1972 Chevrolet El Camino SS

Description

The good looks of a Chevelle and the utility of a pickup bed are still hard to beat, even after four decades. This handsome 1972 Chevrolet El Camino sports a built 350 under the hood and a great look, making it one of the few muscle cars that will be happy to go to work with you. Practical speed, that's the El Camino.

Obviously black is one of those colors that will never go out of style. Smooth, slick, and thoroughly up to date, this sinister black SS most certainly looks the part of a heavy-hitter on the street. A cowl-induction hood certainly helps with that impression, although we kind of like that they skipped the SS stripes and kept it kind of low-profile. The paint job is older but fit and finish are decent, good enough to fit in at the local cruise night. There's some age on the paint but black looks great no matter what you do with it and it panel gaps are pretty good. They didn't go crazy with the customization, and with a black vinyl top, it looks a little upscale and stands out from the rest of the El Caminos that'll be around town. The bed, which is the place where it's easiest to tell how serious the owner was about his work, shows extremely well with no major dings or damage, and features a spray-in bedliner to help it survive a few jobs around the house.

El Camino interiors are another nice combination of street car comfort and commercial vehicle practicality. A bench seat allows three passengers and heavy-duty floor mats add some contrast. The seat is in great shape, and if the seat cover is original it's shockingly nice for being more than 40 years old. The dash is in very good shape but since the gauges cover just the basics, it includes the usual aftermarket dials underneath. The carpets show a little age since black is so hard to protect from the effects of UV rays, but they look great and fit well. This El Camino also features factory A/C, although the system needs to be serviced. There's also an AM/FM/8-track stereo in the dash, which is a cool throwback piece, and the subwoofers behind the seat ensure it still sounds great.

The engine is a great running 350 cubic inch "Turbo Fire" V8 that's ideal in the multi-purpose truck/car. With a Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, a modest cam, and HEI ignition, the orange powerplant is content to churn out torque at any speed and laughs at loads in the bed. Painted valve covers and a chrome air cleaner dress it up even though it's not too far from stock, and with power steering and brakes, this hauler is a breeze to maneuver in traffic or parking lots. Cast iron manifolds control heat and noise, feeding a true dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers and chrome tips just under the bumper to keep it looking sporty. The TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and 12-bolt rear mean that you don't ever have to worry about breakage, and while it's not show quality underneath, it doesn't show any signs of life in an inclement climate, either. Factory Rally wheels are an ideal choice, and sport 235/60/15 white-letter radials at all four corners.

Always attractive and eminently usable, this El Camino is a very affordable way to own the A-list muscle you've always wanted without a huge investment. Call today!