"Chevrolet's fifth generation El Camino arrived for 1978, aligned
with GM's wholesale downsizing and a shift onto the lighter, more
space efficient G-body platform shared with Malibu variants. The
recipe remained classic El Camino: passenger car drivability with a
pickup bed, now wearing cleaner aerodynamics, tighter dimensions,
and far better fuel economy than its predecessor."
Motogallery.com
For consignment, a 1978 Chevrolet El Camino showing 79,998 miles,
but the true miles are unknown due to exemption. More than 54,000
El Caminos were produced in 1978 with most of them being the base
model with a variety of engine options.
Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by
the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws
to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public
highways in your area.*
Exterior
The Burnt Orange Metallic paint is a very nice choice here and the
lines of the car are accentuated by a body kit that includes
cladding along the rocker panel and a cowled hood and clean,
monochromatic coverage. Up front, the familiar Malibu grille and
headlight configuration along with straight chrome bumper is
enhanced by a front spoiler. Out back, a clean tailgate and smooth
fender edges rely on the chrome bumper to house the characteristic
tail lights, all behind a clean bed, painted to match, with a
fitted rubber mat. The B-pillars form flying buttresses that flank
the tinted rear window trimmed in stainless. 15-inch Chevrolet
Rally wheels are the perfect set of shoes, here with white lettered
tires in a slightly staggered width. Imperfections include cracking
paint in the bumper fillers, various touched up scratches and
chips, and a few that haven't been touched up.
Interior
Camel door panels in typical G-body configuration line the long
doors with vinyl, plastic, and gold carpet covering different
layers. There's some patina here in the form of deglazing of the
plastic chrome trim and few chips on the plastic. For seats, we
have black vinyl buckets with head restraints and both are in good
shape ahead of a speaker panel on the black, back wall. A sport
steering wheel now fronts the stock dashboard with horizontal
layout of the speedometer and two side boxes for the gas gauge and
analog clock. In the simple center, we have the A/C panel over a
modern AM/FM/CD radio followed by an added tri-pack gauge cluster
mounted to the bottom of the dash. On the transmission tunnel,
there is a B&M shifter over clean black carpet protected by
black mats in the footwells, all under the tan and slightly wavy
headliner and visors above.
Drivetrain
The bay presents cleanly and houses a consignor stated 383ci
stroker V8 with a Holley 4-barrel over an Edelbrock intake. It's
mated to a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission that routes power
to the 10 bolt rear axle. Headers are onboard under the finned
valve covers. Our consignor states that the water pump is on its
way out and a new one is included with the sale.
Undercarriage
Super clean underneath with no rust and no errant fluids. The dual
exhaust runs through Thrush mufflers and exit through contoured
gaps in the body cladding behind the rear wheels. We note the lack
of catalytic converters. Power brakes are on board as front disc
and rear drum and suspension includes coil springs front and rear
with a 4 link in back.
Drive-Ability
The epic analog clock is sadly not working, but all other
functional items on this ride do, including the powerful V8 which
carries us around the test loop in impressing fashion while the
ride tracks straight and handling is typical G-body with maybe a
bit less weight in back. We're satisfied with our short test and
take this back to the mall to find a spot in the truck room, or a
car room? No, we'll put it in the truck room! While Classic Auto
Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of
our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working
at the time of your purchase.
Here's a clean, well-sorted El Camino with a visually enhancing
body kit, clean paint, and a solid engine, (other than that water
pump). If you've been looking to get back into the El Camino game,
consider drafting this player into your roster. It's a home
run!
1W80U8R473687
1-Chevrolet
W-El Camino
80-2 Door Pickup Delivery
U-305ci 2bbl V8
8-1978
R-Arlington, TX Assy Plant
473687-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 78 1AW80-1978 El Camino 2 Door Pickup Delivery
BDY R190478-Arlington Body #
TR 62V-Camel Vinyl
A52-Custom Deluxe Bench Seat
PNT 63L 63U-Camel Metallic
06A-1st Week June
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.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
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
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
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