![]() The paint has flaked off, and its exposed flanks are sunburned to the point of surface rust. The exterior, while appearing to be mostly solid, has done a turn or two in the box with the hot, southwestern sun. The only thing noted is the lack of a drive belt for the A/C compressor. The engine in this example looks amazingly original and non-modified. The owner of this example states that the 245 net HP engine, “ Runs and drives will need to be trailered“. The owner of a Chevrolet dealership where I worked those two years ordered up a small fleet of so-equipped El Caminos in the spring of both years because he knew they were popular – and they did sell by mid-summer. What did sell in ’73, and ’74 was a Camino equipped with a 454 CI V8 engine and a four-speed manual transmission – and that’s how this example is outfitted. But it’s the previous generation (’68-’72) that gets most of the market attention. Why no love for this generation? Could it be the expanded girth with its jutting 5 MPH jaw? The Clean Air Act loss of power? Or just the general styling? Hard to say but according to 71K copies saw the light of day for the ’73 model year an absolute one year, high watermark. This unusually configured El Camino SS is located in Pahrump, Nevada and is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $6,900. This looks to be a truck that you could drive as-is for a while before pouring money into restoration.Is it possible that the fourth-generation Chevrolet El Camino (’73-’77) is the Rodney Dangerfield of Caminos? You know the one that gets no respect? Well, if that’s the case, this specific 1973 example is due a tip of the hat as a result of how it’s equipped. On the other hand, the color change would deduct a few points. Hagerty says that top dollar for a ’73 El Camino is in the low $20,000s, although we suspect the SS trim and 454 will fetch a little more coin. Additional gauges were added, but they’re not all hooked up. The interior looks okay for its age and has swivel bucket seats for easy entry and exit. We’re told that all the SS trim it came new is still present. The pickup comes with a camper topper which is said to be in great shape except for one flaw on the driver’s side. Other than surface rust, the seller doesn’t believe that corrosion is a factor. The color was changed from light metallic copper to the white you see today. ![]() Some mechanical improvements have been made, such as an MSD distributor, Edelbrock intake manifold and new carburetor, dual exhaust, and new rear shocks, alternator, battery, and upgrades to the air conditioning system.Īlthough original in appearance, the paint has been redone and needs it again. We’re told it runs well but does use a little oil. The seller doesn’t know if the drivetrain is original to the truck, however, but does say that a prior owner did a rebuild as the vehicle has 109,000 miles on it today. As the VIN will verify, this pickup has the 454 Y-code engine, paired with an automatic transmission. ![]() The seller bought this ’73 El Camino a few months back to restore, but time and room aren’t going to permit that, so it must change hands again. Unfortunately, there is no breakdown as to how many were built as SS models since that was an option, not a series. For ‘73, GM built 71,753 El Caminos and rebadged GMC Sprints. The fourth-generation took on the styling characteristics of the Colonnade look that GM used between 1973-77. Although based on corresponding GM car lines, the El Camino was classified as a pickup by the DMV. Launched in 1959 in response to Ford’s Ranchero, the El Camino was a full-size truck at first, took a three-year break, then returned as an intermediate using the Chevelle platform and wagon chassis until 1987. It’s available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $6,700, but the reserve is still waiting. Located in Mariposa, California, this truck looks to be in good, used condition, and ready for some more adventures. This 1973 edition was ordered with Chevy’s big-block 454 V8 engine and SS (Super Sport) trim, adding some muscle to the package, although not as beefier as once was. It was a “Gentlemen’s Pickup” that was part car/part truck. For most of its life, the Chevy El Camino ran parallel to the mid-size Chevelle. ![]()
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