SS 454! 1973 Chevrolet El Camino
For most of its life, the Chevy El Camino ran parallel to the mid-size Chevelle. It was a “Gentlemen’s Pickup” that was part car/part truck. 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. Located in Mariposa, California, this truck looks to be in good, used condition, and ready for some more adventures. It’s available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $6,700, but the reserve is still waiting.
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. Although based on corresponding GM car lines, the El Camino was classified as a pickup by the DMV. The fourth-generation took on the styling characteristics of the Colonnade look that GM used between 1973-77. For ‘73, GM built 71,753 El Caminos and rebadged GMC Sprints. Unfortunately, there is no breakdown as to how many were built as SS models since that was an option, not a series.
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. As the VIN will verify, this pickup has the 454 Y-code engine, paired with an automatic transmission. 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. We’re told it runs well but does use a little oil. 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.
Although original in appearance, the paint has been redone and needs it again. The color was changed from light metallic copper to the white you see today. Other than surface rust, the seller doesn’t believe that corrosion is a factor. The pickup comes with a camper topper which is said to be in great shape except for one flaw on the driver’s side. We’re told that all the SS trim it came new is still present. The interior looks okay for its age and has swivel bucket seats for easy entry and exit. Additional gauges were added, but they’re not all hooked up.
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. On the other hand, the color change would deduct a few points. This looks to be a truck that you could drive as-is for a while before pouring money into restoration.
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Comments
Big Block ,swivel seat ,and clean Cali body ; you have my attention .
“The seller bought this ’73 El Camino a few months back to restore” – read The seller bought this ’73 El Camino a few months back to flip
You are right. Nothing wrong with flipping as long as the seller doesn’t lie about the car in the description.
Chevrolet’s from this era are among the easiest to verify “matching numbers” when it comes to the engine, a flashlight, rag and 1 minute is all the time it takes to check. It’s to the point sellers come off as somewhat disingenuous, at best, when they claim they don’t know or haven’t checked, especially since answering that question has a significant impact on the cars value.
Steve R
Exactly on point. Flipper or not, they just bought the car so they should know from that sale if the engine block is original or not. Either way, like you said, it takes about 10 minutes to find out.
Lose the chicken coop.
Why does it have a chicken house on the back ?
It looks like the bumpers are painted? Is that part of the SS package? It looks a little off.
I think you’re right, they do look painted. It probably happened in the last repaint, but they should be chrome on both the front and back. Only the filler panels for those huge 5 MPH bumpers should have been body color.
Odd thing on these, some 73s had the filler panel painted silver like the 68-72 Novas, others are painted. My gold 73 Malibu had a silver panel as did a brown 73 parts car , but I have seen others painted to match the body.
I will give you 10K for it without the camper shell, 7K if you leave it on. Good bones on this one. Looks like a great place to start.
Why is it using oil after a rebuild?
Odd thing on these, some 73s had the filler panel painted silver like the 68-72 Novas, others are painted. My gold 73 Malibu had a silver panel as did a brown 73 parts car , but I have seen others painted to match the body.
The SS emblems are way too high on the fenders ; they should be below the belt line . The painted bumpers look awful too – maybe someone was trying to make it look like a Laguna
How to make a cool elco look ugly!!!
Put that cap on the bed!!!
What a hideous cap!! Must have been purchased by the same person with bad taste that bought that steering wheel cover.