OFFICIALS SAY THE HONOR REFLECTS THEIR COMMITMENT TO SAFER ROADS. NOW, YOU’LL NEVER LET GO OF A GOOD THING. AND ONE ALBUQUERQUE WOMAN AND HER VINTAGE TRUCK HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR OVER 50 YEARS. HERE’S ERIC GREEN IN TODAY’S AUTO AMBUSH. THEY USED TO CALL THIS THE CADILLAC. IN THOSE DAYS OF TRUCKS. LUPE GUTIERREZ KNEW THIS 1958 CHEVY CAMEO PICKUP WAS SPECIAL. WAY BACK IN 1971. AND WHEN A FRIEND CAME UP TO HER AND HER HUSBAND NEEDING TO SELL, THEY RUSHED TO COME UP WITH THE $900 ASKING PRICE. I KNOW YOU’LL TAKE CARE OF THIS. WOULD YOU PLEASE BUY IT FROM ME BECAUSE I NEED THE MONEY? ORIGINALLY BLUE WITH WHITE TRIM, BLUE PAINT. HER HUSBAND PAINTED IT SILVER ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, BUT OTHERWISE THIS SPECIAL BODIED CAMEO REMAINS IN NEAR PERFECT CONDITION. CHEVY’S FIRST ATTEMPT AT A PRETTY LUXURY TRUCK. THEY ONLY MADE A FEW THOUSAND PER YEAR IN THE MID 1950S, AND ARE A VERY RARE SIGHT TODAY. LUPUS HAS THE HIGHLY DESIRED WRAP AROUND REAR WINDOW AND A 283 V8 ENGINE WITH A THREE ON THE TREE. MANUAL TRANSMISSION A PERFECT COMBO FOR TOWING. WE PUT A TEARDROP ON IT AND OFF WE GO AND IT’S PRETTY COMFORTABLE. AND IT DOES ATTRACT ATTENTION. SLEEPING FOR TWO. SOME COOKING AMENITIES AND GREAT ROUTE 66 TRIBUTE ARTWORK COVERING IT. THIS TRUCK AND TRAILER ARE THE PERFECT COMBO FOR NEW MEXICO’S MOTHER ROAD. THE KIDS LOVE IT. KIDS LOVE IT. THEY GO. WE WANTED TO DO THE ROUTE 66 THING, BUT MAYBE JUST IN NEW MEXICO. LUPE HAS BEEN DRIVING THIS CAMEO PICKUP FOR 55 YEARS NOW, TURNING DOWN COUNTLESS OFFERS TO SELL WITH THE NEW TRAILER, IT’S HARD TO KNOW HOW MANY MORE MILES THEY WILL GO BEFORE SHE PASSES IT DOWN TO HER DAUGHTERS. WELL, ERIC, THANK YOU. I LOVE THESE AUTO AMBUSHES. AUCTION SALES FOR A MINT CONDITION CHE
Lupe Gutierrez of Albuquerque 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.>>> See more classic cars on the Auto AmbushOriginally 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.>>> Learn more about Route 66 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.”Kids love it…kids love it!” Gutierrez said, noting the positive reactions she receives.”They go…(motions thumbs up),” she added.”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.
Lupe Gutierrez of Albuquerque 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.
>>> See more classic cars on the Auto Ambush
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.
“Kids love it…kids love it!” Gutierrez said, noting the positive reactions she receives.
“They go…(motions thumbs up),” she added.
“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.
