BF Auction: 1985 Chevrolet El Camino Custom

Seller: Jeffrey C ohen (Contact)
Location: Newburyport, Massachusetts
Mileage: 00000 Shown
Chassis #: 1GCCW80KXCR220502
Title Status: Clean
Engine: 307 cui v8
Transmission: TH350 Automatic

There is no shortage of stock El Caminos out there, but this one clearly isn’t interested in blending in. Between its louvered hood, side pipes, lowered stance, vintage ET wheels, and a dashboard borrowed from a 1959 Chevrolet, this 1985 El Camino has the flavor of a street machine built decades ago rather than something assembled from the latest catalog. Located in Newburyport, Massachusetts, it is offered at auction with a clean title.

Power comes from a 307 cubic-inch V8 believed to date from the 1970s. It is equipped with a Holley carburetor and a mild cam, with exhaust exiting through side pipes that the seller admits make the car about as loud as you would expect. A TH350 automatic transmission sends power rearward.

The seller purchased the El Camino, already modified by a local builder, in 2023 and subsequently added gauges, seat belts, and a speedometer. The front end has reportedly been rebuilt, with a new steering box and suspension components, and the brakes have also been replaced. The seller states that the car runs well and passes state inspection.

Visually, this Chevrolet is full of period-custom touches. The body has been lowered approximately three to four inches, while the hood incorporates louvers and a scoop. ET-style mag wheels complete the stance, and a tow hitch remains fitted out back. The doors have been shaved of their exterior handles and are opened using poppers controlled from the bed.

The cabin is probably the most unexpected part of the build. A 1959 Chevrolet dashboard and steering wheel have been grafted into the El Camino, creating a retro look. Aftermarket instrumentation includes a speedometer and tachometer, while a Sirius radio and antenna have been added. Seating is provided by a bench seat rather than buckets.

Cosmetics are the main unfinished area. The seller says the car needs paint. It was purchased with a gold-painted roof and primered body, after which the body was finished in matte black. Unfortunately, the paint on both the body and roof has begun bubbling, lifting, and flaking, although the seller states this is not rust-related.

The side and rear windows are Lexan. The passenger window needs adjustment inside the door, while the curved rear window is showing crackling and needs sealing. The windshield is said to be good. Headliner padding is present, though it still requires a finished fabric or plastic covering.

This El Camino is unlikely to appeal to someone searching for originality, but that misses the point. It looks like the sort of machine you might have encountered outside a burger stand or drag strip years ago, complete with side pipes, mags, shaved handles, and enough custom fabrication to ensure there probably isn’t another one exactly like it. Finish the paint or leave its rough-edged appearance alone and enjoy it. Either way, this El Camino is certainly more interesting than another stock cruiser.