The El Camino was a mid-size gentleman’s pickup based on the Chevelle from 1964-87. When that intermediate got redesigned in 1973, taking on a Colonnade look, so did the El Camino although the styling was less obvious as a truck. This survivor from 1975 seems to be in exceptional original condition for its age and has less than 35,000 claimed miles. It can be found in Guymon, Oklahoma and here on eBay where the opening bid of $16,999 is still waiting for a taker.
1964 was not the first time that Chevy flirted with a pickup like this. The El Camino actually had a two-year run as a full-size model in 1959-60, but GM didn’t go any further with it at the time. It had been in response to Ford doing the same thing with the Ranchero in 1957, but in 1960 Ford changed directions and made it into a compact based on the new Falcon. That’s when Chevy decided to take a break. The 1975 was right in the middle of the 4th generation of the truck. They had a new grill that year, giving the El Camino a fresh appearance. GM switched to a high-energy ignition system (HEI) which provided spark to the plugs with minimal maintenance and increased power, helped by a larger distributor cap that provided better high-RPM performance.
Several engine choices were available in the El Camino in ’75, including the 400 small-block V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor that was rated at 175 SAE net horsepower. The seller tells us that the motor fires right up and the car drives smoothly down the road. But he also reminds us that it’s no hot rod given the state of detuning and so forth happening with Detroit in the 1970s. The TH-350 automatic does its job properly and somehow only 35,000 miles have been accumulated in 46 years. Everything is original, as far as the seller knows, except things like tires, exhaust and battery. The alternator and started have both been replaced and the originals saved for the next owner.
The original paint shines up nicely and the pickup looks really good. But if search hard enough, you’ll find some pin-size chips in a couple of places and a small spot in the bed where something may have spilled and left an imprint. Otherwise, the cargo area hardly looks as though it has been used. We presume the seller is the truck’s third owner as he refers to the elderly second owner mentioning that it has never spent a night out in the elements. The matching interior looks really nice and everything works except the clock (horrors!). The factory air blows cold as it should.
Despite the energy crisis that was in full swing by 1975, Chevrolet still built more than 33,600 of these stylish pickups. Hagerty is less optimistic on the truck’s value than the seller as they peg Good at $10,200 and Excellent at $15,000. But few vehicles like this would have seen such low mileage after all these years, so that should be worth a premium. It may only take one bid for someone to take this red/burgundy beauty home!
This is by far the best looking Colonnade El Camino I have ever seen. Nice find, Russ.
Just wow!
Price is right I think.
I was never a huge fan of the styling on these, but the condition on this is fabulous. I see NOTHING that tells me the mileage isn’t as stated, but a photo of the upholstery would have been nice. The master cylinder barely has any surface rust on it, as well as the motor. Looks to be a little corrosion on the booster, but this is a clean unit for sure, especially the bed. The price seems a tad high, but where are you gonna find one nicer? Would like a look under that oil filler cap too… Someone will be proud to drive this for sure. That 400 will wake up nicely with a few parts too.
It’s nice, but the Colonnade’s, 73-77’s, have never really caught on with the hulk of enthusiasts. Both the earlier and models are much more sought after. This is priced for perfection, it’s not quite there, the owner will likely have a long wait until a buyer comes along.
Steve R
True. This one is extremely nice, but it is an original 1975 ElCamino. Not many people want one and all those rubber parts (i.e. valve seals and control arm bushings) are going to need some attention. The 400 has no compression, so you ain’t waking it up unless you remove the motor and spend some bucks. Those bucks on top of $15k?
I never warmed up to this body style,but this one
looks good in this color combination,& overall condition.
This design was a huge step backwards from the ’72s.
Yeah, I don’t like them either
I didn’t know the 400 is a small block.
The small block was available as a 400 in the 70’s. There was also a 402 big block that Chevrolet sold as a 400. In a couple years both were offered in the same model lines, causing some confusion.
I like El Caminos, I’ve had a few, including new ones in 71 and 77 (I still have the 71). This looks like a very nice example, and I don’t think the price is at all out of line.
I had a 77 Classic model with the stacked headlamps here in Australia, still LHD and a great daily driver, it had the swivel buckets and center console shifter auto. biggest problem was the plastic window and door surrounds inside, typical 70’s plastic that crumbled into dust and new ones weren’t made, I considered fiberglass but sold it before giving that a try. The car was red with a white hood and side stripe to the rear, always got good comments from strangers.
