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Abbreviated! Shorty 1965 El Camino

I’m guessing your first question was similar to mine after viewing this shortened El Camino — why? Regardless of the reasoning, at least this “shorty” didn’t compromise the passenger compartment like most I’ve seen. It’s for sale here on eBay where bidding is already over $5,000! The abbreviated car-truck can be picked up in Waterford, Pennsylvania if you are the winning bidder.

The seller tells us that the vehicle was “professionally” shortened, with about two feet removed from the bed. From this angle I like it better than I do from the direct side as in the first picture, but it still looks wrong somehow. Since it’s not stock anyway, I applaud the wheel choice. I wonder if some sort of damage prompted the conversion, or if someone just wanted to reduce the utility of an already moderately useful vehicle.

think the odd color variation in the bed is due to sun fading; possibly it’s just regular paint on top of bed liner coating? One other strange thing is that based on this stock 1965 El Camino shortening was done both in front of and behind the rear wheel. I guess that was done to preserve some type of proportion, but it seems like a lot of extra work to me. The tailgate appears to be unchanged from stock, so at least the bed is fully functional.

Nothing terribly unusual here, and apart from what might be more sun fading (or a washed-out photograph), the interior is in pretty decent shape. While I appreciate that no cutting was done to install the speaker visible on the floor behind the seat, I’d rather see it in some sort of enclosure.

I wasn’t expecting a big-block under the hood; the seller tells us it’s a fresh 396 cubic inch version and has a mild cam and headers. Given the shortened wheelbase and unusual weight distribution, I’m guessing this shorty might be a handful on the road. What do you think of this stubby little car-truck?

Comments

  1. Avatar slickb

    I love it!!!!!!!!! I need one

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    • Avatar Richard Ochoa

      Then simply Out Bid the high bidder!!!

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      • Avatar Richard Ochoa

        I feel Jamie has it right when he asked: Can some sort of Damage have prompted this Conversion????

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  2. Avatar flmikey

    …betcha those rear wheels spin like pinwheels…wonder what it will cost to bring it back to original, as that would be my goal…weird but nice find!

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    • Avatar Steve R

      As alluded to in the write up, these shortened cars were not pristine to begin with.

      For $12,500 you should be able to find a pretty nice 65 El Camino so there would be no reason to bother with this if the goal was “to bring it back to original”.

      Steve R

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  3. Avatar LAB3

    That’s a lot of work to do and I’m not sure why you would do it but damn, thumbs up to the skills of the ones that did it!

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  4. Avatar gbvette62

    This is a perfect example of just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

    I love El Caminos, and 65’s are one of my favorite years, but this one doesn’t do anything for me. The proportions are just all wrong.

    To flmikey’s comment about being able to spin the rear tires on that thing, I can tell you from experience, it doesn’t take much power to smoke the tires on any El Camino. None of them have any weight in the back, and most easily spin the tires.

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  5. Avatar Larry Short

    Looks great for the model. If any vehicle can be shortened the ElComino is the better canadate. It still looks good for a One of one. 👍🏻

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  6. Avatar Poptheclutch

    I own a 83 el camino.
    And I’m like no way this person
    Cut up this 65.😣

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  7. Avatar dan

    rock crawlers been doing this mod for years, so convert it to 4×4 and crawl it:)

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  8. Avatar Rick

    Whoever did this. Should have his or her torch away.

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  9. Avatar AF

    Wouldn’t want to be seen in that. Need a mullet wig and some big shades.

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    • Avatar 57Chevy

      And a FULL face mask! Shame on the person who Ruined this nice El Camino!

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Chebby Member

    Put a porta-potty in the back and you got a mobile home, son!

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  11. Avatar Milt

    Should have just bought a Subaru Brat and avoided all the extra work.

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  12. Avatar Madbrit

    Maybe he couldn’t get two full length cars in his trailer?

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  13. Avatar RoKo

    If I were to get that, I’d have to factor in how much it would cost to undo the butchering and make it a proper car again.
    In other words, the seller would have to give me the car for free and many thousands of dollars.

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  14. Avatar John C Cargill

    Why? Obviously brain damage.

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  15. Avatar Craig

    I like it when people Think outside the box. It’s a nice well put together car. It’s not as if it’s a rat rod that somebody threw together and who knows if it’s even safe to drive. I’ve owned many El Camino’s and let’s face it you’re not gonna use the classic to take trash to the landfill. You might put groceries or something simple like that. I never like that really long bed on those cars anyway. Don’t be so quick to chop peoples cars and dreams up because there’s an ass for every seat.I like it. And best of all it’s a Chevy.

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    • Avatar Brian Crowe

      I agree and I love it. Mainly because it’s different and it’s so cute and little with a big block.

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    • Avatar Frank dillard

      I think I bought the Shorty that everyone is talking about here and I run across this site today the one I bought has a black bed I think it was painted a different steering wheel and different bucket seats and different motor and tranny but thanks for the positive note

      Like 0
  16. Avatar ROTAG999

    Might stretch it back out with the Rat Loud pedal held to the floor !

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  17. Avatar Nick_Soapdish

    Throw on a canopy and it would look like a big-ass hatchback.

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  18. Avatar DB

    I like it! I have owned several El Caminos and applaud the workmanship in this one, doesn’t at all look cobbled.

