1971 Chevrolet El Camino IIntroduced in 1958 in response to Ford's Ranchero, American car-truck hybrids were originally inspired by Australia's "utes," or "coupe utility" vehicles. Rumor has it, in 1932, an Australian farmer's wife wrote to the Ford factory, requesting a vehicle that could get her to church in style on Sunday, and shuttle her husband's livestock to market on Monday. Whether or not the story is true, the 1959 El Camino, a sedan-pickup truck, built on an Impala body, was Chevy's interpretation of an Australian ute, made to look good, while doing some heavy lifting. In fact, Chevy 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 we can go back in time and pretend we are in the showroom of the local Chevrolet dealer, and in front of us is the 1971 El Camino looking just like it did on the floor in 1971. This example is a nice clean original car and looking the part in spades. Look over on the highway, it's a car, no its a truck, no it's both!! And sporting a mere 5,959 original miles showing on the odometer. Exterior Cranberry Red in very good visual form covers this car/truck combo's steel panels. Gaps are consistent, and no rust is seen. One the bottom covering the rockers is a silver painted thin pane delineated by a stainless trimming running the length of the vehicle. Bumpers, front and rear, are looking good and all badging is present and accounted for. The metal bed shows a near perfect coat of cranberry red looking all rust free. The tailgate functions fine, and sporty chromed drivers side mirror is on attached to the door. Just above covering the roof is a well preserved and unscathed body matching painted top with inset stainless window surrounds. On all 4 corners are GM rally style wheels wrapped by 215/70R15's. Interior Black vinyl which shows a very rich texture of graining, covers the door panels. These have some slight waves to the covering but are all clean and nicely preserved. A black vinyl covers the bench in this two seater, and the backs are split for access to a small storage area behind the bench. Bolsters are smooth black vinyl and all are looking showroom. Like new black carpeting covers the floors, and the very clean and correct dash fronts the bench. All is looking very factory inside. A nice black tight, headliner floats above. Drivetrain This numbers matching 350ci V8 fits nicely under the hood and is looking good as well. A 2-barrel carburetor is on top, and behind this healthy mill is a TH350 3speed automatic transmission also numbers matching. Power gets kicked rearwards to a 10-bolt rear with 2.56 gear ratio. With correct GM orange/red block and valve covers, nice supple hoses and wiring, and overall, very clean and restored engine bay, we have a great example gracing our hallowed halls here in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. Undercarriage Underneath we meet a peppering of surface rust on all sections of the undercarriage. Not to fret though, as all is structurally sound. Independent coil springs for the front, and a 4-link with coil springs for the rear along with front and rear power drum brakes. A Flowmaster in dual exhaust form allows for an easy exhale from the mill. Drive-Ability A quick starter, and good driver. No apparent problems, and a head turner for sure in the Cranberry Red. Looking as stated in the beginning just like it drove off the showroom floor in 1971. A very nice job has been done overall as to the restoration of this car/truck. With original power, nice paint, and fab interior, this truck/car can haul hay or haul ass, or both, although the hay may all go away prior to arriving at your intended destination. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. All thanks to a churchgoing farming woman from down under! VIN DECODE 136801B104095 1-Chevrolet 36-Malibu V8 80-El Camino 2 Door Sedan Pickup 1-1971 B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant 104095-Sequential Unit Number TRIM TAG ST 71 13680-1971 El Camino 2 Door Sedan Pickup BDY B022447-Baltimore Body # TR 705-Black Elk Coated Fabric Bench Seat PNT 75-Cranberry Red 08B-2nd Week August Build Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.
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