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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  30 Apr 2017 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  37
• Lot Description:
  1959 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO
  Chassis no: G59 A140044. This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Notes:
  Following the success of the Ford Ranchero and somewhat on their toes by its luxurious status as a pick-up, Chevrolet retaliated with the 1959 El Camino. Not only was this ute the coolest thing America had seen but it was also purportedly the fastest utility in the world! The most dazzling feature of the El Camino and in fact most Chevy’s of that era is the over exaggerated tailfins. Timeless Fifty’s Americana at its best Chevrolet used the same fly-away style features as seen on the 1959 hard-top sedans. Although most of the El Camino is for show, Chevrolet made sure it was practical, too. The cargo area, or as we would say in Australia, in the back, has a double-skinned load bed with a strengthened ribbed-steel floor. But as big is best, there is also stowage behind the seats. The El Camino’s adaption from the sedan range was a stroke of design genius where the twin headlights of the 1958 passenger sedan were also used. As luxury was one of the all-important aspects to take on Ford’s market share held with the Ranchero, an air-conditioning system was available for a whopping $468. The panoramic wraparound windshield offered good visibility but were also highly fashionable in the 1950s. The cats-eye tail lights were unique to the period and were beautifully split to accommodate the El Camino’s tail-gate. The standard engine was 6-cylinder but a range of V-8s were available being the 283 ci, in 4 states of tune from 185-290bhp. But, the 5 big-block 348 ci options produced between 250bhp and 315 bhp. A sensible Positraction LSD was incorporated. In the Detroit fashion of the 1950’s, the El Camino had a solid rear axle with a Panhard rod and control arms to maintain the axle in place, helped with coil springs to smooth out the ride. The Corvette floor mounted 4-speed transmission was the premium option but the 3-speed manual column shift was offered as standard. If this ute is not awesome enough in its style-house extreme, it is also a boggling 210.9 inches long and 79.9 inches wide. This beautiful 1959 El Camino was purchased from the previous owner in Orlando, Florida, in 2012, who had been the Chief of the New York Police Department. The car had a history of being well looked after and then underwent a full restoration over a 3-year period. This included a replacement authentic 1959 numbered motor which is believed by the previous owner builder, to produce about 290hp. This striking El Camino has enjoyed much success in classic car shows and has received awards for First Place in the Chevy Classics Winter Nationals in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and well as a Silver and Platinum Certificates at the Kissimmee Annual Winter Nationals hosted by the Classic Camaro Club for both Senior Custom and Custom category where it scored a 985 and 944 out of 1000 respectively. It has also won People’s Choice and Director’s Choice awards at the America G.M. Day and other custom car shows where the car is much enjoyed in Australia for its exceptional restoration and striking presentation. A cache of trophies will accompany the purchase of this car. The custom work to the car includes the 1959 Impala interior. It retains its original air-conditioning system and an updated radio AM/FM/6 -disc music system. This amazing machine is powered by the big-block 348ci engine with 3 2-barrel Holley carburettors, matched to a 700R4 transmission feeding into dual exhausts. This car has a mere 14,000 miles approx. on the clock since its nut and bolt restoration. The original features are in working order including the electric windows and the car retains the rear fibreglass Tonneau cover made specifically for the 1959 El Camino. The coolest of the cool, this 1959 El Camino ute is proudly brought to auction by Mossgreen where a discerning buyer has an opportunity to buy this unique and fun loving car for enjoyment and high style for years to come in a car that meets the collector’s criteria in so many ways.
• Estimate:
  A$54,000 - 60,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.