UPDATE 3/15-2022 – Bidding on this one reached $5,500 and didn’t meet the reserve. The seller has relisted it, now with a BIN of $8,000, here on eBay. What do you think, will it find a buyer willing to step up to the asking price or will it stay parked?
FROM 3/11/2022 – Like Ford’s Ranchero, the Chevy El Camino was a “gentlemen’s pickup,” based on an automobile platform. After a two-year run in 1959-60, the truck returned in 1964 as part of the mid-size Chevelle line-up. There it remained through 1987 when GM retired the applicable rear-wheel-drive layout. This 1982 El Camino likely had a small-block V8 new, but now sports a 396 cubic inch engine from a Chevelle SS. From Jarrettsville, Maryland, the pickup has a sound drivetrain but steering issues that will need to be addressed. The Chevy is available here on eBay where the bids have reached $4,450 and the seller discloses that the reserve is $7,500.
The fifth and final generation of the El Camino was launched in 1978 at the same time the Chevelle was redone and rebranded simply as the Malibu. Although you could order an El Camino Super Sport with a 396 engine as recently as 1972, the biggest motor available in the truck by 1982 was a 350 cubic inch V8. Whatever was under the hood previously has since been replaced by a 350 hp version of the 396 engine out of a 1969 Chevy. It’s paired with a TH-350 automatic transmission and goodies like a transmission cooler, post-traction, an Edelbrock intake, a Holley 750 CFI dual feed double pump carburetor, and an aluminum radiator, plus more.
This El Camino has changed hands several times and is currently on its seventh owner. But the seller doesn’t think the truck has ever been in an accident, but it does have a bit of corrosion in both doors that should be addressed before it gets worse. The same is true along the bottoms of both rear quarter panels. The black paint is rough, so you might as well do a respray after you fix the rust. The driver’s floor pan has already been replaced and the bed and tailgate are said to be in decent condition.
You shouldn’t plan to drive the pickup home as there is an issue with the power steering box that could lock up on you while on the road. Not cool. The parts to fix it are estimated at $200 so it should only be labor on top of that unless you do it yourself. But things that shouldn’t require any attention on your part are the brakes, suspension, wheels, battery, and the exhaust, having been addressed more recently. These trucks aren’t terribly rare because more than 30,000 were built, but this might be the only one sporting an SS 396 motor!
This is a good concept for a malaise era El Camino, but as many BF readers have correctly brought up before a drivable car brings much more than a project car. A big question to the seller is why, really, didn’t you fix it THEN put it up for sale? If $200 is too much to spend to get it running then what else had fiscal corners cut?
My ‘64 and ‘72 El Camino’s were amongst my favorite Detroit iron, and this one would be fun but a buyer would really want to look this over closely IMO..
I have a suspicion that it needs a front suspension to handle all the extra weight that 396 has.
Totally agree. If it’s drivable, it’s sellable for more money.
Steering problems? Who needs reliable steering at a drag strip?
Big block with 750cfm and a th350 should be a great combination for good gas mileage!
Rust , steering box issues does not make this an attractive deal
Pass
Big, heavy engine up front and nothing in the bed should make it perfect for doing stoppies!
yea Terry wonder why the pics show the front of the car on jack stands, WTH? Bet that nose is low with the added weight. And I Agree with Nevada, if its only 2 bills to fix why not fix it. The idea of a big block intrigues me- I had a 79 wagon I puit a 300 hp 350 in, and it was one of the most reliable cars I ever owned. Best Tow Vehicle and I put 100k on it after I installed the v8. With the rust you would need to look good at the frame real good. Looker over good. get the bugs out of it and might be a good cruiser.
Cheers
GPC
BTW, Scammer is the high bidder. SMFH.
Nothing like selling a car on jack stands, it has the look of reliability
not a big chebby guy but this model I like (1st gen Riveria, Toranado) the last chevelle (3rd) in waggy, coup, sedan, vert, or camino. The square grill, the curved rear glass, head board. 5 motor choices, 3 or 4 trannys, a sales price when new – that matched av. salaries. A thumbs up here 👍🏻
Should’ve taken the $5500 top bid on the last listing IMO..
GM was really mailing it in.
At $8K FIRM! FIRM! (seller’s words), we will be seeing this one again. As others mentioned, $200 to fix, FIX IT! I still don’t think it’s worth $8k when the steering is addressed. I especially love the 3/4″ NPT tee fitting for the water temp sensors.
He has lowered the price to $7,500 firm as he says he is “tired of dealing with it”. The picture of it on jack stands has been removed.