Vehicle Description
The good looks of a Chevelle and the utility of a pickup bed are
still hard to beat, even after four decades. This handsome 1972
Chevrolet El Camino sports a built 350 under the hood and a great
look, making it one of the few muscle cars that will be happy to go
to work with you. Practical speed, that's the El Camino.
Obviously black is one of those colors that will never go out of
style. Smooth, slick, and thoroughly up to date, this sinister
black SS most certainly looks the part of a heavy-hitter on the
street. A cowl-induction hood certainly helps with that impression,
although we kind of like that they skipped the SS stripes and kept
it kind of low-profile. The paint job is older but fit and finish
are decent, good enough to fit in at the local cruise night.
There's some age on the paint but black looks great no matter what
you do with it and it panel gaps are pretty good. They didn't go
crazy with the customization, and with a black vinyl top, it looks
a little upscale and stands out from the rest of the El Caminos
that'll be around town. The bed, which is the place where it's
easiest to tell how serious the owner was about his work, shows
extremely well with no major dings or damage, and features a
spray-in bedliner to help it survive a few jobs around the
house.
El Camino interiors are another nice combination of street car
comfort and commercial vehicle practicality. A bench seat allows
three passengers and heavy-duty floor mats add some contrast. The
seat is in great shape, and if the seat cover is original it's
shockingly nice for being more than 40 years old. The dash is in
very good shape but since the gauges cover just the basics, it
includes the usual aftermarket dials underneath. The carpets show a
little age since black is so hard to protect from the effects of UV
rays, but they look great and fit well. This El Camino also
features factory A/C, although the system needs to be serviced.
There's also an AM/FM/8-track stereo in the dash, which is a cool
throwback piece, and the subwoofers behind the seat ensure it still
sounds great.
The engine is a great running 350 cubic inch "Turbo Fire" V8 that's
ideal in the multi-purpose truck/car. With a Rochester 4-barrel
carburetor, a modest cam, and HEI ignition, the orange powerplant
is content to churn out torque at any speed and laughs at loads in
the bed. Painted valve covers and a chrome air cleaner dress it up
even though it's not too far from stock, and with power steering
and brakes, this hauler is a breeze to maneuver in traffic or
parking lots. Cast iron manifolds control heat and noise, feeding a
true dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers and chrome
tips just under the bumper to keep it looking sporty. The TH350
3-speed automatic transmission and 12-bolt rear mean that you don't
ever have to worry about breakage, and while it's not show quality
underneath, it doesn't show any signs of life in an inclement
climate, either. Factory Rally wheels are an ideal choice, and
sport 235/60/15 white-letter radials at all four corners.
Always attractive and eminently usable, this El Camino is a very
affordable way to own the A-list muscle you've always wanted
without a huge investment. Call today!