.com as it boosts the Chevy El Camino as a super-cool ride for stylin’ and profilin.’

The 1959 model has to be considered the greatest El Camino because of its pure chutzpah. The gaudy space-age styling of the ’59 Chevy sedan goes a long way when translated into a car-based pickup with tailfins. And as they might have said at mid-century: Dig that crazy roofline.

 

The ’59 Chevy’s famous horizontal tailfins look right in place

The Pick of the Week is a 1959 Chevrolet El Camino survivor, a clean and original base model with just 36,154 miles showing on its odometer, although the seller says in the advertisement on ClassicCars.com that there is no documentation proving the mileage to be real. But considering the truck’s overall condition, the seller adds, “It could be.”

“I state that because the shift linkage, steering and door hinges are nice and tight without excessive slop that would be common with higher miles,” says the Auburn Hills, Michigan, dealer. “The floors are solid and show no signs of rust issues or previous repairs.”

Despite being a base model with a straight-six, three-speed stick shift, manual brakes and steering, and essentially no options, the Chevy apparently enjoyed a life of ease.

The complex grille and chrome trim seem to be in good shape

“Clearly intended to be a work truck, its use appears to have been quite gentle,” the seller says. “The bed is in amazingly good condition. There are no signs of deep gouges, dents or rust.

“Although it was repainted many years ago, it kept its original colors. The paint has dulled to a really nice low-gloss patina, and even though there are some isolated areas of chipping and flaking, the overall appearance has a really nice vintage look to it.”

This rare piece of ’50s kitsch has an asking price of $24,900, which sounds like a fair deal considering its unusual originality. Hopefully, whoever gets it will tread lightly and appreciate its stock form rather than slathering on custom upgrades and a garish paint job.

Because as the seller states, “This is a great old truck that can be used and enjoyed for many years to come.”

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Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen is a longtime automotive writer and editor, focusing on new vehicles, collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. He is the former automotive writer and editor for The Arizona Republic and SPEED.com, the website for the SPEED motorsports channel. He has written free-lance articles for a number of publications, including Autoweek, The New York Times and Barrett-Jackson auction catalogs. A collector car enthusiast with a wide range of knowledge about the old cars that we all love and desire, Bob enjoys tinkering with archaic machinery. His current obsession is a 1962 Porsche 356 Super coupe.
  1. Oh man, I want that 59 El Camino…and I would treat it gently too. Love the original green color, the fact that it’s a 3 speed on the column and a straight 6. And $24,900 seems like a fair asking price too. I just wish I had some money! (Story of my life) I would give a lot to own this beauty!

  2. Sorry I missed this when it was first posted. But I can still appreciate it’s magnificence. I would love to have one of these. Someday I will . I’m a huge fan of El Camino’s and Rancheros and I’d have to say this is my favorite model.

  3. I have an 87 I’ve been working on for 11 yrs but i would love to have this 59 . My Dad had a 59 two door sedan with this exact setup . this relly takes me back in time.

  4. BEAUTIFUL.My second car was a 59 El Camino, same color.The engine was a 348. My f first car was a 51 Ford Woody, almost the same color except the wood of course.Came with no engine, being a poor kid I bought a 53 mercy flat head from a buddy for $40 dollars and putt in. I also had a 68 El Camino with a 327. I wish I still had all three. If I could afford another 59 I would buy this one and keep it orginal.

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