When the El Camino “Ute” (utility coupe) returned in 1964, it was based on the new Chevelle mid-size offering. Because it’s a car under the skin rather than a truck, the El Camino and Ford’s Ranchero were often referred to as “gentlemen pickups.” The seller has a performance edition of the El Camino from 1971, and his/her family bought the truck when it was just a year old. Looking beautiful and stout, this “heavy” Chevy is available in Menlo Park, California, and here on craigslist for $55,000. Bravo, Mitchell G., for another stellar tip!
Chevrolet added the Super Sport option to the El Camino in 1968. It was its own series for just one year before spending 1969-72 as an option. In 1971, about 9,500 SS 454 Chevelles and El Caminos were produced. The numbers applicable to the “Ute” aren’t available, but logic would have it that most 1971 SS 454s were installed in Malibu Sport Coupes. With total El Camino and GMC Sprint production exceeding 47,000 copies, only a fraction would have been SS 454s like this one. Which is numbers matching except for a transmission replacement years ago (1980s).
This El Camino has been no garage queen, at least in its early years. The odometer has rolled over to 155,000 miles, yet everything looks as fresh as a daisy. The Placer Gold paint is the original color, but it was redone 20-25 years ago and still sparkles with nary a hint of corrosion. The seller acquired the vehicle from his/her grandfather in 1992 and says it’s now “time for the next caretaker” to come along.
Documentation follows this El Camino, such as the build sheet and Protect-O-Plate. We’re told that most of the many components replaced over the years are original or NOS, but some usable extras will go with the sale. Both the 454 V8 and TH-400 have been rebuilt as far back as 1980. Headers and a dual exhaust are part of the package, which should make for an even more potent truck than when it was new. This El Camino has factory air conditioning, which has been upgraded, but some components still don’t work. Do they get any nicer than this without being Concours quality?
Slide that column shift Hydramatic into D, and enjoy the big block brute. 3.31 posi ⚙️ seems a perfect match for this unit. Very cool Chev. 😎 👍🏁 Thanks for the article Dixon. Seasons Greetings to you and yours. 🤝
Grandpa sure knew what he wanted when he walked into that Chevy showroom!!! Wow!! 454, THM 400. Like Stan said above 3:31 Posi ( which you’d need to get any of that torque to the ground) great combo. This is a very high quality driver from what I can see in the pictures. Very nice!!!
Is it me, or rather, my eyes, or do the stripes look way off? I know that they should be more rounded towards the front of the hood, but they also look too fat, Or is it time that I buy some damn readers?!
The stripes on this El Camino are different than those on the 1971 Chevelle featured on this site a few days ago. These definitely look wrong.
This is a nice car, but hard to see it pulling $55,000. El Camino’s just don’t bring the same amount of money as a Chevelle.
Steve R
Yup, stripes are too wide.
An bench seat is the only appropriate seating arrangement for an Elky, IMO. Adds to the “utility” of the cartruck. Having a big block under your right foot is icing on the cake.