A 400 can be a small block and I never thought I would see one of these that I liked. When I was a kid my brother and I hated a neighbor that used to go berserk every time we did anything. Through the lens of time, of course, it was evident that we were the jerks. He had a green el camino like this (IIRC a 1974 model). We had some minor dispute with him and then made a habit of throwing apples at him, his car, his house, whatever. Yes, we got in trouble and had to mow his lawn for period of time to repay him. Ray, RIP.
Why did GM abandon the rally wheel?
Styles of everything get dated after a while. And these rally wheels were introduced in 1966 for the ’67 models. They had run their course.
#Torque
LOVE the style… Great to see more of these as they sold many of them in the day.. will sell quick at that price..
When someone says El Camino, this is what I see! I’ve always liked these colonnade El Caminos. This would be second, behind a tangerine ‘73 SS with a black vinyl top and Turbine I wheels. The ‘67 is the nicest prettiest, the “68-72 are the rowdiest, but these are just right. The ‘78-‘87 are okay but it seems like every old fart bought one and kept it low mileage.
The bad news is 3 days with no bids.
The good news is 66 viewers are watching.
This is a good looking car.
I had a 59 El Camino. Painted it black cherry, 327 , big pin Muncie 4 speed 3.36 p-trac, even 4.11 for a while. Owned it when I got married. It was my combination hot rod/pickup. Hauled motorcycles, wood,etc. Looking back it didn’t handle or brake good, but I sure enjoyed it at 5he time.
With all due respect, why are people so anxious to replace an original engine with some high horsepower behemoth? (‘Ladies and Gentlemen, announcing the new 2021 Behemoth!’) Obviously, I’m not a mechanical genius.
I was never a fan of this body style at all, but after 46 years, it is growing on me by just a fraction. This is a really nice appearing survivor, but I’ll keep my 70 SS396!
I was never a big fan of these either, but they are starting to grow on me too. This one is beautiful, and could definitely do worse for the money. Enjoy that SS396!
Why the term ‘colonnade’ re the body design? Google & Webster definitions don’t help. Anyone know?
It’s just a term someone on Madison Ave. coined to describe the style of the 1973-’77 GM A-body family of cars. The word itself has no meaning in automotive terms.
Actually, the term “Colonnade” means “pillared” in architectural jargon.
Due to the threat of federal rollover regulations, with the introduction of the 73 A bodies GM abandoned the Pillarless – or fully open with no B pillar design that had become so popular – in favor of a more heavily reinforced structure. Hence the term Colonnade.
If that brings 16k I’ll stop crushing them, window sticker was $5800 with no miles and a warranty
Yeah say that to the mopars crushed and everything else that goes up in price….. disposed of….all of our history lost…
I had a ’72 El Camino, 350 with 4 speed back in ’76-’77. Loved the car, so did the local police as I got two tickets within 3 weeks just going through the gears and surpassing the 45 mph limits. Had to sell after getting married as my sife never could get the hang of driving a stick shift.
Regarding this nice looking ’76, a 400 can be worked on and turn out some nice power, but its not cheap. I have a 400 in a ’76 Avanti that was dynoed at 478 hp and 570 lbs torque after being overhauled and E.F.I. added. Of the original 400 motor, block, crank, oil pan are about the only things still original.
One point of contention, Russ:
The El Camino was based on the Chevelle from 1964 to ’77, not ’87. From 1978 to ’87, the El Camino was based on the Malibu. The Chevelle name died in ’77, Killed off because everyone was calling them Malibus anyway.
This is a nice car however I do not see any practical use. You wouldn’t take it to Lowes and haul building materials. It is too nice.
I never cared for the slab sided El Caminos of this vintage. They rusted away in short order. I prefer the 68-70s
food for thought: I noticed the picture of the wheel cover on the spare tire. That is probably the first time I have ever seen one. My 81 had its spare tire placed in the storage area when I bought it. I never missed with it until the other day when I took it out to discover that it was flat. I filled it up only to discover that it would not fit back into the storage space. The air in the tire made it a tad bit fatter. So I placed it like this one facing upward behind the passenger seat, and put a gunny sack over it to help protect the back part of the seat area. I actually kind of liked it where it was before. Oh well – I would rather have it filled with air than not.