Vehicle Description
1972 Chevrolet El Camino SS Tribute
Elvis tribute artists are not impersonators. They emulate Elvis,
they're not trying to be him. They look a bit different, they might
not sing as well, and it's likely they don't have the charisma of
the King, no one does. But they give it their best shot and are
widely appreciated. Cars can be the same way, you can have one that
pays tribute to a special model and attain some of the attributes,
but the price of admission is going to be less.
For consignment, a 350ci V8 powered El Camino paying tribute to the
legend, the Elky Super Sport. It's got the right look with SS trim
elements and has been well loved showing 165,016 miles. 57,000 El
Caminos were produced in 1972, the same year Elvis played Madison
Square Garden, and they were mostly used as work trucks, work
trucks with a muscle car front end. Today, those that have survived
are considered uncommon collectibles.
Exterior
Pewter Silver Metallic was one of over 15 colors available on El
Caminos in 1972 and this car wears it well. It's enhanced by the
black SS stripes on the hood. The chrome bumpers, trim around the
wheel wells, side mirrors and other metal work is in nice
condition. Hood pins and a cowl induction emblem accompany the
stripes and add to the illusion. Proper SS emblems are on the
fenders, grille, and tailgate. The rear has that special appeal
with truck-like features, the black band across the center of the
tailgate with reverse lights embedded is especially cool and the
dual oval exhaust looks like business. The bed is very clean and
the car is equipped with 15-inch Chevrolet rally wheels wrapped in
235/60/15 in front and 255/60/15 tires in the back, all with a 2022
date code. A few minor imperfections in the paint were noticed
including one crack and an area of drip, otherwise very nice
conditions prevail.
Interior
The clean interior starts with black vinyl doors with the tuck and
roll panel and crank handles for the main windows and vent windows.
The vinyl pattern is mirrored on the split bench seat which is in
good condition and hides a skinny spare tire behind them. The
steering wheel has a horizontal horn that creates two connection
points from the center and on the left side, we notice a crack in
the plastic. A column shifter leaves the center floor wide open.
The textured black plastic of the gauge cluster surround is pure
70's and the gauges themselves are intact but a bit hazy. The
additional pieces on the simple dash include an AM/FM/Cassette
radio, A/C controls, and the requisite cigarette lighter. Auxiliary
gauges below the dash include amps, water temp, and oil pressure.
The loop style black carpet shows some wear on the driver's side
and some looseness, but overall decent while the perforated
headliner is in good shape.
Drivetrain
A period correct 350ci V8 is under that cowl hood and is fed
through a single, 4-barrel carburetor on an Edelbrock intake. The
original, numbers matching transmission is in place and that is a
TH350 3-speed automatic. A 10-bolt rear houses 2.73 gears while
power brakes bring it all to a stop, disc up front, drum in the
rear. Our consignor states the battery is new and hoses have been
replaced.
Undercarriage
We were pleasantly surprised by the relative cleanliness under this
car which has over 150,000 miles. The gas tank looks practically
brand new, there's very little surface rust to speak of, and the
dual exhaust runs from headers to Cherrybomb mufflers and off to
those chrome tips we mentioned earlier all in fine condition. Coil
springs on the independent front suspension and 4-link with coil
springs is noted out back. Everything is clean and dry with the
exception of some oil near the output shaft seal and just a touch
on the flywheel cover.
Drive-Ability
A pump of the gas and turn of the key and the 350 cubes fired right
up and sounded great. We love the truck like cab in the height of a
car and cowl hood is a great thing to see on the horizon. The car
ran well through the three gears and turned well. Everything seemed
to be in working order and it was a great runner.
You love the look and features of the El Camino SS but you want one
you can drive, enjoy, and even take to shows without the worry of a
rare collectible accruing mileage. Heck, Cobra people do it all the
time, and people buy tickets to tribute bands just to get a taste
of the real thing. And that's what we have here, a well sorted,
nicely presented '72 Elky that will definitely turn some heads.
1D80H2B523172
1-Chevrolet
D-El Camino
80-2 Door Sedan Pickup
H-350ci 2bbl L65 V8
2-1972
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
523172-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 72 13680-1972 El Camino 2 Door Sedan Pickup
BDY B174445-Baltimore Body #
TR 704 A52-Black ElK CTO/Coated Fabric
PNT 14B-Pewter Silver Metallic, Black Vinyl Top
09A-1st Week September
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collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
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