1964 Chevrolet El Camino

Description

This handsome Harley-Davidson-inspired 1964 Chevrolet El Camino is perhaps an idea whose time has come again. With pickup trucks selling in record numbers, maybe the automotive buying public would appreciate a utility vehicle with the performance and comfort of a car and the utility of a truck. It worked in 1964, giving the mid-sized Chevelle a blue collar stable mate, and went on to sell successfully for more than two decades.

With a recent repaint in black and orange and the big blower hanging out of the hood, it's hard to miss this El Camino, but you'll be struck by just how right it looks. There isn't an awkward line anywhere on the car, and the grafting of the pickup bed onto the Chevelle's front clip is seamless, a testament to the stylists at GM. The paint and bodywork remain in good condition throughout, with decent panel gaps and straight sheetmetal that has apparently never been rusty. The paint is two-stage urethane, so it'll be easy to maintain and the cool airbrushed Harley Davidson graphics on the bed sides give it a unique identity that looks familiar (even though today's H-D trucks are from the Blue Oval). The bed has obviously seen some use, but then what's the point of having a truck if you can't put it to work now and again? I guarantee you'll be the only one at the Home Depot with one of these carrying your supplies.

Thanks to its Chevelle DNA, the El Camino benefits from the myriad of interior choices available to Chevelle restorers, including the two-tone bucket seats found in this Elky. A subtle contrast to the bright paint, the interior is so pretty you're almost afraid to sit in it. Using two-tone L.L. Bean leather and a factory look surely help maintain the upscale feel, but a few smart upgrades help make this a car that can be driven daily. The dark tan door panels look great and the orange accents and black dash pad carry the exterior look into the cabin. The carpets are a little dingy and might be the first thing to need attention, but you'll be pleased with how much room the bucket seats create. A four-spoke steering wheel works with the B&M shifter on the transmission tunnel to make it feel racy and there's a pair of auxiliary gauges under the dash.

Familiar can also describe the powertrain, which is comprised of a 350 cubic inch Chevy V8 topped by a Weiand supercharger. Although it wasn't intended to look stock, it does have an awesome look with the big Demon carb and air cleaner sticking through the hood. Chevy Orange paint and polished aluminum valve covers look right and it's equipped with power steering and brakes so it's still easy to handle on the street. It's a great runner, properly tuned to run with boost, and with a huge aluminum radiator up front, the blown engine never makes you sweat in traffic. It's backed by a sturdy TH400 3-speed automatic transmission and the original 10-bolt rear end, which is plenty given the lightweight bodywork. The underside is pretty original so it's not show-quality, but it looks as if this truck has lived someplace warm most of its life. The long-tube headers and dual exhaust sound great and classic chrome Torque Thrust wheels and 205/70/15 Goodyear radials are the right choice for a traditional look.

With all the goodness of a Chevelle and the practicality of a truck, perhaps it's time to revisit the El Camino. Better yet, take this supercharged Harley Davidson tribute home instead. Call today!