1971 Chevrolet El Camino

Among the first hybrid vehicles in the history of the automotive industry, the Chevrolet El Camino, a combination car-truck, featured the practicality of a pickup truck, while maintaining performance car status. Chevy dealers across the U.S. showcase vintage models like the El Camino in their showrooms, while awaiting a possible new release. Chevrolet promoted it as, “the most beautiful thing that ever shouldered a load!”. Even claiming, “It rides and handles like a convertible yet hauls and hustles like the workingest thing on wheels.”

For consignment, a pre gas crisis, pre emissions, pre muscle car killing legislation car that has had a restoration and has been modified with a Pro Street treatment. A definite power upgrade, this farm to church hauler, otherwise known as "Fat Ass" thanks in parts to the huge rear tires and the painted logoing on the tailgate. A few dents and dings, scratches, all in all a very nice paint job, and indeed painted on stripes. Dig further my friend and stay thirsty for more info.

Exterior
With straight steel panels and well minded gaps, this car is dipped in retina searing orange paint, then to top off the orange some stripes have been added to the scooped hood. These are black and have been painted on then clear coated over. New bumpers with near perfect chrome adorn the front and rear of this truck and from the B pillar forward its “look…! it's a Chevelle”, but from the B pillar rearward, its “look! …it's a hauler.” All other trim on this truck has been given a blackout treatment, including the trim around the new glass. Lifting open the bed cover we are met with a modified to accept the large rear tire texture coated bed and the gate functions flawlessly. Speaking of the tailgate, it has been painted with a centauride with an exaggerated posterior along with a pointing donkey and this truck's name sake...."Fat Ass". Throw on some 15'' rally wheels, the rears being widened to accept the 31x21.50-15 steam rollers on the back, and we have just a beautiful presentation of the exterior seen here.

Interior
KISS is the theme from the interior, but only when referring to the color. For the doors we get a mix of broadcloth with vertical ribbed stitching and black carpet below. Crossing over the perfect threshold which holds back a sea of black pristine clean carpeting which is protected by rubber mats. Late model bucket seats with tall headrests provide room for 2 and are wrapped in black leather. These seats show a bit of age wear and cracking but no significant tearing. Here we can take in the original dash and gauges as well as the Grant GT steering wheel, and trio of aftermarket gauges. An AM/FM/CD stereo is now installed for your listening pleasure, and we also note the factory heat and defrost slides. All of this is topped by a black padded topper which presents with some cracks, particularly in the center. Note and a shout out to the T-handled, B&M shift lever in the middle of the burl and black late model console between the buckets.

Drivetrain
This 350ci V8 circa 1977-1979 is crammed under the hood and shows nicely with its chrome K&N air cleaner cover, gray Moroso valve covers and bolt ons. A black GM block is present, and little to no corrosion or rust is noted anywhere. This 350ci V8 makes a consignor stated 350hp thanks in part to a Pete Jackson gear drive, HEI ignition and a Holley Brawler series single 4-barrel carb mounted to an Edelbrock aluminum intake. A TH400 3-speed automatic transmission with a shift kit throws power rearward to a narrowed Ford 9" rear with 33 spline axles and 3.50 gearing and then the rear tires smoke?!?

Undercarriage
Some slight surface rust on the suspension but all else looks new. Solid floor pans, rockers and frame which have been repainted black persist in this simple undercarriage environment. A Dynomax exhaust works its way rearward in dual form from the headers which show only the beginnings of surface rust. Power disc brakes are up front and power drum brakes on the back, and we note a True Wall driveshaft. Providing the ride up front is an independent coil spring suspension and on the back, attached to the Pro Street framework is a ladder bar arrangement with coil overs.

Drive-Ability
These late 60's early 70's muscle cars in Pro Street format never cease to amaze me and this one is all buttoned up and ready to perform for you. Just sneak it a treat of high test gas and it will stand on its own two rear tires… (well maybe not!), but it performs beautifully, great acceleration, good solid braking, and there is almost no better feeling in the world than watching passersby gawk at my Fat Ass…the tires you degenerate, they were looking at the tires. All working save for the turn signals and the horn, otherwise all good for the test track drive.
A very nice job has been done overall as to the restification of this car/truck. With added power, nice paint, and huge rear wheels, this car can haul hay or haul ass, or both, although the hay may all go away prior to arriving at your intended destination. To quote the immortal words of the beloved Freddie Mercury, "Fat Bottom Girls, You Make the Rockin' World Go Round"!

VIN DECODE
136801B156949
1-Chevrolet
36-Custom El Camino
80-2 Door Sedan Pickup
1-1971
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
156949-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
ST 71 13680-1971 Custom El Camino 2 Door Sedan Pickup
BDY B467???-Baltimore Body #
TR 731-Antique Jade Green Elk Coated Fabric Bench
PNT 42-Cottonwood Green
02B-2nd Week February Build

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.