Up for auction is my beautiful 1959 Chevrolet El Camino! This beautiful ride is all business in the front and a party in the back! 1959 marked the first year of the El Camino.
Paint- Overall the paint is very nice. It was recently wet sanded and buffed. The body is extremely straight. It is painted an unforgiving black which compliments it's straight and long body panels. The doors open and shut nicely. No sagging. The panels line up good. The paint is extremely presentable, however it is not a fresh paint job. I estimate it was painted about five years ago by the previous owner. It does have imperfections due to it being driven and enjoyed. The body is black. The wings and roof are silver. I recently had the interior of the bed repainted when I installed the new custom bed floor. I would say, this is as nice of a paint job on a car you would want to drive. If it were much nicer, you may want to just trailer it. Excellent for your local cruise night and local shows.
Metal- All the metal appears to be original. The floors and braces appear to be original and in good shape. The glass is driver quality.
Interior- I recently installed a Ciadella interior. I went with the multicolor 1959 Chevrolet Impala black, grey, and white multi-color insert. It does have an American Audio, original style radio. It does work. I had it working until I removed the antenna.
Gauges- All the lights, gauges and turn signals work with exception of the gas gauge. When I fill it up, it shows full but goes back to E despite having more gas. I think it is the sending unit (easy fix).
Engine/Transmission- The engine is a built 283. The transmission is a 700R, four speed automatic. The motor is strong! I recently drove it from Los Angeles to San Diego in 90+ degree heat. I logged a quick 200+ miles doing so. The car never got hot, while driving 65-70 MPH.
Modifications- It has a moder Vintage Air system, complete with cold air, heat, and defrost. It has an American Audio head unit. It looks original but is a modern radio. The dash was not cut. The bed received a custom wood bed treatment, stained grey to match the wings. I have also upgraded the generator with an alternator. The alternator maintains the appearance of a generator. I also added an air ride system. The compressor and tank were mounted below the bed, as to maintain a sanitary appearance. The air ride can be controlled by a small remote mounted in the cab. There is also a master cut off switch if you prefer stock height. The air ride system is completely bolt on, meaning it can be removed with minimal effort. Also, it is brand new, therefore it has no leaks.
Wheels/Tires- The original 1959 wheels were recently powder coated. The caps were polished to a high finish. I added the factory 1959 black spinners to give it a little flare. The wide white tires are brand new, with less than 500 miles on them.
Options/Accessories- NEW VINTAGE AIR KIT, WORKING AIR CONDITIONING with cold air, heater, and defroster, two tone paint scheme with paint dividers, fender skirts, polished hub caps, spinner caps, front bumper guard, custom wood with polished stainless strips, custom impala seat inserts, American audio head unit, power steering, power brakes, and Impala steering wheel. Can't forget that air ride suspension.
Flaws- Like I previously mentioned, the shows very well but is not flawless due to the car being driven and enjoyed. It is a 60-year-old car; therefore it is a cold start. When left alone for extended periods of time, it may require a few bumps of the key. I like to let it warm up for about five minutes before I hit the streets. Also, the sending unit should be replaced.
Overall, this 1959 El Camino is very nice. It is an excellent cruiser/local show car. In 1959 Chevrolet produced approximately 165,000 Impala sport coupes, 78,000 Impala convertibles, and only 22,000 El Caminos. This makes the El Camino far more rare than the highly sought after Impala convertible. Most El Caminos were treated like trucks, therefore were abused and rusted. This is a fine example of a clean survivor. It can be driven and enjoyed today!
The not so fun stuff- This is an auction to buy. Not an auction to inspect. For that reason, PLEASE ask all questions and conduct all inspections prior to bidding. Please have your finances in order prior to bidding. If you have to, please consult with your significant other before bidding. The buyer will pay all shipping related expenses. The car will need to be picked up within 10 days. Only bid what you can afford and are prepared to pay. I require a $1,000 non-refundable deposit within 24 hours via paypal, venmo, cash, or zelle. The balance must be paid in full within 5 days. I accept cash at my bank, wire transfer, or certified bank check. All funds must clear my bank before the car will be released. The buyer will receive a clear California title in my name. The reserve is below what I have invested in the vehicle. I can be reached at 714-234-6095 with any questions you might have. I can provide additional photos or videos if needed. THIS AUCTION WILL END ON SUNDAY AUGUST 4, 2024 AT 12:00 PM WEST COAST TIME.