Elkys don’t typically get me going but this ’71 has a few options that caught my attention. I’ve always thought an El Camino could make an affordable muscle car alternative if it had the right hardware. This particular one may not be packing a big block but the 4-speed, positraction, and 4-barrel small block could make it a fun driver. The seller claims that the options make it a 1-of-1 car. Take a look here on eBay where it’s being auctioned off. It’ll be interesting to see if it sells for less than a comparable Nova.
There are some obvious cosmetic flaws here that made me skip over this find at first. The big rust holes in the rockers are a huge turn off but after a closer inspection, things may not be as bad as they first appear. The bed looks surprisingly rust-free, and the seller claims the floors are solid. Someone has painted the frame so let’s hope they weren’t trying to cover up anything. The rest of the body looks clean so maybe there is hope yet.
Back to the hardware. There’s a 350 V8 under the hood that’s breathing through a 4-barrel carburetor. Sure, a 454 would have been cooler but a small block is cheaper to run and easier to get parts for. The seller claims that this is a one-owner pickup and that it has only covered 33k miles. If all the claims are true here, this is quite a find even with the rocker rust.
That engine should provide enough power for most people and the 4-on-the-floor has the added entertainment of rowing your own gears. It’s not all hard work though with power steering and power brakes. This one was even optioned with AC to keep you cool while you’re working out. It may not look it, but this thing is tricked out inside – extra lights, tint, and SS gauges!
It sounds like a lot of work has already been done to make this Chevy a runner, so the first order of business would be doing something about that rust. Rather than slapping some Bondo in there, I’d recommend welding in some patch panels. The two-tone paint job should make it so you can just respray the lower section. After that, I would focus on catching up on any deferred maintenance and fixing any glaring issues. This would then be a fun and functional muscle car alternative. Would you choose it over a Nova?
This El Camino has a great list of options. The problem is a dealer is selling it, so the reserve is likely to be high. There has been previous rust repair, which is evident in the last picture, which casts doubt on their description. A thorough inspection prior to purchase would be wise.
Steve R