Produced for a mere two years originally, the Chevrolet El Camino was introduced in 1959 to rival the Ford Ranchero with a car-based pickup. Utilizing a chassis platform already in production with the Brookline wagon with heavy duty chassis, the El Camino was created to fill a void between a car and utility truck as a dual-purpose vehicle. Consider it as an early crossover, with borrowed styling cues from the Bel Air on the outside and Biscayne on the inside. Moreover, it could be purchased originally with any full- size powertrain offered by Chevrolet, including fuel injection! Unfortunately, with slow sales and the baby boom well underway, the El Camino was ahead of its time not surviving production after 1960, with just 14,163 produced that model year. Today, they are remarkably popular! And with the return of the model series in 1964, it obviously proved incredibly successful for General Motors, with El Camino production continuing through 1987.

Offered here is beautifully customized 1960 Chevrolet El Camino rotisserie restored in nut-and-bolt fashion between 2009-2014 by longtime custom car builder, John Dubois, owner of Mint Restorations Custom Street Rods based in the Tampa, FL area. He located this El Camino in Phoenix, Arizona and had it shipped to Florida for a complete, bare metal preparation with intentions to build it into a full modern custom. The chassis would be fully reinforced, smoothed and painted. The body received a shaved and smoothed firewall, as well as the underside of the hood, then painted professionally in Clean Silver Metallic throughout. The 3-piece bumpers were smoothed into one-piece units and tucked tight against the body, along with Impala stainless trim and moldings added for extra appeal.

During the process, modifications were made to accept a modern GM LS6 5.7L SMPFI V8 engine mated to a 4L60E 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission with auxiliary cooler. The suspension was prefabricated to adapt a RideTech ProRide 4-wheel air bag suspension system utilizing their StrongArm tubular upper & lower control arms, Level Pro automatic leveling sensors, and Shock Wave shock absorbers. At the rear, it retains its original axle, fully rebuilt internally with 3.70:1 gearing, new axles, and modern Eaton one-piece Posi-traction. Early dyno-testing proved a stout 350 horsepower at the rear wheels! A perfect balance for cruising and performance enjoyment alike!

Stopping power comes from a Wilwood Superlite 4R 6-pistion big brake system up front and SSBC rear disc brake conversion out back. On the ground are staggered Intro 5-spoke directional, 2-piece billet wheels wrapped in 225/40ZR19 tires up front, and 275/40ZR20 at the rear. No creature comforts were left out in the build process, with a Vintage Air Super Gen II system installed with recessed dash controls, along with power windows, power locks, center console, and Dakota Digital VHX instrumentation. The dash itself was also smoothed and relieved of the passenger side dished area, original ash tray, and factory heater controls, along with the radio receiving a clever, folding metal cover to conceal it from view. It creates a super clean, smooth finish without any distraction.

The one-off leather interior was skillfully executed by Design Unlimited based in Dade City, Florida with gorgeous results! The area behind the contoured bucket seats has been ingeniously converted into unique storage boxes with remote internal lighting. The audio is supplied through a Pioneer head unit in combination with Sony and Kicker Audio speakers, all skillfully fitted with a modern, factory presentation. The rear truck bed was measured and tasked to be fitted with traditional wood planking and stainless-steel dividers by Bed Wood & Parts. The wood would then be color-matched to the interior with red stain for a very impressive, eye-catching presentation. Closer examination of the bed floor you'll find a Firgelli electric-actuated remote door to access the RideTech Air Pod air compressor/tank system and relocated battery. There is a lot to admire on this custom El Camino, from the polished stainless-steel hardware used to assemble the entire vehicle, to the subtle things like tinted window glass.

Upon completion, it went on to win at the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association All American Nationals in 2014 when they visited Orlanda, Florida, and later that same year featured at the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Southeast Nationals in Tampa, Florida. It is an outstanding custom, and one you will quickly admire! And it remains a true showstopper even 10 years since its completion! Call with additional questions or to schedule a chance to review it in person.