From its paint shade to the fresh V8 occupying its engine bay, this 1969 Chevrolet El Camino features a few custom touches to improve the ownership experience. It isn’t perfect, but it is a rock-solid, driver-grade classic that will attract plenty of attention. It is a turnkey vehicle offering a perfect blend of practicality and outright performance. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Jack M. for spotting the El Camino listed here on Craigslist in Corvallis, Oregon. The seller set their price for this beauty at $22,500.
Chevrolet introduced its Third Generation El Camino range for the 1968 model year. As with its predecessor, it based its latest offering on the existing Chevelle, though its larger physical dimensions increased load-carrying capacity. The company performed minor styling upgrades in 1969, which is when our feature vehicle rolled off the line. The Charcoal Gray paint is interesting because it doesn’t feature on that year’s El Camino color chart. However, it is a classy shade possessing a very healthy shine. Close inspection reveals scratches on several surfaces, but I believe a reputable shop can address them while achieving an acceptable color match. The bed features further scratches, and returning that area to its best at the same time would be worthwhile. The seller recently replaced the Black vinyl top, so it doesn’t require attention. This El Camino didn’t escape the dreaded rust issues, but the seller eliminated these with high-end repairs. It included replacement floor pans, while they powdercoated the new inner fenders and core support for longevity. The glass is new, and the trim is in excellent condition.
Lifting the hood reveals an engine bay that presents extremely well. The seller recently installed a 350 Crate Motor, teamed with a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The small-block’s specifications are unclear, but it should produce enough power and torque to effortlessly haul whatever the buyer drops into the bed. The V8 has under 1,000 miles under its belt, and the steering box, front brake discs, various steering and suspension components, and the battery are new. The seller states that the rear end isn’t the Posi he was told that it was when he purchased the vehicle, but will include a shiny new Eaton limited-slip at an additional cost if the buyer is interested. They admit that the clutch springs are stiff, which appears to be the only mechanical issue. Otherwise, the El Camino runs and drives extremely well, and can be considered a turnkey proposition.
One aspect of the El Camino needing nothing is its interior. The seller recently performed a retrim, replacing almost everything inside this classic. They added custom kick panels to accommodate speakers for the modern stereo, fitted a column-mounted tachometer, and installed an additional underdash gauge cluster. The overall presentation is extremely nice, with no cosmetic shortcomings or signs of deterioration. It doesn’t feature such luxuries as air conditioning, but still looks like a pretty pleasant place to spend time as the miles roll effortlessly under the El Camino’s tires.
The Chevrolet El Camino is sometimes considered a sleeper in the classic world. Typically lighter than the Sedan on which they are based, they can deliver impressive performance thanks to their lower curb weight. The 350 Crate Motor powering this 1969 El Camino should provide an extremely entertaining driving experience, and would surprise the opposition at a “Traffic Light Grand Prix.” The vehicle needs work to present at its best, but the lack of urgency surrounding those tasks means the buyer could tackle them at their leisure. It has only been on the market for a short time, and I think it will find a home pretty quickly. Are you tempted to make it yours?
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