Vehicle Description
1983 Chevrolet El Camino
"I can't get over it. I've had many cool cars, many expensive cars.
But when I drive my El Camino I feel special. I wash my car in my
driveway, and lots of times guys driving by slow down and ask me
"what year is it?" or "do I want to sell her". I get gas for my
elky, and like tonight a guy walks by and says "nice Camino". While
I'm driving her I know she is different and stands out. She's not
like any other car I've owned. I can say without any doubt that I
love this car. I'll never sell her." This is a post
fromelcaminocentral.comand it's an unbelievably common sentiment
heard from El Camino owners.
For consignment, a 1983 Chevrolet El Camino with a recently rebuilt
454ci big block and our consignor tells us she puts out almost 700
horsepower. Only about 24,000 El Camino's were built in 1983 which
is not exactly rare, but surviving nice examples might be. In many
cases, they were used as a pickup truck and eventually wore out or
suffered from rust. Here's a nice, built example that can really
haul!
Exterior
This two tone design was common for this, the last generation El
Camino. The Maroon and Silver combination not only gives the car an
authentic look, but shrouds what might be lurking under the hood.
And speaking of the hood, one immediately notices a Trans Am type
shaker in the middle of it. So much for secrets, this hints that
something is going on underneath. The Malibu front end conveys a
fairly basic design, dual headlights, an egg crate grille over a
wrap around chrome bumper. Taillights are embedded in the back
bumper leaving the tailgate and rear fenders free of interruption
except for the license plate cove. Silver from the roof spills out
along the top side of the bed while the two coats of Rhino coating
in the bed have been color matched, a nice attention to detail we
rarely see. Deep dish 15-inch American Racing wheels with argent
gray spokes and a brushed aluminum rim give this car a bit more
presence than the stock wheels would and slightly wider tires in
back provide a nice profile. Overall the paint is in good condition
and our list of imperfections include some texture on the cut out
around the shaker, some peeling of the Rhino on the tailgate and a
crack in the bed, some bubbling on the silver near the rocker
panel, and an area of orange peel like patterning.
Interior
Velour was all the rage in this era, and we find it first on the
door panels, a little bit loose in some areas and combined with
various shades of red on the plastic mid-panel where the armrest
resides. Red velour bucket seats in a tuck and roll pattern appear
in good condition and wear headrests up above, while a speaker box
tucks behind the seats. A wood rimmed Grant steering wheel greets
the driver and bowtie emblazoned gauges fill a red backed panel on
the dash. A padded red frame surrounds the later model Delco
AM/FM/CD radio and the glovebox, while a tall B&M shifter
postures in the center console. A homemade armrest fits between the
seats and race inspired foot pedals occupy the driver's footwell.
Low pile crimson carpet covers the floor and a soft, red headliner
floats above.
Drivetrain
Here's where the rubber hits the road, as they say, when we gaze
upon the very clean 454ci big block with Edelbrock heads, an
Edelbrock intake, and a Holley 750cfm double pumper 4-barrel
carburetor perched on top. A 700R4 4-speed automatic is connected
to the engine and this one has heavy duty clutches installed,
sending power back to the 10 bolt rear. Also under the hood are
Hooker headers, MSD ignition and a high compression starter. Our
consignor states that a May 2024 tune up included plugs and wires.
This is an impressive engine bay and a powerful engine that's
brought to a stop via power disc brakes on all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Super clean underneath with virtually no surface rust or errant
liquids to speak of. Dual exhaust comes off the headers, connects
with an H pipe, then meets a pair of Flowmaster mufflers before
exiting stealthily under the car before the back bumper. We note
the absence of catalytic converters. Suspension includes coil
springs up front and a 4 four link with coils in the rear.
Drive-Ability
Holy Toledo! This fired up with a raucous roar and its sleeper
status went right out the door. And so did we, onto the test loop
with the tall El Camino with enormous power underfoot. It wants to
get up and go but we just need a soft check of operational items
and so our loop is kept cool. Everything works except one oddity;
the turn signals only work when the headlights are turned off.
The concept of couple utility was born in Australia, believe it or
not, and their idea was "a vehicle to go to church on Sunday, and
carry pigs to market on Monday". This dual duty El Camino has a
third function and that's providing pure fun. With a stated 700
horsepower, the only thing that might be missing from this ride are
some sandbags in the bed and wheelie bars out back!
1GCCW8GH2DR229314
1-USA
G-General Motors
C-Chevrolet Truck
C-4001 Thru 5000 GVWR
W-El Camino
80-2 Door Sedan Pickup
H-305ci V8
2-Check Digit
D-1983
R-Arlington, TX Assy Plant
229314-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
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.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
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in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
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