454 V8 Pickup: 1974 Chevrolet El Camino

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Not to be outdone by Ford, Chevrolet created the El Camino in 1959. It was in response to the Ford Ranchero, which was sometimes called a “coupe utility (“UTE”) or a “gentlemen’s pickup”. Whatever the case, it was a truck based on a Chevy 2-door station wagon. This 1974 edition, based on the mid-size Chevelle, is in good driver-quality condition and sports a big-block 454 cubic inch V8. Located in Groveland, Florida, this versatile vehicle is available here on eBay where the current ante is $2,850 with no reserve.

The El Camino was part of the Chevy lineup through 1987. After a run of just two years in 1959-60, the nameplate disappeared until the new Chevelle came along in 1964. And it would be associated with that platform for the next 14 years. When GM began to move away from rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the El Camino was put out to pasture. During the Colonnade styling years of 1973-77, GM sold 56,096 “Utes” in 1974 alone, which included 51,223 “regular” El Caminos, 4,543 Super Sports, and 4,873 GMC Sprints (same truck, different badging).

This ’74 El Camino has only had two prior owners. It generally looks okay, though the paint is rough in a few places and the seller makes mention of a spot or two of rust. That’s stuff the buyer should plan to take care of but there’s likely no hurry. We’re told it’s accident-free and flood-free, so no worries there. The interior looks spotless and the fabric on the seats looks practically new, yet is original.

Pop the hood and you’ll find a 454, a large powerplant that would soon be on the way out in passenger cars as fuel consumption became a prime focus over performance. Horsepower ratings were down to 235 with emissions detuning and measuring output as SAE net. The seller says the pickup runs and drives great and uses the TH-400 automatic transmission. This looks like a truck you could put into service right away and fix it up the odds and ends and the paint as you-go – father-and-son type of project!

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Comments

  1. Big_FunMember

    Well, the engine is painted blue, so that led to research the VIN. This was a 400 2bbl small block from the factory, with the fifth digit being ‘R’. The engine should be painted orange, not blue in ’74. I believe not until 1977, with GM going to the ‘corporate engine/ corporate color’ policy…”What do you mean my 1977 Riviera has an Oldsmobile 403?” And so on and so forth.
    Careful going over those rural railroad tracks. It might get really loud.
    Tilt wheel and factory tach and gauges are nice. Does anyone know…was this the last year for the amp gauge?

    Like 11
    • ACZ

      Yes. The AMP gauge was replaced by the VOLT gauge for the 1975 model year.

      Like 1
  2. bobhess bobhessMember

    Can’t help on the engine color but this is one fine looking rig. For years we’ve been painting our engines the GM orange. It always caught my eye in the early cars so we just started using it.

    Like 7
  3. Robert Proulx

    A nice one but needs a lot of work to make it roadworthy. A complete exhaust is needed, every emission system is ripped out and just love the pcv inlet breather just lying there. On the plus side the insides is very nice and a good scrub will bring it to wow and the body is to say very nice. For a reasonable amount of cash and elbow grease this could be a winner

    Like 3
  4. BA

    Im no expert but those valve covers look pretty Rat (broad, snapper) like to me except the color so maybe it got a rattle can make over? The valve covers show several layers of paint in chipped areas.

    Like 1
    • Tony Primo

      Sure looks like a big block to me, but probably not the engine that the car was born with.

      Like 3
  5. Mr Dave

    It’s been sitting for a while, notice the right rear tire is physically coming apart. Looks pretty decent. Bid is up to $3150 now.

    Like 1
  6. ChevelleSS

    Ha! No complaints about the 454 regardless of where or when it came from! The ’74+ Elco’s were just plain dogs..yeah, IMO. The original 400/2bbl would sure have been better than the base 350, but still…bow wow wow!

    Like 3
  7. Rickirick

    36 bids, $5800 now. I graduated hs same year as this vehicle. Interior, at least, looks better than me almost 50 yrs. later. LOL

    Like 5
  8. William Milot

    I’d want the engine numbers off the pad in front of the alternator just to make sure what year and size it actually is, you’d be surprised how many people sell 366 bus engines as 454’s and play stupid hoping you don’t check the numbers! The “Blue” 454 could be anything from 77 to 84 and from anything from a Suburban (most commonly) to a Motorhome or Boat! I’d want to know what I’m getting before I’d bid just in case it’s not what the owner thinks it is when He purchased it.

    Like 1
  9. William Milot

    I meant to say “the pad in front of the right head behind the alternator” Sorry I got ahead of myself lol.

    Like 2
  10. Chevylubber

    A Lot of rust, salvageable though. Remember when this was a 700$ vehicle…

    Very expensive 454

    Like 0
  11. Steve

    IMO, this was the least attractive of all ‘Camino years.

    Like 1

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