350ci V8/TH350 3-Speed Auto/New Front Suspension/10-Bolt 3.07 Posi

1964 Chevrolet El Camino

The El Camino was a direct challenge to Ford's Ranchero, a utility coupe dominating a previously untapped market. GM flirted with coupe-type trucks such as the Chevrolet Cameo Carrier and the GMC Suburban Carrier in 1955, but they went all-in with the El Camino for the 1959 model year. The El Camino was built on a modified Brookwood Station Wagon platform. The first generation didn't last long. It could have been the new flamboyant wings of full-sized Chevys or perhaps the Ranchero's hefty stake in the market, but after just 2 years and 36,409 El Caminos produced, Chevy dropped the axe on the model. After dropping the axe on the original model GM decided to bring it back in 1964 as version 2 which lasted until 1967.

For consignment, a second generation El Camino which has had a restoration started with new wiring, front suspension, steering components, and brake upgrades. The car comes with new carpeting, door panels, sill plates, front floor pans, seat foam, and seat covers just to name some of the included parts. Now sporting a 350ci V8, automatic transmission and power steering and is ready for your skillful hands and imagination to take over.

Exterior
Mostly straight steel panels with decently minded gaps make up this car like pickup. The maroon respray is an older application, and has just a few scratches, chip off, surface rust, bubbling and invasive rust in various areas. We note the roof has been sprayed in a rust oxide primer and is showing some surface rust appearing to bleed through. Plenty of chrome trimmings surrounding the wheel wells, lining the top of the bed and defining the cabin glass, and all is in very nice condition. Front and rear bumpers as well as the front grille present in good condition but could stand an upgrade. The bed of this vehicle shows some in a textured spray in liner finish with some chip off and dings from 58 years of usage. On all 4 corners are 15-inch deep dish rally wheels with smooth center caps and polished trim rings. These rally wheels are wrapped in deep tread blackwall BF Goodrich radial rubber.

Interior
Opening the doors you will feast your eyes on black vinyl door panels with a simple tuck and roll vertical stitching, black padded arm rest and shiny chrome for the window crank and door release. They present in good used condition, but a new pair are included with the purchase. Black vinyl bolsters surround wide tuck and roll black inserts for the buckets and all present with no tears but evident degradation of the seat foam. A polished and ribbed console complete with Hurst T handle shifter races between the buckets and ends just under the dash. Up top the black steel dash displays with its original ribbed aluminum gauge insert. The large round gauges have apparent crazing of the face plastic and an aftermarket tachometer has been added between them. Various knobs and pulls in chrome are littered throughout this panel and factory radio has been replaced with a trio of gauges to monitor engine vitals. A back vinyl headliner hangs above and shows with some staining and soiling, while down below the carpeting has been removed and shows the steel flooring and black rubber mats.

Drivetrain
Nice patina surfaces show in the engine bay of this car/truck. An orange painted block rests between the black fenders and is a 350ci V8 circa 1977. A Edelbrock 4bbl carburetor feeds the engine through an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, and a TH350 3-speed automatic is attached to the back. Way back is a 10-bolt 3.07 Positraction rear. Of special note, we see a new power brake booster, power steering pump, new alternator, new aluminum radiator and all new wiring courtesy of American Auto Wire.

Undercarriage
A solid straight steel frame provides the backbone for this undercarriage. Patina and surface rust abound on all surfaces, and we note invasive rust being present in the floor pans. A new tubular independent coil spring suspension is seen on the front and for the rear we see a 4 link with coil springs. A new Borgesen power steering box and components have recently been added as well as power front disc brakes with power drum brakes bringing up the rear. Headers snake their way from the engine bay and lead to dual exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers with mildly surface rusted piping. A trailer hitch has also been added on the rear of the car/truck.

Drive-Ability
A pleasure to drive, very smooth running and a very nice ride. This car had good acceleration and came to a stop nicely with no pull. Of special note, thanks to the rebuilt front suspension and steering this truck drives better than new and was a pleasure to tool around our test track with all remaining functions operational.

A fairly solid project car/truck with a ton of the mechanical work already completed and including a copious amount of new parts for the interior. Not without its faults and flaws, but they aren't making them anymore and it's not often one comes up for sale. This truck can be enjoyed as is while you put your plan on paper or be torn into right away and let your dreams come to fruition. Either way the choice is yours!

VIN DECODE
45580B165231
4-1964
55-El Camino 6 Cylinder
80-2 Door Sedan Pickup
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
165231-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
05B-2nd Week May Build
STYLE 64 5680-1964 El Camino
BODY B E7510-Euclid/Baltimore Body #
TR 763-Med Fawn Starette Cloth & Light Fawn Imitation Leather
PAINT 938-Desert Beige