1971 Chevrolet El Camino

Description

We've made the case for the practical and stylish Chevrolet El Camino here before, and with this handsome Lime Green 1971 Elky, it remains as true as ever. There's a great running, numbers-matching 350 cubic inch V8 under the hood, a smooth-shifting automatic transmission, cold factory A/C, and a super-clean bucket seat interior inside. Honestly, if you can find a muscle car more versatile than this one, you should buy it, because opportunities like this don't come around often.

Dressed in period-correct colors without a lot of dress-up, it's the archetypal El Camino, and personally, the '71s are my favorite with their single headlamps and side-mounted parking lights. The bodywork is quite nicely done, and despite several years of use, the finish still looks pretty darn good with only minor signs of use and age. Elkys have always been drivers, and this one is driver-grade through-and-through, although it manages to have quite a striking presence with that factory-correct Code 43 Lime Green finish. Dark Gray on the lower body tones down the lime green a bit and acts as a perfect complement to the otherwise high-impact shade, and when coupled with black vinyl top this car/truck looks very grown-up. They skipped things like the usual cowl induction hood, shaved handles, and gaudy wheels during the restoration, and the result makes this El Camino stand out in a crowd of the usual suspects. Beyond the style, the basics are quite good: the doors fit well, the hood sits flush, and the tailgate (which is nicely adorned with woodgrain trim) closes without a heavy slam. Bumpers, both front and rear, appear to be reproduction items or even very nice originals, and all the stainless trim and remaining brightwork is in great condition, too. The painted bed is protected by a heavy rubber mat that makes it practical and the sheetmetal underneath is in solid shape, more evidence that this El Camino has lived an easy life.

With bucket seats and a center console, this El Camino offers a very upscale feel inside - well beyond its blue-collar roots. High-back buckets are fitted with correct Jade reproduction seat covers that look very fresh, but it's possible that most of the interior is original or at least OEM. The matching green dash pad and plush green carpets are certainly too nice to be original but nevertheless look like they've always belonged, and with matching door panels at the flanks and a taut headliner above the cabin is very well-insulated. Factory gauges cover the basics and look clean, and although this is center console car the shifter for the automatic transmission is on the column. That steering wheel looks to be an original piece, but despite a couple minor cracks it's in great shape and easy to grip. Options include cold factory A/C, power steering and brakes, seatbelts, and an original AM/FM stereo that remarkably still works.

The engine is a strong-running, numbers-matching 350 cubic inch V8 that shows signs of maintenance and extensive care throughout. Like all small block Chevys, it is bulletproof reliable and delivers fun on the street without worrying about breakage. Wearing a correct air cleaner assembly and accompanying 350 decals, the engine is nicely dressed in Chevy Orange enamel on the valve covers and block itself, just like it looked back in 1971. There's a stock carburetor and intake up top, and the exhaust manifolds at the flanks are so clean they're likely newer to the engine, feeding directly into the dual exhaust below for a great throaty soundtrack that's period-perfect. That TH350 3-speed automatic transmission handles the gears, and it feeds the stock 10-bolt rear end out back that's more than capable of handling all the power and torque. Power steering and power front disc brakes improve the ride quality immensely, as do the upgraded air shocks out back. Traditional Rallye wheels always look right on Chevy muscle, and these wear fat 215/70/15 BFGoodrich T/A white-letter radials.

Properly sorted El Caminos are hard to find, and when they've led hard lives like most of their siblings, it's even more difficult. With a strong engine, handsome paint, and proven reliability, this is a turn-key car with a ton of practicality and style at a shockingly reasonable price. Call today!