Since the demise of the Holden Commodore Ute, the coupe utility segment has ceased to exist. However, during the 1960s, vehicles with a bed were quite popular. Chevrolet is commonly recognized as the pioneer of the first American ute in the 1930s, but the introduction of Ford’s Ranchero in 1957 saw a surge in the popularity of car-based trucks. The iconic El Camino from Chevrolet followed suit in 1959.
The Chevrolet El Camino survived until 1987, but there was a break in production between 1961 and 1963, during which the nameplate was replaced by the Corvair Greenbrier. When it returned in 1964, it was based on the Chevelle, marking a significant departure from the first-generation model, which was built around the Impala.
The first-generation El Camino was special for several reasons, including its unique bubble top and flashy rear fins. However, it was only produced for two model years (1959 and 1960), making it a rare and expensive find today. With pristine first-gen El Caminos costing over $50,000, it’s crucial to preserve as many of them as possible.
This particular 1960 El Camino was abandoned and sat in storage for over 15 years. Despite being far from original in terms of paint and drivetrain, with significant rust damage, it was given a second chance at life by YouTube’s “Vice Grip Garage,” who turned it into a runner.
Although it was once someone’s prized hot rod, this El Camino is now missing its front grille and a pair of headlamps, with several large rust holes in the fenders. Inside, the cabin was once painted red, but the rusty floor was fixed with a collection of license plates, which is unorthodox but appears solid.
Under the hood, this El Camino is equipped with a V8 engine. Chevrolet sold it with 283- and 348-cubic-inch engines back in the day, but it’s unclear which one this truck has. It does have an Edelbrock intake and carburetor, however.
Although the engine no longer runs, it was coaxed back to life after some disassembly and several hours of work. Despite its age and condition, the El Camino was still strong enough to run on its own power.
The owner embarked on a 700-mile trip from Michigan to Tennessee, but the old Chevy struggled, particularly since the bed was filled with spare parts and a Suzuki motorcycle. After a few hundred miles, the El Camino gave up, leaving the driver with no clutch, no oil pressure, and a dead cylinder.
Despite these setbacks, the owner was able to fix the El Camino and park it in his shop after the long journey. The entire process is documented in a lengthy video, which you can watch below.
