Few vehicles combine big block muscle and real everyday usefulness quite like a early 1970s El Camino. This 1971 Chevrolet El Camino is finished in black and has a factory numbers matching 402 big block, a Turbo 400 automatic and factory air conditioning. It is located in Sparks, Nevada, just east of Reno, and the seller is asking $31,000 or best offer. It was posted three days ago, and you can find it here on Craigslist. Tony Primo found this cool El Camino and we appreciate him sending us the listing.
The interior of this El Camino looks immaculate. Chevrolet introduced the El Camino in 1959 as its answer to the Ford Ranchero, and after a short break it returned in 1964 on the Chevelle platform. The SS package came to the El Camino for 1968, and by 1970 buyers could get the same big block performance as the Chevelle SS. The 1971 El Camino shared the Chevelle’s updated front end, with single headlights replacing the dual units, a new grille and new wraparound parking lights. 1971 was also the first year for GMC’s version, the Sprint. Chevrolet built 5,564 base El Caminos and 36,042 Custom El Caminos for 1971, which included the SS cars, for a total of 41,606.
1971 was the year GM lowered compression across the board so its engines could run on lower octane unleaded fuel. The base engine was a 250 cubic inch six rated at 145 horsepower, and V8 choices included a 307, two versions of the 350, the 402 rated at 300 horsepower and the LS5 454 rated at 365 horsepower. The 402 was marketed as the Turbo Jet 400, and it had been available outside the SS package since partway through 1970. The legendary LS6 was gone after just one year. Colors for 1971 included choices such as Placer Gold, red and black, and interiors were offered with bench or bucket seats.
This El Camino is a Custom, not a factory SS, but it has been dressed up with SS badges. The good news is that it has the factory numbers matching 402 big block, which has been rebuilt, along with the Turbo 400 and factory air conditioning. It has a newer interior, new wheels and tires, new brakes and front disc brakes with drums in the rear. The seller says the paint looks nice but has aged, with some chips, and describes it as good driver quality. A lot of recent work has been done, and the seller has plenty of documentation from current and past owners. The odometer has rolled over, so true mileage is unknown. It has a clean title. Would you keep the SS badges on this El Camino, or take them off since it is not a real SS?
Sharp looking El Camino nicely done and air conditioned.
Really a nicely done driver El Camino. Being at it is #s matching IMO the badges come off. I would rather have an original El Camino than a bootleg SS.