Unique UTE: 1960 Chevrolet El Camino Custom – Sold!

November 14, 2023 Update – A check of the Craigslist link revealed the Craigslist ad was flagged for removal, so what we thought was a weird resale likely was a scam posting. Despite the implementation of the five-dollar car listing fee several years ago, Craigslist still has its share of scammers.

November 6, 2023 Update – The Internet and GuysWithRides.com never forget a featured ride. When the San Diego-based seller of this 1960 El Camino deleted their Craigslist ad in August of 2023 after only one week, it was safe to assume this truck was sold.  Fast forward three months later, and it appears the buyer from last summer decided to list this same Ute for sale. We say that as the lone ad for this El Camino is now based in Oregon, and it appears they used several pictures from the first seller’s original ad. For that reason, we would tread lightly as it could be a scam ad as the current caretaker is now asking $17,000, a significant drop from the $24,000 asked last summer.

August 22, 2023, Update – First-generation Chevrolet El Caminos do not come up for sale that often, and when they do, they usually are not cheap.  With an asking price of $24,000, this mildly modified 1960 El Camino lasted only one week on Craigslist.  We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we can now call this one “SOLD!”

Most people remember the second through fourth-generation Chevrolet El Caminos, produced from 1964 through 1987 on General Motors (“GM”) intermediate rear-wheel-drive chassis.  However, many non-Chevy enthusiasts may not realize Chevrolet built the first generation El Camino based on the full-size “B” Body platform for the 1959 and 1960 model years.

Launched as a competitive response to Ford’s Ranchero, Chevrolet’s El Camino outsold its competitive offering in 1959. However, after Chevrolet saw sales decline to only 14,000 units in 1960, the GM division pulled the plug after only two model years. Four years later, Chevrolet relaunched a smaller, Chevelle-based El Camino designed to compete with Ford’s Falcon-based second-generation Ranchero.

This mildly customized flat-back 1960 Chevrolet El Camino for sale, last spotted in August 2023 on Craigslist in Ruston, California (San Diego), represents a rare opportunity to purchase a first-generation full-size El Camino.  Not only is it difficult to find one for sale, but at $24,000, this 1960 El Camino represents a great entry point for most Bow Tie enthusiasts.

Last offered for $24,000, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is well below this guide’s six-month rolling results trend for similar first-generation El Caminos produced between 1959 and 1960.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can get a sense of what comparable examples sold for recently:

As a second data point, the downloadable 2023 Old Cars Price Guide Big Book confirms the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #4 “Fair” (daily driver) estimate of $16,000 and it’s #3 “Good” appraisal of $36,000 for a completely stock example.

The 1960 Chevrolet El Camino is a classic car that falls into the category of a coupe utility vehicle, or “UTE” for short, combining elements of a car and a pickup truck. It was a unique vehicle that offered both the comfort of a passenger car and the utility of a truck bed.  Introduced in the 1959 model year in response to the success of the Ford Ranchero coupé utility, its first run, based on the Chevrolet Biscayne’s B-body, lasted only two model years.  Chevrolet would resurect the El Camino again in 1964 on the newly redesigned A-Body platform that year.

The 1960 El Camino featured a more refined and sleek design compared to its earlier version. It was built on the full-size Chevrolet platform, sharing many design cues with the Chevrolet passenger cars of the era. The front end had a prominent grille with horizontal chrome bars and dual headlights on each side. The body lines were smooth and flowing, creating an overall elegant appearance. The rear end featured stylish tailfins that were popular during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The interior of the 1960 El Camino was designed for comfort and convenience. It offered a spacious cabin with bench seating that could accommodate up to three occupants. The dashboard featured a simple yet functional layout, with a combination of analog gauges and controls for essential functions.

One of the highlights of the 1960 El Camino was the range of powertrain options available to suit different preferences and needs. Buyers could choose between various engines, including inline-six and V8 options. These engines were mated to manual or automatic transmissions, providing diverse performance and driving experiences.

The defining feature of the El Camino was its truck bed, which was integrated into the design seamlessly. The bed had a decent cargo capacity, making the vehicle suitable for carrying lighter loads, equipment, or even recreational gear. This versatility made the El Camino a popular choice for individuals who needed a vehicle that could serve as both a daily driver and a workhorse. Chevrolet boasted how the El Camino’s bed floor was the first produced in all steel for the brand.

The 1960 Chevrolet El Camino has left a lasting legacy in the automotive world. Its unique combination of style, comfort, and utility made it a desirable vehicle for a wide range of consumers. The El Camino line continued to evolve over the years, with subsequent generations adopting different design philosophies and adapting to changing market trends.

Today, the 1960 Chevrolet El Camino is cherished as a classic car, celebrated for its iconic design and historical significance. It remains a favorite among collectors, enthusiasts, and individuals who appreciate its blend of vintage charm and practicality.

The ACDelco Connect YouTube Channel features this 1959 Chevrolet video introducing the brand new El Camino:

While flat black might not be everyone’s favorite color, overall this 1960 Chevrolet El Camino custom for sale appears to be a very nicely restored piece benefitting from minor custom touches.

If you are serious about buying this El Camino, you can start the conversation by using the contact information provided by the seller in their Craigslist ad.  When you connect, please mention that you saw their rare Chevrolet Ute featured here on GuysWithRides.com. Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s uncapitalized and punctuated description:

Show or Go: What would you do with this 1959 Chevrolet El Camino for sale?  Please comment below and let us know!