Before the El Camino, there was another comfortable yet hardworking pickup truck Chevy designed for the gentlemen farmer – the Cameo Carrier introduced in 1955.
Chevrolet equipped the Cameos with luxury comforts that work trucks never included before, such as carpeting and radios. These pickups were a success in their first year with more than 5,000 sales, but they lost momentum as other manufacturers began to release their own versions of luxury pickups – Ford’s Styleside and Dodge’s Sweptside – with smaller price tags.
Just 2,244 Cameos were sold in 1957, among them the Pick of the Day, a restored and modified 1957 Chevrolet Cameo with a “vibrant blue” repaint and upgraded amenities.
This 1957 Cameo was restored less than 4,300 miles ago, according to the Lavergne, Tennessee, dealer advertising the Cameo on ClassicCars.com, and given a few custom upgrades to carry on Chevy’s luxurious vision for these trucks, including an AM/FM/CD stereo with aux input, a center console with cup holders, and air conditioning.
“1957 was the first year that the Cameo was officially offered in a color besides white,” the dealer says in the ad. “So the restoration took full advantage of this history, and gave it a vibrant blue with a nice hint of metallic.”
The seller describes how Chevrolet set the Cameo apart from ordinary pickups.
“The flush-fitting bed and revised tailgate was created by utilizing the fiberglass knowledge from the Corvette line,” the seller explains. “It had a full sweeping trim with an integrated hint of two-tone color, and there’s a tailfin design to make this as attractive as the ’57 Bel Air.”
Mirror-like chrome is found on the bumpers, trim and the distinctive grille that was new to the Cameos for this model year.
“Even the custom details are well-integrated, like the one-piece side glass and classic torque thrust wheels with blue Chevy center caps,” the dealer adds. “And there’s a flush-fitting tonneau that protects the great-looking lumber in the truck bed.”
Power comes from a modern 350cid small block that’s been upgraded with an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor, Edelbrock intake and headers feeding the Flowmaster dual exhaust.
“There’s plenty of shine coming off the valve covers, intake, alternator, aluminum radiate, and more,” says the dealer. “And the metallic blue air grabber is a particularly nice touch.”
The custom interior features a two-tone tan and tweed bench seat with matching carpet, door panels and headliner.
“You get a great-looking sports steering wheel on a tilt column, and it gives you a clear view to the upgraded full gauge panel that fits in the classic housing.”
The truck is being offered for $79,995.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
What is the fuel mileage for the truck? Thanks.