There are plenty of options open to the next owner of this 1964 Chevrolet El Camino. It is a straight and solid-looking vehicle, and it houses a healthy big block under the hood. The owner suggests that it would make a really cool shop truck, and I have to agree with him on that score. I also have to thank Barn Finder local_sheriff for referring this classic to us. The El Camino is located in Tracy City, Tennessee, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The asking price has been set at $11,500, although the owner might be open to considering a trade for the right vehicle.

The first thing that strikes me about the El Camino beyond its tired paint, is just how straight the panels appear to be. There are no obvious signs of dings or dents, and also no evidence of any rust. The owner doesn’t mention any problems under the vehicle, but he also doesn’t supply any photos of the vehicle’s underside. Beyond that, the trim and chrome appear to be very good, and I can’t see any problems with the glass. One of the features that he mentions is the Rally wheels and the baby moon caps. These add a touch of class and provide a nice retro look to Chevy. So, the initial impression would seem to be that a fresh coat of paint should have this classic looking really sharp once again.

Gazing into the engine bay of the El Camino reveals that this is a vehicle that really means business. The largest engine available in an El Camino in 1964 was the 327ci V8, but that’s not what we find in this car. What the next owner will be getting is a 396ci V8, a TH-400 automatic transmission, along with power steering. With the 327 onboard, the El Camino was a spirited performer. Slot in a 396 that is unencumbered by pollution equipment and performance should step up into another realm entirely. Depending on what specifications that engine is, the owner should have at least 325 hp, or possibly much more, at their disposal. When you consider the fact that an El Camino tips the scales around 100lbs lighter than a Chevelle SS, this should be a pretty lively car. However, with little weight over the rear wheels, it would have to be treated with kid gloves on loose or wet surfaces. The owner doesn’t indicate how well the vehicle runs or drives, but I have to say that the presentation under the hood looks very promising.

I wouldn’t describe the interior as spectacular, but it is quite serviceable. The most obvious flaws are the hole in the lower dash on the driver’s side, the saggy seats, and the faded carpet. Fix those issues and paint the steering column so that it matches the rest of the interior, and you would be well on your way to having a great looking interior. Where the shifter stick through the floor looks unfinished, so maybe a console would be an attractive and practical addition. The door trims look pretty decent, as does the gauge cluster and its surround. Having said all of that, none of these faults could be classed as urgent, so the next owner may well choose to drive the vehicle as it currently stands, which would be a fair call.

This El Camino is a vehicle with a lot of potential and I do believe that it would make a pretty interesting shop truck. Then again, treating it to a color change and fitting some more aggressive wheels would make it stand out from the crowd. I would be very tempted to give it a fresh coat of red paint, address the issues inside the vehicle, and leave the wheels as they are. That would make it a real sleeper, and people would certainly take notice when you lifted the hood. That is a really tempting idea.