Vehicle Description
1974 Chevrolet El Camino
Rumor has it that Mattel's Elliot Handler (the 'el' in Mattel),
spotted designer Harry Bradley's El Camino in the Mattel HQ parking
lot and commented, "Those are some hot wheels," coining the new
name for Mattel's line of toy cars, Hot Wheels. In fact, Elliot was
so impressed by Bradley's custom El Camino, he insisted that Mattel
use it as a model for the first line of Hot Wheels toy cars, and
the rest, as they say is history.
All starting from an Australian farm wife wanting a vehicle she
could use during the week on the farm and then drive it to church
on a Sunday, the concept of a car with a truck bed was born. The
Chevrolet El Camino (literally translated to "The Way") is in our
massive facility and standing out as a nice example. Dressed in
blue and white showing some incomplete bodywork, and in process
sanding, we have a barnfind 1974 El Camino. Let me show you "the
Way!"
Exterior
Patina and faded blue paint dons the upper and lower portions of
this car/truck, and this blue sandwiches a white panel right at the
belt line. Some trimmings on the border of the white and blue and
some rust to go open along with it on the body. A few areas of
previous repairs are noted with a red sanding sealer peppering the
panels and the bed. Upfront, a single headlight flanks a simple
square and rectangle design egg crate grille. A semi shiny bumper
is below, and it will need a new fill piece for the trim between
the grille and the bumper. Other chrome trimmings are dimpled and
faded with some slight rust appearing every now and again. The bed
is showing some previous repairs as to rust remediation and some
surface rust is still present through the blue paint. 15-inch
wheels are on all 4 corners and show some fading on their
finishing's.
Interior
A black vinyl bench stretches from black buttoned panel door panel
to black door panel. It is showing some wear, on the driver's side
and padding can be seen worn through the black vinyl. There is a
split back that can be folded forward for access to a small storage
area behind the seats. Some of this area is being taken up by
expanded stereo speakers mounted up high behind the seats and some
spare parts are here as well. A black original dash is upfront, and
the gauge cluster utilizes square and rectangle gauges, and some
wood applique panels for accenting. Black floor mats with some
black embroidering edge banding covers the floors. A tight black
vinyl headliner is above and has some slight edge damage on the
driver's side.
Drivetrain
A peek under the hood reveals an engine bay covered in a fine
dusting of rust and dirt and grime. Within its confines sits a
350ci V8 backed with a 3-speed automatic TH350 transmission, and a
10-bolt rear with 2.42 gears.
Undercarriage
A heavy coating of surface rust is seen throughout. Some invasive
rust has taken over the rear portion of the floorpans and the toe
kick areas of this underside too. The bottoms of the doors are
heavily rusted when looking at them from underneath. Power disc
brakes are upfront and power drums for the rear.
In need of some TLC both mechanically and cosmetically with a
smidge of undercarriage repairs in your future too. A 1974 Example
ready for some wrenching and a comeback story to go along with the
wrenching.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
