If someone were so inclined, they could easily write a book about Special Edition vehicles in automotive history. However, such a book would make “War and Peace” look like a spot of light reading. This 1980 Chevrolet El Camino SS is one such classic, ordered by its first owner as a Royal Knight edition. It is a rust-free survivor with a known history, and could be an excellent, exceptionally affordable restoration project. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Royal Knight listed here on Craigslist in Kennewick, Washington. Handing the seller $5,500 could allow you to drive this beauty home.
It is fair to say that by the time Chevrolet released the Fifth Generation El Camino range in 1978, if the badge’s bubble hadn’t burst, it was certainly leaking badly. Sales declined rapidly throughout the production run, with the final El Camino leaving the line in 1987. Our featured 1980 El Camino is an SS, ordered by its first owner in subtle White. However, they boosted the car cosmetically by ticking the box on the Order Form beside the Royal Knight package. It provided cosmetic enhancements, primarily stripes, decals, and an enormous sticker on the hood depicting two dragons and a knight. The seller purchased the vehicle approximately forty years ago and states that, apart from the wheels, it is a survivor. The paint looks tired, and UV exposure has wrought havoc on the graphics. However, what this El Camino has avoided is the rust problems that often plague these classics. Therefore, the buyer could easily perform a cosmetic restoration in a home workshop; with complete Royal Knight sticker kits retailing for about $400, applying these and the original wheels sitting in the bed would return this El Camino to its factory form.
Unfortunately, the seller supplies no engine bay images, but they provide plenty of relevant mechanical details. The first owner ordered the El Camino with a 305ci V8, which became the range-topping motor for that model year. They teamed the V8 with a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The 305 wasn’t a fireball in 1980, placing 165hp at the driver’s disposal. However, upgrading the carburetor and intake could squeeze a few extra ponies from the small-block, although it would never threaten a muscle car in the performance stakes. The seller confirms that this SS runs and drives, but it would benefit from a tune-up. The sale includes the original Build Sheet, advertising book, and other period sales literature.
Trimmed in Burgundy vinyl, the El Camino’s interior features air conditioning and an AM/FM radio/cassette player. The carpet and door trims look presentable, as does the dash. The seat cover is badly torn on the driver’s side, and the foam is crumbling. It is unclear what hides beneath the dash cover, but I won’t be surprised if the pad has cracked. That isn’t necessarily bad news, because reproduction pads retail for under $250. Finding seat covers and foam won’t be difficult, allowing the buyer to return the interior to a presentable state.
I have been unable to find definitive production figures for the Chevrolet El Camino SS Royal Knight, but it is worth noting that we have only previously seen five of these classics as Barn Finds. The sixth looks like a beauty and ticks the boxes for enthusiasts seeking an affordable project candidate devoid of rust. The 1980 El Camino isn’t the most desirable vehicle on the planet, though a Royal Knight typically commands a 10% premium over a regular SS in similar condition. That’s not a bad achievement for what is essentially a graphics package. The seller’s price looks extremely realistic, which is why I believe this promising project will find a new home fairly quickly. It will be fascinating to learn whether we have readers who are tempted.
Just spoke with AI, as I wondered if there was a difference between a knight & a royal knight. A Royal Knight is a knight with royal heritage – one of the British Royal Family, who also has been knighted/honoured. A plain old knight is a commoner that has been knighted – Elton John, Gary Oldman etc.
The hood decal on these has always appealed to me. Unlike the trans Am, it is symmetrical which jives well with my mild OCD. There’s a darker association with the image as well, compared to the Trans Am’s.
I think I mostly see these “trucks” in dark colours, blue or black, and in this generation, mostly quad headlights (1082+). I’d prefer it with a manwell, but the bench seat is desirable. That cover on the dash looks like the cheapest way to cover it.
This not a true SS car the motor would have been much bigger those are just a sticker add on
Not seeing any SS badging/decals on it — and there was no factory “El Camino SS” anyway, just the Choo-Choo Customs ones with a Monte Carlo SS-style nose cap — so the seller prolly just put the SS in their ad details to attract people searching for one of those, hoping they might be interested in a different unusual/special-edition El Camino.
You do know that the 305 was the biggest engine offered in the Camino. RIGHT?
So a 5th gen SS was a badge only. The 350 was dropped after 1979.
The SS option came from ChoCho Customs and had nothing to do with engine size.
Dirt cheap, yeah Joe Dirt cheap! Looks like a fun project!
I remember seeing a couple of these rolling around in my neck of the woods back in those days. None of them had SS badges or decals, just the Royal Knight decals. GLWTS.
My first thought was an engine fire when I saw the hood. It’s not rotted out and I think it’s worth the ask just for that fact alone.
A cheap entry vehicle into the classic car hobby. With some TLC the buyer will have a nice truck to attend local events.
I had one of these about 20 years ago. The Royal Knight was top of the line, power windows, power seat and powered by a 305. It was a good, dependable vehicle for me, it did amazing posi burnouts for a 305. Once I was going to get my ex to make a video of the smoke show. I backed it out onto the road right in front of my house, put it in drive, matted the gas pedal and it didn’t budge an inch! The pinion snapped and parts went everywhere. I had to push it back into the driveway. Oh well… I never tried to video my high jinks again!
you have to crawl under the car and check out the frame; the G bodies were notorious for rotting out especially in the rear where the frame kicks over the axle.
Robert hayes 305 4 bbl single exhaust was the biggest engine available in this series El camino never even a 350 was offered except in Mexico but many 350 have been transplanted as in mine and to subgothius there were indeed factory ss I own one data plate proves it btw not all choo choos were factory ss just decals
The 1978 was the only year that a 350 with 4bbl was available. By 1979 the biggest was the 305. I owned a 78 and it’s a very rare one with the 350, buckets, console, A/C power windows/locks, tilt and dealer installed tonneau. BTW 1978 was not called Royal Knight but called Black Knight and only came in black.
I remember those. Somewhat of a rarity, though.
This is my second favorite ElCamino body style after the ’64/65 body style. The graphics do nothing for me. If I purchased I would install a 383 or 400 small block. And a beefed 700R4 transmission. Upgrade the suspension and brakes and have a very cool Ute!
Ad has now been replaced by a 1956 Buick Special (???).
While I love the El Camino as shown, the Craigslist ad doesn’t show the El Camino. It shows a 1956 Buick Special parts car. So which is the ad for?
I don’t care if it’s a Royal Knight or a real fake SS. The body is solid appearing. Everything seems to be there. Maybe a body and paint class at a community College. A 300 hp crate 350. Drive and smile. Had a 78. Poor thing had a lot of rust but it was enjoyable and practical for me. $5000.00 isn’t a bad ask and if can negotiated down, all the better.
Loved my 78 Black Knight with 350 4bbl and every option. Bought it used in 1980 after finding out all I could get was a 305 in a new one. Too bad it wasn’t a family car :o(
The link takes me to a 1956 Buick Special.
Cool car/truck. I owned one of the rare 1978 only Black Knights. GM was sued by Hollywood over the name so in 1979 the changed it to Royal Knight and added 3 colors. Also 1978 was the only year you could get the 350 w 4bbl in the El Camino and that was what mine had along with every option you could get. Sold it because we had our first child and there was no place to put the car seat with buckets and console.
When I tap the Craigslist in the ad it shows a 1956 Buick with no engine. Huh?