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  19. Avatar Camaro guy

    I think if it was lowered about 2″ and radius the rear wheel opening it might not look quite as stubby and a lot less work than trying to put it back to stock just say’n

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  20. Avatar JW

    I thought it was a Subaru Brat when I first looked at the pic but then seen the headline. I may not like the car but I like the skills and visions that make someone do this to their car. I like to be different and I sure would be in the featured car.

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  21. Avatar Loco Mikado

    Why do people take a perfectly good car with very nice proportions and cut them down to looking very ungainly like this example? If there was some sort of damage they would have been money ahead to repair it rather than end up with this monstrosity. Wrong in so many ways IMO.

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    • Avatar Jacj R

      It proves one thing….don’t drink alcohol and work with a torch at the same time!

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      • Avatar Richard Ochoa

        I will Second that one Jacj !!!!!!!

        Like 0
  22. Avatar Troy s

    Wow, a short bed El Camino! Nice work too, the why or for what reason is strictly up to the owner/builder here. Straight side view brings out the worst in the car, not bad from other angles though. But really, a warm 396? That’s overkill here, traction is on par with a 427 Nova fitted with mini bike wheels.

    Like 0
  23. Avatar ACZ

    Someone actually got paid to do this to a perfectly good El Camino!?!?!?!?!?!

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    • Avatar Metoo

      I think it looks pretty cool. And what the heck, who needs the full bed. It’s not like these were ever heavy haulers.

      Like 0
  24. Avatar Richard Ochoa

    Then simply Out Bid the high bidder!!!

    I think he had a Short Garage! & a small brain to match!!!!

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  25. Avatar brucespoint

    The short bed is just the right size to fit upright and across, a pair of slicks, spare pair of smoker streets, all contained by the wheelie bars, for strip. Went ot school w/friend with a 65 SS396 camino. It ate tires for grins, unless an egg under the petal. This is pure hoon, and we Love it!
    Bet there’s a story of a sudden stop, anda body shop w/time on its hands.

    Like 0
  26. Avatar brucespoint

    Stock, these are the definition of: tail happier that a 6 month old hound.
    I see a little too much gas, bit of a swing chasing it… looped, ending on a bollard/telephone/light standard just behind the cab. Nobody would do this to a straight one, but wrap it around something… Fair game.
    They are a ball as is, this just moreso, and less overhang.
    b.

    Like 0
  27. Avatar brucespoint

    Stock, these are the definition of: tail happier that a 6 month old hound.
    I see a little too much gas, bit of a swing chasing it… looped, ending on a bollard/telephone/light standard just behind the cab. Likely in the gym parking lot at home or a rival. I come from a likely local.. and time.
    Nobody would do this to a straight one, but wrap it around something… Fair game.
    They are a ball as is, this just more-so, and less overhang.
    b.

    Like 0
  28. Avatar 88V8

    Good. I like. Well executed.
    Big block hauling a mid-size body. What’s not to like.
    And I bet it’s still longer than my Land Rover.
    Standard cars are ten a penny, the world does not need another standard El Camino.

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  29. Avatar Adam T45 Staff

    Usually small cars aspire to be larger cars. Rarely does a larger car aspire to be smaller. This is an El Camino that aspires to be a Suzuki Mighty Boy! As for the damage that may have inspired this creation? Please insert the word “brain” here!

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  30. Avatar CanAm302

    Too much rear overhang – you’ll take out a flag on an autokhana course :)

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  31. Avatar Lawyer George

    It went to $5600 but apparently did not sell. It made me cry to see it. Had owner taken a 1965 Chevy or Ford 1/2t and sawed the end of of one of those, It would be much easier to swallow. But to take a $10K ElCamino and give it a butt tuck is a body-shaping exercise that has failed before the first cut is made. It turns $10K into $5K with a slip of the wrist.

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  32. Avatar Frank Dillard

    I looked at the pictures of this El Camino and I do not know if it is the same one because I have purchased an El Camino Shorty and it looks very similar except the motor and interior are different the one I have has a new 350 with a 350 turbo in but it originally came with a 396 four-speed which is very rare for a 1965

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  33. Avatar Frank Dillard

    I looked at the pictures of this El Camino and I do not know if it is the same one because I have purchased an El Camino Shorty and it looks very similar except the motor and interior are different the one I have has a new 350 with a 350 turbo in but it originally came with a 396 four-speed which is very rare for a 1965 Also there are different bucket seats in mine but when I bought it the guy gave me the original bucket seats with it.I like the fact that it brings a lot of negative comments I look at it this way it’s different I like different things there’s a ton of 65 El Camino south there so why not a shortened one by the way the tires do not spin easily this car hooked up and goes down the road like you wouldn’t believe

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  34. Avatar Dan Smith

    I now own Shortie only I call it Stubby. It goes down the road straight. It now needs some body work. The guy I purchased it from had a fender bender with it. I’m now in the process of buying a grill, front & rear bumpers, mirrors, and have a tarp installed over the bed. You’ll see it from time to time around Lancaster, Pa. Be on the look out for it. Thanks for the positive and negative comments. You’ll either like it or hate it but when you see. You’ll never forget it.

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  35. Avatar 57Chevy

    You don’t need a garage for this piecer. Just widen your front door & park it in your Living Room.. And Drool over it…….TEARS, that is!!!!!!

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    • Avatar Dan Smith

      This is what makes it so cool. My plan is to drive to the GM nationals in Carlisle in June. You’ll never see another one like it. By the way. Keep the comments coming. Thanks.

      Like 0

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