The El Camino enjoyed a long run at Chevrolet as a “gentleman’s pickup,” a truck based on a passenger car platform. For 1959 and 1960, it was a full-size transport, while shifting to a mid-size set-up in 1964 through 1987. The Colonnade era arrived at General Motors in 1973, and that would include the El Camino’s then-latest generation through 1977. The seller’s beautiful ’77 seems to have the Super Sport option, but it’s wearing the front clip from a 1973 Chevelle Laguna. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this sweet ride is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $18,000. Barn Finder Hans H. brought this unusual tip our way.
With the 1973 redesign, the Malibu was no longer the top Chevelle model. The name Laguna was employed instead through 1976. And the SS was replaced by the Laguna S-3 for 1974-76. The Laguna wore different front sheet metal than the rest of the Chevelles, and that look must have attracted the attention of the current or former owner of this El Camino. A 1973 Laguna front clip is now in place, whether it was used due to personal preferences or to replace damaged original sheet metal.
Besides some custom touches, we assume the rest of this El Camino has been restored. Its 350 cubic inch V8 has been rebuilt (original to the pickup?), and the TH-350 automatic transmission is a newer iteration. The Chevy sports a 3:73 posi-traction rear end along with a dual exhaust and new tires on Corvette rims. We’re told the El Camino runs and drives great, so we assume a turn-key purchase could be in your future.
The custom two-tone paint is striking, and the hood is said to have been hand-made. The width of the rear bumper has been reduced by three inches, and a special cover is in place over the bed (we don’t know what things look like under it, but we’re betting it’s as clean as a whistle). The truck has a pair of Chevelle swivel bucket seats with a center console for the shifter. A set of aftermarket gauges has been added to help keep track of things under the hood. If you’re looking for a vintage vehicle that should attract attention, this Chevy should do the job.
While this isn’t my favorite generation of ElCamino, It looks like they did a nice job on the build. I like the Corvette rims and Laguna nose. The more I’m looking at it, including the nice interior, the more I like it. 350 and THM 350 is a great combo too.
Nice one Russ.
Looks like a Olds Cutlass console and shifter… fitting since it has an Olds Culass dash installed. Was a auto on the column.
I thought that dash looked odd.
Should have gone all the way and installed Olds door cards and an Olds front clip.
Nice catch on that one Dennis. The shifter, console dash. Makes sense, it all fits.
Built out of whatever was around at the time ???? Did they think we wouldnt notice the Olds parts ??
“It’s only original once”, and this one clearly isn’t anymore by a longshot, so I’m not bothered about the builder choosing an Olds dash and console for whatever reason, and the ad does clearly state “Oldsmolite dast and center console” [sic], so it’s not as if they’re trying to put one over on anyone.
Maybe the original dash was unsalvageable, maybe a good salvage Olds dash was readily available, or maybe they just preferred the Olds dash as yet another custom touch.
The facebook ad says he used the olds dash console and shifter . He isn’t trying to hide anything.
neat but why go with an olds dash and console? go with the monte dash at least you would have the factory tach and gauges. you’re not getting that with olds set up. i have seen El caminos with this front end before
The ad does mention, “New Autometer Pro Comp gauges”, including a tach as shown in another pic from the FB ad not included here, so that may address whatever concern about missing/nonfunctional gauges.
Curiously I’m not seeing a fuel gauge, but maybe they didn’t care about that if they never expected to drive this on long enough trips to matter, easy to just tank up periodically based on mileage.
The Olds interior in a Camino is nothing new. I put a Cutlass Brougham interior in my 75 Elky years ago. It beats the hell out the crappy Chevy vinyl bench seat.
Perfect combination of weird and cool. The hood is fun and the Olds interior works great. Probably a good conversation starter.
I really like this one, love the colors, the Laguna nose and the hood is a cool touch. Nice too they made the rear bumper skinny taking away the awkward big fed bumper look. For 18k I think it’s a good deal with all the work that’s gone into this compared to some other cars with ridiculous prices.
Nidely done. The hood may have 66-67 Chevelle SS396 hood louvers.
I really like it even with all the changes. I do prefer the ’75’ Laguna nose better.
Normally I like the 75 nose better but this one works very nicely, I really like this Elcamino. I used to have a 75 but just the regular nose it was two tone blue with swivel buckets console shift.