![]() ![]() Also, most survivors have been customized, and original Y-block V-8s are hard to find. BEWARE: Rust is the common bugaboo, typically in floorpans and behind the wheels. ![]() RESTORING/MAINTAINING: The Ranchero is basically a 1957 Ford, so most parts are easily found from a large network of vendors who specialize in this era. " WHY IT'S COLLECTIBLE: The El Camino proved more popular, but the Ranchero was the first of the breed, and epitomizes Ford's ambitious design ethic of the mid-'50s. Plus, I like being able to go down to Pep Boys to get whatever I need. WHY I LIKE IT: "I like the look of the '57 Fords, and the Ranchero is something different. And they attract customizers who restomod them or make them lowriders or build them into traditional customs.GLENN ROGERS is a San Diego retiree and Ford devotee who sold his '59 Thunderbird to finance his restoration of the Ranchero to virtually bone-stock condition. It’s partly because 1959 Chevys are also easy, fun, and comfortable to drive.įor their flamboyance and enjoyable driving experience, 1959 Chevys attract restorers. We still see strong prices for equally flamboyant 1959 Cadillacs, even though many other ‘50s cars see a reduced amount of interest and value.īoth ’59 Chevys and Cadillacs have bucked that downward value trend. “The enthusiasm for the 1959 Chevys seems to be tied to their flamboyance. But it’s a safe bet that the ’59 restored El Camino for sale on eBay will continue to increase in value.Īngelo Van Bogart, Old Cars magazine editor, told us to keep an eye on 1959 examples. If the new owner wants to beef up the engine, there is a wide selection of V-8s that will fit under the hood.Įl Caminos were practical vehicles in their day. So are exterior (inner fenders to rear-view mirrors) and interior appointments (carpet sets to door handles). Specific El Camino parts, from taillights to emblems, are available. However, it has a unique aft from the front windshield. The orange “El Camino” above shares much of the front sheet metal with other Chevrolets. This “El Camino” is a homemade job based on a Nova station wagon. eBay Motors has a page of them, and some home-built examples not created in a GM factory. Today, any of the early El Caminos is a sought-after classic. Nonetheless, the model was back in the lineup for 1964. That beat the 14,169 Rancheros that Ford moved.īut orders plunged in 1960 to 14,163. The El Camino was a modest hit, with 22,246 produced in 1959, its first year. 1959 El Camino Craze: It’s Highly Collectible It was even seen as a drag-racing candidate. The El Camino was lighter than a sedan or coupe with a back seat. In that form, with a four-speed manual, seven-second zero-to-60 times were possible. It has a Bel Air interior and bare-bones Biscayne trim.īut the drivetrain option list was long and included many V-8s, right up to the Turbo-Thrust 348 with carburation yielding as much as 335 horsepower. The ’59 Ranchero, based on the Brookwood two-door station wagon, came in only one edition. The inspiration for the new category was the cute Australian “utes,” dating back to the 1930s. El Camino Historyįord led the way into the car-based trucks with the Ranchero, first appearing in 1957. ![]() The only worrying sign in the photos is the slathered-on undercoat. The car has 58,799 miles on the odometer. That’s enough to make it look cool but no less drivable. It’s lowered 2.5 inches in the rear and two inches in the front. The 1959 Chevy El Camino is now a daily driver in Rosemead, Calif. Under the hood is a 235-cubic-inch six, with three on the tree. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |