To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Guyton
Collection event, 4 - 5 May 2019.
Estimate:
$20,000 - $30,000
- Powered by a 327-cu. in. V-8
- Equipped with power steering and brakes and automatic
transmission
- Ideal for Cars & Coffee or weekend cruising
In today's label-driven marketing, the El Camino would be
considered a crossover - a vehicle built on a car chassis while
offering truck utility. Such was not the case when Ford introduced
the concept with its Ranchero in 1957. It was a pickup truck in
fancy clothes; really, nothing new when you consider a Ford Model A
was available with a pickup bed in the late 1920s. The Studebaker
Coupe Express was a similar notion, too. Nonetheless, Ford is
largely given credit for introducing the "ute" with the
Ranchero.
Chevrolet responded two years later in 1959 with the El Camino
built on the full-size Chevy chassis. GM produced the car for just
two years when it disappeared after 1960, only to reappear in 1964
on the all-new mid-size Chevelle chassis where it remained
throughout the rest of its lifetime. Built on the 119-in. Chevelle
wagon chassis, the El Camino afforded �-ton carrying capacity with
car-like comfort and convenience. Options mirrored the rest of the
Chevelle line-up, including high-performance Super Sport equipment
like the "big block" 396 and 454-cu. in. V-8s during the Muscle Car
era.
Although incorporating much the same structure under the skin, the
El Camino received updated sheet metal for 1966 just like its
Chevelle sibling. Unlike the 1964-1965 rendition, styling was much
less angular and boxy than previous models. Two models were
available, standard and Custom. A total of 34,724 were produced for
the model year, including 24,337 Customs like this example.
Wearing Tuxedo Black over a red vinyl bench seat interior, this El
Camino is equipped with a 327-cu. in. V-8. The trim tag/vehicle
identification number indicates this El Camino to be equivalent to
Malibu trim, which identifies it to be a Custom model. It sports an
SS grille and hood, and options include power steering and brakes,
automatic transmission, AM radio, and Rally wheels fitted with
blackwall tires. An under dash tachometer is installed to the left
of the steering column. It joined the Guyton Collection in November
1998. This will serve as an ideal vehicle for Cars & Coffee events
or local cruise nights.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/gc19.
