Vehicle Description
1978 Chevrolet El Camino
A new, trimmer El Camino was unveiled in 1978, adopting the new,
more sharp-edged Malibu styling, and a one-inch longer wheelbase of
117.1 inches. The front end sheet metal and doors were shared with
the Malibu, and the rear bumper was shared with the Malibu station
wagon. For the first time, though, the El Camino had a unique
chassis - it was shared with no other Chevrolet. The front end
featured a new single rectangular headlight design. The base engine
was a 200-cubic-inch V6 that developed 95hp except in California
where, to meet emissions standards, the 231ci Buick engine was the
base engine. Two upgrades could be ordered: a 305ci V8 with 145 hp,
or a 350ci V8 with 170hp that was only available in El Caminos and
Malibu station wagons. It was not available on Malibu passenger
cars, (with exception to coupe and sedan Malibu 9C1 police
vehicles). The El Camino trims started with the base model, then
the Conquista which mainly consisted of a special paint treatment
and finally the Super Sport which was the sports model available
with six-cylinder and V8 engines. Chevrolet later offered a Black
Knight model in 1978 which ended production after only 1,200
examples were produced due to legal problems with the rights
holders over the use of the name. This model featured a large hood
emblem of two dragons and a knight, and would be reworked and
relaunched for 1979 as the Royal Knight option for Super Sport
models.
For consignment, a 1978 version of the El Camino. A well kept truck
refinished in Flame Red and well taken care of on the inside. A
nice red on red exterior and interior, the original 350ci and
optioned with the Super Sport package that gave the buyer a fully
instrumented dash, bucket seats, the console mounted shifter and
plain old good classic hauler looks. It runs very well, has a few
faults here and there, but a car you can haul hay during the week
and take to church on Sunday.
Due to varying emissions control devices being removed, please
check with your state, county, local or provincial motor vehicle
department to verify the ability to legally register this vehicle
in your area***
Exterior
Dupont Cronar code 81 Flame Red paint coats the side slabbed steel
that is rust free but does show with a few areas of orange peel and
solvent pop. No chrome trim for body sides, just a thin white pin
stripe and larger than life white SS badge attached to the front
fenders. A new GM replacement bumper with a Flame Red chin spoiler
below leads the way up front with a ribbed chrome grille just
above. This SS badged grille is flanked on either side by integral
parking lights and single rectangle headlights, again all bedecked
in chrome. Adding to the muscle truck look is a fiberglass cowl
induction hood that races its way back to the lightly tinted
windshield. All new shiny brightwork wraps around the glass and
door frames and also wraps around the top of the bed. Speaking of
the bed, it has been topped with a black snap on tonneau and the
inside is finished in Flame Red and is looking just fab with no
wear or scratches, just a few dings. 15-inch Buick Grand National
wheels make and appearance on all 4 corners and are wrapped with
clean blackwall rubber. Our consignor is also includingthe original
hood and a can of touch up paint for this...uh truck...uh car!
Interior
Nicely preserved puffy dark red vinyl adorns the doors, along with
a bottom panel of red carpet, a moldedcentral arm rest, and fine
cranks, power lock toggles and handles. Well preserved and
overstuffeddark red vinyl buckets with tuck and roll inserts and
smooth bolsters flanks a central console that holds a small
armrest/glovebox and automatic shifter with a faux carbon fiber
surround. A storage compartment hovers between the dash and console
and is laden with more carbon fiber. Iconic square design for the
dash, with major usage of rectangles and squares, holding the round
factory gauges includinga factory tachometer, knobs, slides and a
joystick for the passengers mirror. Dash central is making way for
the heater/AC slides and just below is a Kenwood AM/FM/CD radio,
and is making use of some more carbon fiber decaling. Bright red
carpet floods the floors,all the while protected by black carpeted
mats, and a maroon headliner floats above the seats.
Drivetrain
The original 350ci V8 sits within the original but very clean
engine bay. It sports a 4-barrel carburetor and has been dressed up
with a pleated open element air cleaner assembly. A circa 1978
TH350 3-speed automatic transmission attached to the rear. A
10-bolt differential takes the power from the mill/transmission
setup and puts it to the rear wheels.
Undercarriage
Only surface rust here and it'svery minor, the tubs are sturdy, and
some scratching off of the paint on the rockers is seen but the
majority is finished in a pleasant matte black. Independent coil
spring and a 4 link with coil springs are on the front and rear
respectively for the suspension. Brakes are power disc up front,
and power drums on the rear. Dual exhaust, sans catalytic
converters, snake their way out of the engine bay and send spent
fossils through Flowmaster mufflers before meeting the atmosphere
behind the rear tires.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and decent driver. Thanks to the powerful V8 engine
acceleration was splendid and shifting was smooth but firm. All
functions were working at the time of our drive save for the AC
blowing warm, but we didn't check the payload capacity of this
car...er...truck.
Here we have a good example of the El Camino in Super Sport
badging. Well running with its original drivetrain, and in overall
very good to excellent condition. Look it's a car, no its a truck,
no it's an El Camino! Come into Classic Auto Mall and we will show
you "the way" to see this!
1W80L8K496675
1-Chevrolet
W-El Camino
80-2 Door Pickup Delivery
L-350ci V8
8-1978
K-Leeds, MO Assy Plant
496675-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
