Vehicle Description
With the handsome good looks of a Chevelle and the utility of a
pickup, the El Camino offers the best of both worlds: performance
and practicality. This incredible big block-powered 1972 Chevrolet
El Camino has been pro-built to further blur the lines that
separate vehicles: big performance, killer good-looks, and a whole
lot of comfort.
The point wasn't to build a restored stocker or a pedigrees
showcar, but rather a vicious performer with show-stopping looks
and off-the-charts curb appeal. There's an argument to be made that
the single-headlight A-Body Chevelles and Elkys are the most
attractive of the bunch (aka the '71 and '72 year models), and you
can't argue with the bright yellow paint on this car/truck in terms
of eyeball appeal. The bodywork is beautifully finished and the
workmanship is shown to great effect thanks to the fresh two-stage
urethane paint job. Black Lemans-style stripes on the hood are the
perfect dancing partner to the vibrant finish, and they were
painted on specifically to augment the cowl hood. These vehicles
typically led harder lives than your average Chevelle, and finding
a clean one, let along investing enough to bring it to this
condition, is pretty tough. Gaps are good and a lot of time was
invested in getting the body panels this straight. A few details
were shaved, including all the emblems, and a cowl-induction hood
and blacked-out front grille were both fitted to give this Elky
just the right aggressive look. Out back, the original steel bed
was finished with black spray-in liner and a heavy-duty liner, just
in case you want to actually do some work with this one.
Custom ProCar bucket seats offer a new look that matches the
exterior. They're aggressive, sure, but this car has the kind of
performance that needs that kind of body-hugging hardware. Carpets,
headliner, and door panels are reproduction pieces that look good
and fit right, and in basic black, it's hard to go wrong. The dash
is original, but a few Moon Eyes gauges have been fitted in a
custom engine-turned panel, along with an auxiliary tachometer
mounted under the dash. There is no stereo, but Vintage Air
supplied a direct-fit system that makes it look like a
factory-installed set-up with an original style control panel, and
with modern hardware and R134a refrigerant working behind the
scenes, it's quite effective. Power steering, power front disc
brakes, and a built TH400 3-speed automatic transmission all make
this a no-compromises hobby car that's simply a blast to drive.
If your idea of entertainment runs more towards G-forces rather
than decibels, you'll be relieved to know that the engine is
packing a bunch of heat. The big block V8 was built by NHRA legend
Joey Gross about 10,000 miles ago, and you'd better believe it's as
nasty as it looks (in a good way). It's Generation 5, 4-bolt main
block (from 1991) punched out to 462 cubic inches, fitted with 10:1
pistons, a Comp Cams 280 Extreme camshaft, roller rockers on a set
of Edelbrock Performer aluminum heads and a high-flow oil pump.
Induction is handled by a Quick Fuel Technologies 750 double pumper
carburetor and an Edelbrock Air-Gap intake manifold, and there's a
beautiful set of Hedman headers handling the 3-inch dual exhaust.
There's a big aluminum radiator up front keeping the whole show
nice and cool, along with a trick billet aluminum accessory drive
setup made by March Performance that makes the big block look super
sanitary. The transmission is a built TH400 3-speed automatic with
a shift-kit feeding a 12-bolt rear with 3.42 gears on a Posi, so
you shouldn't have concerns about dropping the loud pedal now and
then. The suspension is upgraded with parts from CPP, so it sits
right, and power steering and power front disc brake greatly
improve the ride quality of this Elky. Sporty yet
traditional-looking Billet Specialties 'Old Style' wheels stuff the
wheel wells, wearing 245/45/17 front and 275/40/17 rear performance
radials.
This is a really nice car, er, truck. The motor sounds downright
vicious blowing through those pipes, and you won't be keeping a low
profile with that bright yellow paint. But if there are times when
you just feel like relaxing, the air-conditioned interior is a
great place to be. Call it a truck, call it a car, either way
you're going to love this El Camino. Call today!