Thanks to this lucky find by riveranotario at the Cohort, we can finally cover a notoriously obscure bit ot automotive history here at CC: The now proven existence of Buick’s LeChemin (El Camino in French, of course!) Let’s quickly resume; with Harley Earl away, a daring Bill Mitchell gave the go ahead to start new and wild designs for ’59 at GM’s styling studios. In the hectic days that followed, an eager young Chuck Jordan got started on a Buick pickup concept on his own, all in order to impress his Buick-loving superior. Mitchell was not amused: “You #$&% greenhorn! We’re already out on a limb defying Mr. Earl, and you come up with this?”
Luckily, some GM execs offered to take the concept away to ‘test it in foreign markets.’ Others say it was just an excuse for them to enjoy a jolly time in Cuba’s notorious casinos and brothels. Whichever the case, all traces of the concept got lost with the advent of ‘La Revolución Cubana’ in ’59. Rumors of its existence have swirled in the island ever since, some even claiming Fidel Castro took a liking to LeChemin, though not finding it ‘stately’ enough for official transport.
Well, here it’s, in the metal, confirming its existence. Of course, a number of automotive historians believe my claims are ‘beyond dubious’ and ‘just plain fiction.’ They all consider the current shot is just proof of Cuba’s mechanics ability to keep old American cars on the road. I disagree, wholeheartedly. But you dear reader, be the judge.
That’s a black paint job and a 1987 Grand National engine swap away from being the ultimate Buick.
OMG! Definitely would Not really rather have THIS Buick! Bad enough that Buick now seems fascinated by S(you)Vs. But a Buick TRUCK? And in 59? WTF? Oh how the Mighty have fallen! 🤮 🤮 🤮. 😉 😎
Given the plug-and-play nature of GM’s ’59s and the existence of the El Camino, I could readily imagine a GMC version with the Buick “face”, even if it still had Chevy fins and taillights.
What this looks like is a cobbled-up Cuban pick up truck with a 1959 Buick front end on it. There is nothing about it that looks like an El Camino. Also, El Camino is a Spanish name and Spanish is the language of Cuba – but they gave it a French name? Why wasn’t it called Le Route? That is what El Camino is when it is translated into French. Sorry, I don’t believe this. I need a bit more convincing.
Check out the license plate. This “Frankentruck” does come out of Cuba.
I would keep the naming American and just call it The Buick Sabretooth or Sabre Ute.
To quote that great philosopher, Sgt. Hulka:
1959 Buick El Camino
Now that’s a business coupe! Fabric sides on the trunk lid and a zip entry and you’ve got a camper as well.
The front half of the vehicle is showing it’s displeasure with the posterior.
The “Buick” is certainly interesting but doesn’t seem unusual in the context of what I’ve seen documented of Cuban cars. The Peugeot behind it with wide whitewalls – now that seems one of a kind, or at least not well documented. Though maybe it’s just a Peugeot body on a Lada or Hilux platform? That would be more Cuban.
The Franken-405 already exists, from the factory. The Peugeot ROA was a 405 body on the two decades older Hillman Hunter/Paykan platform produced in Iran. I’m not expert enough to tell if the pictured car’s one of those!
It’s interesting as the canted headlights give it a kinship to the Peugeot 504 pickup which channels that design itself even though overall there’s a lot of Citroen DS coming through on this Buick…
But I’m drawn to the 405 being it with the wide whites! Very stylish, like a set of white Doc Marten’s with a black suit.
It is actually a pretty well integrated design for a Cuban custom. What are the wheels? They almost look similar to air cooled VW ones but not quite.
I like this very much, keep the nail head V8 please .
If the bed is long enough to handle my Motocycles it’d make a dandy shop truck .
The yellow paint has gotta go though, I’ve had yellow vehicles I liked , maybe if this was a soft pastel yellow like Yukon / Alaska Yellow……
I like the black one too ! .
-Nate
That roof/windshield says former ambulance/”professional car” that has been cut down and converted. El Ambumino?
Large mirror(s) too.
Looks like it used to be an ambulance to me.
Pretty neat!
Actually, I heard it thru the horse’s mouth that Chuck Jordan called it the “Le Chemin de Fer” because he felt railroaded by GM management’s total disregard for his effort!
I personally would like to see this with a nice set of flames painted on the sides, that way it could be called Le Chemin de Feur.
Back to reality . . .
I suspect those rear truck fenders were custom made for this car, nothing else in the way of a slab-sided USA pickup bed comes close, and anything built in Europe or Asia would likely not be wide enough to match the Buick’s width. Plus, the curvature of the fender matches the Buick side curves. A pretty good creation compared to most of the botch jobs running around on the island.
Keep in mind that when discussing Cuban vehicles, it’s Possible that the bed was created to fit the body and chassis, and the chassis can be almost anything, even an older passenger car frame with various suspension bits from other vehicles. In looking at the wheel covers, they bear a striking resemblance to the early Russian Volga M21. And seeing as the M21 was one of the most popular used cars imported from the USSR, it kinda makes since.
The profile of the bed sides kind-of resembles a Phase 1 Standard Vanguard ute, but that’s a much smaller vehicle.
Uh, folks, anyone who wanted a Buick with a truck bed could get one from the same folks who made flower cars.
And everyone raves about the Batmobile why? That Buick is so fine.
Another great Cuban head-scratcher!
No one gets more respect from me than a person who builds a unique vehicle like the one featured on a extremely limited budget and have it turn out this nice.
El Maestro del Camino!
The bed continues the universal ’59 front door beautifully. It would truly fit into the post-Earl ’59 strategy.
Lots of laughs. Kudos to the creative converter! If I really would want one, the American flower car conversion is the way to go because of its replete appearance. I am almost 80 years old. Should I take up surfboarding, I will ask you all for a referral to a good flower car conversion company. While I did not find a new flower car, I did find this on my search: https://www.facebook.com/FlowerCarClub/ Have fun!