It is not always remembered that the rivalry between the Chevrolet El Camino and the Ford Ranchero extends back into the late 1950’s. Intended for light duty hauling with full passenger car comfort, the first generation El Camino followed the Ranchero by two years.
Based on a modified Brookwood two-door station wagon, the 1959 El Camino sported a double-walled pickup bed and a load capacity as high as 1,150 pounds.
The first year’s reception of the new model was good, with more than 22 thousand being sold, but when sales fell to just over 14 thousand in the following year, Chevrolet canceled production.
As Ford’s Ranchero would continue to sell well through the early 1960’s, a second generation El Camino – this time based on the Chevelle platform – would appear in 1964.
The full range of engine selections was available for the 1959 models. From the rather sedate 235cui inline-six to the triple carburetor, 348cui V8, the El Camino could be configured for most any type of driving envisioned. Even the fuel-injected 283cui Ramjet engines were available.
The current listing fails to specify which engine will be found under the hood, other than to say it is a V8 with automatic transmission. Despite the efforts of three bidders over the 10-day auction, the Texas car failed to sell with a high bid of $18.711.
According to the seller, the car has had the engine and transmission rebuilt, all the brightwork refreshed and the glass and weatherstrip replaced with new parts.
Some work has previously been done on the floorpan, but the car remains in need of substantial interior work.
This car is significant for its historical relevance, though is probably not as popular as some of the later generation model. The relatively insubstantial listing makes it difficult to assess how appropriate the sellers reserve bid is, but that is – of course – a matter entirely up to the seller.
If you are interested in this example, you can still contact the seller through the eBay listing to see whether a relisting is imminent or not.
You might also like
SEMA 2025: Gas Monkey Garage To Debut Radical 1970 Chevelle Street Bruiser
Gas Monkey Garage will debut a radical 1970 Chevelle street bruiser at SEMA. The car features a Speedtech chassis and 1,200 HP.
