After a three-year absence, Chevrolet’s “gentlemen’s pickup,” the El Camino, returned in 1964. From there until the end of the run in 1987, it would be based on a mid-size platform. The styling was refreshed in 1966/67 and followed that of the popular Chevy Chevelle. The seller’s ’67 edition has the “Malibu Deluxe Trim Package” (meaning it’s fancier) and was in the same family for its first five decades. Needing a complete restoration, this “Ute” is available in Leavenworth, Kansas, and is offered here on eBay. The current bid is $2,025, which is somewhere short of the seller’s reserve.
The El Camino debuted in 1959 as Chevy’s response to the Ford Ranchero. Both were utility coupes (or “Ute”), pickups based on a car platform instead of a truck. So, they drove and handled better than their more utilitarian counterparts. When Chevrolet redesigned its cars in 1961, the El Camino went on hiatus while the Ranchero had already morphed into a compact Falcon derivative.
As the story goes, this El Camino was sold new in Pennsylvania and was first owned by the father and then the son for 50+ years. After a quick turnover, the seller bought the pickup in 2019 and has owned it since, doing little to it in the interim. The Deepwater Blue paint is original as is the interior over an undisclosed number of miles. It was running many moons ago, but not now, although the engine will turn by hand.
The Chevy has an entry-level 283 cubic inch V8, paired with a Powerglide automatic transmission (2-speed). The frame is said to be good but is mighty crusty, and some of the sheet metal has rust per the ample number of photos provided. At a minimum, parts of the floorboard will need replacement. This El Camino is one of about 35,000 produced in 1967, and the seller has decided to part with it because his/her plate is full with other projects.
This was featured on this site in early march and was bid to $6,800, but the sale must have fallen through.
This has promise if the frame doesn’t have significant rust. The floorboard that needs repair, behind the drivers seat, almost always rusts, that section extends beneath the front of bed where there is a bolt on cover. This always leaks and creates standing water, which eventually rusts through, even in the driest states.
This will make a good project, it appears complete, doesn’t look to have much serious rust and is fairly straight, though neglected. If I was in the market for a car and lived within a couple of hours drive I’d take a look. I wouldn’t pay, $6,800 which is what it was bid to last time, but I don’t think you could go wrong below $4,500-5,000.
Steve R
Curious white & gold striped tires.
As I recall there used to be a “Premium” tire called a “Double Eagle Vogue” which featured a gold and white stripped tire (I think it also featured a tire in a tire for run flat capabilities). Those on this El Camino are not Double Eagle Vogues but may be pretending to be.
Dipso Facto.
What the seller calls an “El Camino Malibu Deluxe Trim Package” is really an El Camino Custom. By VIN, it’s part of the Malibu series, but Chevrolet never marketed it that way.
I have never seen leaf springs like that. Not talking about the hose clamp but rather the front attachment.
Don’t recall ever being under one of these despite a friend having one. I’m with you, that channel iron spring mount does look a little suspicious.
These cars aren’t leaf spring cars, they have coil springs which can be seen in other photos, what you’re seeing is some sort of ‘helper’ spring setup to handle heavier loads.
That makes sense. I was looking at other chassis and they all had a coil over set up. Thank you!
The family certainly took good care of it though the years
I agree with Steve R. on price. This would work for the project I plan in the future, but I wish the pictures were a little closer in spots. I have a feeling it has more rust in 1/4 panels and such than it really looks like. Front lip of hood might be rusted out but that would get replaced anyway.
In Leavenworth KS right now, oh, and is it still for sale?
Gentlemen look at the frame shot on passenger side. Body mount on frame is rusted completely out, not to mention the rust through hole’s behind door. Priced way to high. 3500 would be more in line. It’s bid has reached 3350.