Woman cherishes vintage Chevy Cameo she's driven for 55 yearshttps://www.ketv.com/article/vintage-chevy-cameo-pickup-truck/70825068?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&fbclid=IwY2xjawQur0ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeq3yayGl09IvmyRWfHmeLUUlsm3wjl42js8OYTl6GRljYiBiYPX5eIAKNRp4_aem_Oi7ZjUz2PFWRAJVDm7oatwLupe Gutierrez of Albuquerque, New has been driving her cherished 1958 Chevy Cameo pickup for 55 years, a vehicle she and her husband acquired in 1971 for $900 from a friend in need. Known as the "Cadillac of trucks" in its day, the Cameo was Chevy's first attempt at a luxury truck, with only a few thousand produced annually in the mid-1950s, making it a rare sight today.
"They used to call this the Cadillac - in those days - of trucks," Gutierrez said.
Originally blue with white trim, Gutierrez and her husband painted the truck silver about 15 years ago, but it remains in near-perfect condition. The Cameo features a highly desired wrap-around rear window, a 283 V8 engine, and a "3 on the tree" manual transmission, making it ideal for towing.
"We put a tear drop on it...and off we go! And it's pretty comfortable, and it does attract attention," Gutierrez said.
The truck and trailer, adorned with Route 66 tribute artwork, offer sleeping accommodations for two and cooking amenities, making them perfect for exploring New Mexico's Mother Road.
"We wanted to do the Route 66 thing, but maybe just in New Mexico," Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez has turned down countless offers to sell the Cameo, planning to eventually pass it down to her daughters. With the new trailer, it's hard to know how many more miles they will go.
Auction sales for "mint condition" Chevy Cameo pickups typically range from $80,000 to $120,000.