1979 Chevrolet El Camino

Description

IпїЅll be the first to say it: I didnпїЅt know El Caminos could be this cool. Sure, we all love their unbeatable combination of performance and practicality, but to take one to this level, give it a Pro-Touring stance and a trick two-tone paint job, well, that takes a special kind of visionary.

This car attracts a ton of attention, and suspecting that would be the case, the guys who built it spent a ton of extra time on the details. This isnпїЅt your average, run-of-the-mill beater Elky, this one was a super-clean original car that was taken to the next level by guys who could probably be called artists, not just bodymen. Gaps are excellent, and the two-tone urethane paint is about a mile deep, even up close. Look closely and youпїЅll appreciate how the two-tone treatment doesnпїЅt just bisect the car, but follows a very subtle line through the middle that youпїЅve probably never noticed in single-color paint schemes. With a hard-shell tonneau cover and a surface-mount hood scoop, it looks smooth yet aggressive, and the deep chin spoiler, body-colored bumpers and factory chrome grill all work together quite well.

The 21st century has arrived inside, where an equally slick two-tone interior is the ideal complement to the fabulous bodywork. ThatпїЅs the original bench, now wearing custom-stitched hides with light gray piping. The factory dash was retained, including the stock instruments, but thereпїЅs a column-mounted tach thatпїЅs just visible through the billet spokes of the custom LeCarrera steering wheel and a full array of auxiliary gauges on the A-pillar. Matching door panels were fitted, along with new carpet and a fresh headliner to make it feel new inside, and I especially like the custom bezel for the Hurst shifterпїЅa nice touch. Entertainment comes courtesy of a new AM/FM/CD stereo head unit, and youпїЅll note that this is a factory A/C car, whose system has been completely rebuilt and blows ice cold.

A 350 cubic inch Chevy V8 is the right choice, since it bolts right in and makes big power without a lot of fuss. Beautifully dressed with satin black valve covers and a matching air cleaner, itпїЅs a great way to bring everything up to date. Contrasting red details like the lettering on the air cleaner and a set of bright red plug wires add visual interest, and itпїЅs quite obvious that someone spent a lot of time planning this build. One look underneath will convince you that this has always been a rust-free truck, although a 4-speed manual transmission was never on this particular ElkyпїЅs options list. A new dual exhaust system gives it a great voice, new air shocks out back allow it to still haul anything you can throw at it, and the lowered stance looks right. 17-inch Torque Thrust style wheels with black centers wear Goodyear radials.

You wonпїЅt find a cooler El Camino anywhere, and if your tastes run towards Pro-Touring more than Pro-Street, this is your truck. Call today!