From 1964 through 1987, the El Camino was a fixture in the Chevrolet line-up, something of a “gentleman’s pickup” that was linked to the Chevelle during this period. Like the Chevelle, they could be had in SS models and with big-block V-8 engines. The seller’s 1974 El Camino comes with the latter, a 454-motor paired with a 4-speed manual, but we don’t know if it runs. Nampa, Idaho is where you can find this “truck” and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,000.
Chevy first tried the El Camino concept in 1959-60 on the full-size platform with mixed results. Unlike a regular pickup truck, the El Camino was adapted from the standard 2-door Chevrolet station wagon and integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. After a three-year hiatus, the El Camino made a comeback on the mid-size Chevelle and finally found its footing. Every time the Chevelle was restyled or reworked, the El Camino followed suit. Its 4th generation would run between 1973-77, including the seller’s pickup which saw production of 56,000 units, including about 4,500 that were SS models.
The seller says he bought this ’74 El Camino but now has no time to restore it and no place to keep it. That leads us to believe that the limited dark, dirty barn photos we see are from before his purchasing the vehicle. We’re told it needs some work but doesn’t go into any detail about what he means. We’re guessing its problems are mechanical as what we can see of the body and paint don’t look bad. Unfortunately, there aren’t any images from under the hood, inside the passenger cabin or of the all-important bed. So, this truck in a bit of a mystery.
The fender badges say it’s a 454, but there is no evidence of it being an SS model which would have been a logical pairing. The seller confirms it has a 4-speed and claims the El Camino has 10,000 miles on it, which would make it an amazing find, if true. The 454 was a pretty tame machine compared to what it was just a couple of years earlier, where detuning and a change to net ratings dropped the horsepower output to just 235. The resale value on these vehicles isn’t lofty as Hagerty says fair is around $5,000 and top-drawer is under $20,000. So, if the seller gets his asking price, that doesn’t leave a lot of room for the buyer to correct whatever ills this El Camino may have.
I never really cared for the iteration of the El Camino, but the engine transmission combo makes it interesting. One would need to do a personal inspection on this one, as there is a lack of information in the ad! GLWTS!! :-)
Its living in its own private Idaho .
I wonder if its under a tin roof rusted…B52s 🙃
This needed more pictures. The body looks good but no interior or under hood.
Whether its 10000 or 1000000000 doesn’t really matter as not proved.
I like the four speed 👍
For $10 large, you’d think the seller could pull it out for photos.
454 Big Block , luck if it runs..
Agree with the others on the lack of info and pics. If it checked out okay, would offer maybe $5k.
Lets pull out of the barn with a chain around the front bumper as a rust test. Smart as a potato, lol!
If it is what it is, be a nice catch to restore’ with some ‘mods to the 454 just a rebuild and cam intake headers ect. Change ‘give er some thump
I had a 77 Malibu wagon with 4 rectangular single beam headlights that had been wrecked and had this exact nose grafted on, but with a vertical-bar grille. I would kill to have it back. My heart skipped a beat at the 1st photo, thought my half-hearted search was over
If it is what it is be a nice catch to restore with some mods to the 454 just a rebuild and cam intake headers Change give some Thump
I wonder why it isn’t selling?. Maybe it’s because there are only a few half assed pictures and an even worse description. I wouldn’t walk next door to look at it.
And if you’re lucky, there will be some REALLY nice patina under that dust and grime!
By the time the 1974 models came out, big blocks and 4 speeds had become as rare as hen’s teeth. There can’t be very many made with this combo and there can’t be many left.
74 was the last year for the 4 speed in the Chevelle/El Camino. The last year for the big block in that series was 1975. Weren’t many to begin with.
Looks as if it sold. Wonder how much he got?
Sold for $10,000.
I had a 73 350 version of this Camino. Updated the ignition to Petronix, replaced the intake with an edelbrock and also the Carb and deleted much of the egr and smog junk. Got her painted black and did 17″ Vision wheels. Enjoyed her for 6 yrs and sold it. Was alot fun and pretty fast!
Dammit was all set to go look at it & its sold already. Had a nice plan in my head for this last Cat free year. It Figures.
When you snooze, you loose!
I had a ’74 Malibu Classic with the 454-4bbl-4sp, positraction and swivel bucket seats. Otherwise, stripped to the bone with rubber mats, no radio, do defogger,manual windows…unfortunately it rotted out in places I’ve never seen a car rust before.
I have the mate to this one I ordered it in July of 73 it is the elcamino classic with the 454 -4 speed transmission i now have a 5 speed in it still own it copper color from new
Last year for muncie 4-speed!