For much of its life, the Chevy El Camino was a utility coupe (aka “Ute”) derivative of the mid-size Chevelle. After a brief full-size run in 1959-60, the El Camino returned in 1964 and remained through the end of the rear-wheel-drive platform 1in 1987. This 1968 edition comes with its original 327 cubic inch V8 and was found in a barn, so it’s going to need more than TLC to get it back on the road. Located in Oakdale, California, this pickup is available here on craigslist for $7,500.
Chevy wasn’t the first automaker to come up with the idea of turning a passenger car into a truck. Ford did it in 1957 with the Ranchero, which was likely why Chevrolet followed suit two years later. It took a while for the Ranchero to decide what it wanted to be: a full-size pickup from 1957 to 1959, a compact from 1960 to 1965 (Falcon), and finally an intermediate (like the El Camino) from 1966 forward. As is often the case with competing products, the Chevy generally outsold the Ford. In 1968, Chevrolet built more than 41,000 El Caminos vs. fewer than 17,000 Rancheros from Ford.
From the seats forward, the 1968 El Camino was a Malibu, using the station wagon’s wheelbase of 116 inches. While most of these “gentlemen’s pickups” were purchased for light duty, you could get one set up for performance as an SS 396 (just like the Malibu). The seller’s El was not one of those, using a 327 V8 which was winding down at Chevy in favor of the 350. This car does not run, but we’re told the engine will turn over, a positive sign.
The seller provides few photos, so it’s hard to gauge the pickup’s condition. No pics of the interior, engine compartment, or bed are part of the effort. It was found in a barn which means it’s pretty dirty and has the possibility of having been invaded by the types of critters that inhabit those facilities. The title is said to be clear and in “non-op” status meaning that if the buyer is in California, back registration fees won’t be required.
Of course, here in the USA, we don’t call the El Camino or the Ford Ranchero “Utes.” Technically, they’re pickups here.
I see alot of references to the Elky being classified as a utility vehicle. But I just call them Elkys. No matter, all the A body stuff bolts right on.
Nearly got injured/killed in a friend’s 64. John equipped it with a 293 4 BBL with a Duntov cam, M22 and 4.11s. It was a fun “banzai” runner until a wheel cylinder blew out at redline in 3rd. Some quick downshifts and pumping what brakes were left prevented a big problem. This looks like a good baseline for building a similar toy. Easy to get the 327 over 300 hp, since it needs work, put in a 4 speed and 3.73 or 4.11s.
I had one with 327/ 4 speed. Wish I had it today
Late 70s in high school buddy had a school permit and we would cruise around after school in his dads 66 SS 396 black el Camino with a power glide it had Cragar wheels with 60’s it ran hard and was a blast to ride in at 15 years old we never wrecked it but the dude that bought it 10 years later totaled it in a week sad.
Two things: 1) A real BARN FIND, imagine that! 2) Pics sell items, pics sell items, pics sell items! What am I lookin’ at for $7500 bucks?