This 1975 Chevrolet El Camino sure looks nice! Not as a show vehicle, but a useful vehicle you can drive proudly. It’s for sale here on eBay and has reached $5,400 as I write (reserve not yet met). You can combine picking up the car with a trip to Southfork as you’ll have to travel to Dallas, Texas.
Just look at that useful bed! This is one of the last “large size” El Caminos and the bed shows that. It doesn’t look like it’s been used for much hauling, though. The seller tells us that it has numerous nicks and scratches but that it’s not worth repainted yet. I certainly don’t see any major flaws, do you?
The seller states that the rear bumper has been damaged. I like the two-tone paint (original colors) and the dog dish/trim ring wheel treatment (but rally wheels would look good here too). The El Camino is showing 64,770 miles and has obviously seen the inside of a garage for a long time.
The underside sports a partially renewed exhaust system and looks just as good as the upper surfaces.
And check out this interior! In most cases I would prefer buckets, but the bench would allow you to transport three folks in a pinch. Again, pleasingly stock.
Some of you are going to be disappointed looking under the hood to see an inline six rather than a 350 V8. You can look at this one of two ways. Since the engine currently runs well and has working air conditioning (a dealer add-on kit) I’d would just leave well enough alone. However, I know some of you can’t get enough power, which in my mind would finally give those small block Chevy lover commenters a place to put the engine they try to install in about every other car we post! So what say you? Leave the six or install a V8?
Leave the six daul carbs Fenton headers 060 off the headshi lift rockers and much fun
This makes an interesting sort-of twin to the ’74 Pontiac LeMans posted up earlier. Same platform, similar colors, same engine. Both in better condition than one would expect from a lower-spec mid-70s GM intermediate.
Leave it alone! How many 6 cylinder elcamino’s from this era are left, or for that matter made? With a little tweaking it would go, and get 20+ mpg. Cool car!
I’d definitely leave it as is. So easy to work on if necessary.
It would be fun to take this one to the local cruise nights to watch the modifiers dream.
“I’d put in a 572 and…”
“No, No, No, an LS with a Tremec and …. ”
“No what it really needs is a blower and Nitrous…”
I’d also vote for leaving the six-banger under the hood, albeit with Jerry’s suggested mods.
Fuel economy, may in fact, improve, as the engine would be a lot more free-flowing, if everything’s set up right. It’s been known to happen. ;-)
Bidding is currently at $6,100 and THE RESERVE IS OFF! Looks like the reserve was set at $6,000 and now this crate is going to sell. Please count my vote to keep the old reliable straight-6 … would be a shame to pull it especially since it is running well. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
I would trade my 1974 LeMans for this ElCamino…& Keep it the way it is now,,,
You could build the six. The 250 c.i. was capable of being built close to 500 horse. Leave it a six.
Where’s Dan chiming in with the LS3 suggestion for this one? Dan….? Lol
I usually don’t care for these, but this one is quite nice! It’s amazing how the lead pic looks like a Malibu coupe and hides that big booty. I would leave the six and change the steering wheel. Although 1975 smog equipment is really undesirable–this has about 100 hp.
The seller’s eBay handle almost looks like “Eyeless Sylvester” which would be a helluva pirate name. But would you buy a used car from him?
I agree, leave it as is. Maintain it original and enjoy it for what it is. If you want power, buy a muscle car or buy something new. Why destroy something nice, clean, and original that isn’t being made anymore?
Over the nearly 200 cars I’ve owned over my many years, my 1973 El Camino SS 454 was the worst I’ve ever owned. Horrible build quality, cheap materials, heavy and sluggish with its by-then EPA strangled big block. I can still hear the rattles. Glad to dump it at auction for $7500 about 5 years ago. Pure junk.
So impractical to use as a pick-up! They just don’t haul any weight!
It is in decent condition, no question there. As to whether to keep the six or put in an eight, I’d keep the six but ditch the rest of the car to someone who might appreciate the styling. Different people, different tastes but this body style was my least favorite of any El Camino ever made.