Buying a classic can be a case of “swings and roundabouts.” That means that for every shortcoming, there’s a positive attribute that makes the vehicle extremely tempting. Such is the case with this 1965 Chevrolet El Camino. The seller admits its cosmetic flaws, but the fresh 350 Crate Motor under the hood adequately compensates for them. It also isn’t a case of this El Camino being a lost cause, because it appears that recapturing its youthful good looks could be pretty straightforward. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this beauty listed here on Craigslist in Salem, Oregon. You could drive the El Camino home after handing the seller $14,850.
When Chevrolet discontinued the El Camino at the end of 1960, it could easily have signaled the end for the badge. However, with Ford’s Ranchero enjoying sales success, Chevrolet unveiled a Second Generation El Camino in 1964. Based heavily on the Chevelle, the company performed a cosmetic upgrade in 1965, which is when our feature vehicle rolled off the line. I admire candor from sellers, and this one ticks that box. They admit that its dazzling Red paint is old, suggesting that while it looks good in the photos, close inspection will reveal imperfections. However, with no major bumps or bruises and no obvious rust, treating the El Camino to a cosmetic birthday could be straightforward and rewarding. The trim and glass look acceptable for that approach, and the vehicle rolls on Corvette aluminum wheels.
Okay, we’ve reached this El Camino’s party piece. It is unclear what drivetrain combination the first owner selected, but the seller has made that totally irrelevant. Lifting the hood reveals a 350ci four-bolt Vortec Crate Motor, courtesy of the fine folks at Summit Racing. The Holy Grail of engine output is commonly considered to be one horsepower per cubic inch. This V8 falls tantalizingly short of the mark, placing 345hp at the driver’s disposal. A three-speed Turbo 400 automatic transmission feeds the ponies to the rear wheels, while the vehicle also features headers, a dual exhaust, a heavy-duty aluminum radiator, and power steering. The seller confirms that the combination has clocked under 100 miles since the build ended, meaning it isn’t really broken in. Further miles will probably improve performance, but the seller states that the El Camino is fun to drive in its current form.
This El Camino’s exterior isn’t the only area that needs love; its interior looks a little tired. The Black vinyl seatcover is split, and the random assortment of aftermarket gauges appears to have been fired from a bazooka. However, the dashpad looks good, and the door trims might look okay following a deep clean. Someone installed a radio/cassette player with speakers in the kick panels, and there is an aftermarket tilt wheel that will make life more comfortable for the driver. The best approach to this interior would be for the buyer to inspect everything carefully before spending a dime, because a complete retrim may not be the best solution.
Classics like this 1965 Chevrolet El Camino can be entertaining vehicles. With curb weights typically low, owners can extract impressive performance from relatively modest motors. However, the V8 under the hood of this classic would allow it to spring a surprise or two at any “Traffic Light Grand Prix.” It is a promising project candidate, and it will be fascinating to discover if any readers are tempted to pursue it further.
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