The Chevy El Camino, like Ford’s Ranchero, was a coupe utility vehicle, sometimes referred to as a “gentleman’s pickup.” It was given a two-year trial run as a full-size truck in 1959-60, then took a hiatus before returning as a mid-size on the new Chevelle platform. This 1965 edition was parked under a carport in 1988 and still sits there today. It no longer runs and will need a thorough restoration. Located in Plainfield, Indiana, this project is available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $7,500.
We don’t know why General Motors dropped the El Camino in 1961, but it could be because they didn’t have a comparable new car to base it in. Ford had changed gears with the Ranchero in 1960, turning it into a compact truck based on their new Falcon. Chevy had the rear-engine Corvair, and the Chevy II was two years away, so the concept disappeared until the new Chevelle was introduced in 1964. The El Camino was then based on Chevelle’s 2-door station wagon. From there, it would enjoy a good run through 1987 when GM dropped the intermediate rear-wheel-drive platform.
The second generation of the El Camino (1964-67) would see annual production consistently in the mid-30,000 units, so the move to a mid-size arrangement no doubt struck a responsive chord with buyers (the Ranchero was still a compact then). The 1965 El Camino received the same minor facelift as did the Chevelle. The largest engine displacement available that year was a 327 cubic inch V8, which could be available in outputs of 250, 300, and 350 hp (L79; special order). The badge on the seller’s car says 327, but we don’t which flavor is under the hood. The seller says the truck is numbers-matching.
At 90,000 miles on the odometer, this El Camino has been dormant for 34 years. We’re told it was running at that time, but now if you try to crank it, all you’ll get is a spinning starter. The interior, complete with buckets seats, is going to need a total refresh and the body looks okay, including the bed, except for an assortment of surface rust. Perhaps Mother Nature has been kind, although there isn’t enough of the paint left to decide what color it once was. It did have factory A/C, but some of the hardware is missing.
So, some….person left what appears to be a relatively intact, 65 El Camino under a carport since 1988?
WTF doesn’t even begin to describe it.
The intent was to restore the 65 El Camino to it’s original condition, but a drunk driver hit my father on his was home from work (In another vehicle. Not this one), and injured him very badly. After that he seemed to lose his desire to work on cars like he used to. Please do not judge when you do not know the facts.
Well, stuff happens. The point is it’s for sale now. Real cool car that I was looking for over a year ago, nothing in my price range was available at the time so I settled on a different project.
the body too rough for the price their asking.
the vehicle is overpriced.I am looking at a two thousand dollar vehicle.
The car world, sellers AND buyers have gone crazy!
wander how the frame ? the one i own was rust thru behind the passenger seat.
I’m sure it’s just a typo, one or two extra zeros.:-)
I had a 65 and the frames get soft in the rear crossmember. It was one of the greatest cars I’ve owned. I live in Pennsylvania so this El Camino would be snapped up quickly if you could hammer the asking price.
I love El Caminos, but this one is overpriced ten-fold.
A little searching and a little patience would yield a far better example than this one for a comparable price, IMO.