454/4-Speed: 1974 Chevrolet El Camino SS
Vehicles like this 1974 Chevrolet El Camino successfully manage to combine the versatility of a small pickup with the comfort and features of a sedan. They can also be unerringly boring…unless they are equipped as this one is. Selecting the SS option at your local Chevrolet dealership in 1974 brought with it the 350ci V8 engine. For those who were feeling a touch more adventurous, they could tick the box beside the 454 option, and land themselves a vehicle with some pretty reasonable levels of performance. That is what the original owner chose to do with this El Camino, but now it is a classic in need of a new home. Located in Corona Hills, California, you will find the potent pickup listed for sale here on Craigslist. The sale price for the El Camino has been set at $16,250.
Subtle? Not really. This Chevy is a vehicle that possesses no common characteristics with a chameleon. It is loud and brash and leaves no-one in any doubt about what it is. From the Medium Red paint to the side-stripes, and from the SS decals to the Rally wheels, this is one classic that appears to be loud and proud…and capable of attracting plenty of attention. From a condition perspective, this looks like a very promising vehicle. There are no signs of any rust anywhere on the vehicle, and if it has spent the majority of its life in California, this has undoubtedly helped its cause. The bed looks like it wears a fairly recently applied coat of paint, but underneath that paint, it appears to be free of any significant dings or dents. The trim and chrome all look good, while the tinted glass appears to be free of any obvious defects.
Ticking the right box brought with it the 454ci V8, producing 235hp. In this case, the El Camino is also equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. This combination provided the vehicle with pretty reasonable performance, but thanks to the lack of weight over the rear wheels, it could be quite lively on wet roads or loose surfaces. The engine and transmission in this El Camino are both original, but the owner has given the 454 a bit of a tickle to extract some additional performance. A more aggressive camshaft and treating the cylinder heads to some porting work has unleashed some welcome ponies. Forget 235hp, because now this beast has 400hp at its disposal. If the rear end was lively before, it should be pretty exciting now. The owner describes it as a blast to drive, and I can’t see any reason to argue with him on that score.
Generally speaking, the Black interior trim of the Chevy presents quite well. There is a cover over the dash, so it isn’t clear whether there are any cracks present. The door trims look good, while the seat is only showing some minor edge wear. Quite surprisingly, there is no air conditioning. However, there is an aftermarket radio/cassette player to provide some entertainment on the move.
The ’74 El Camino SS fitted with the standard 454 is a vehicle that offers pretty reasonable levels of performance, especially when compared with anything else that was being offered on the market in that model year. The engine upgrades that this one has received should really make it get up and moving. This is a classic that is ready to be driven and enjoyed, and that makes it a vehicle that is well worth considering if a classic light pickup is on your radar.
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Comments
That’s nice!
Even though I never really warmed to this generation Elky, this is one sharp ride! GLWTA! :-)
Couldn’t agree more
First ‘truck’ was a red 76 SS Elky with white stripes & 350. It was a great work & basic transpo mobile for many years. I’d jump all over this if it was half the price.
I had to look and see on the four speed and yes it was offered..
damn this is clicking the right boxes for me too..👍😎
This is a really nice ride, doubt you could duplicate this from a base model for the asking price. Is it just me or are the vinyl side stripes jarring by the fact they end at the SS call out on the fenders? I would have thought they’d go to the ends of the front fenders.
In my eyes, this is the best version of the worst El Camino
The top area of the front end actually looks similar to the ’70 monte carlo!
Maybe fit a monte front bumper on this? lol
At least there are no opera windows.
Could you get the swivel seats?
CC; I hear people calling these Elkys horrible all the time. I’ve never owned one but I don’t really get it – in my world this gen Elkys/ Malibus represent one of the very few good-looking Malaise-era vehicles and the oldest ones can even be tricked out without hassle with smogging. What am I missing?
First Colonnade I’ve ever seen with the combo of floor shift and bench seat. Interesting.
Last Saturday I traded a 73 ss elcamino missing the power train for a 84 ss Monte Carlo
And no vinyl top! This is one sweet ride.
I bough a 75 with a 454 new. They didn’t have the 4 speed available that year. It was somewhat of a disappointing performer but it still had very capable towing ability. It could pull a car trailer easily. I still have it. Later, about 1991, I bought a 1985 SS as a daily driver. I still have it, too. I thought it would be more fuel efficient than the big block. Not so. But, at least the 75 can pull the loaded trailer. The 85 can’t. I wouldn’t get rid of either because they both still serve a purpose, but the 75 can still work as a truck when needed. The 85 is more of a sport coupe.
They should have all had those boxes checked. I hope it goes to a good home.
The interior looks good, especially that four speed shifter. Not a bad looking car in general but that worked over 454 looks like fun. I’d be more surprised if it in fact did have AC, not in a pavement pounder like this…just roll the windows down.
The last ‘good’ year of any of these as still CAT free. Plus an owner that cared to make the RAT breath once again. I’d take it. Something about a 454 4sp in anything…
Im surprised no one mentioned they didn’t make an ss in 1974.
Actually they did make an SS in 74, RPO Z15. The 454 at this point was a lowly 8.25:1, bummer. Rated at 235 hp and 360 ft lbs, with the 4 speed could still be fun! Not sure the hatred for these elks, personally think the next gen are the ugly ones based off g body Malibu’s. One of the cars my uncle had (RIP) was a blue and white 77 elk, looks pretty sharp with 8″ Rallye wheels on it. Car lives on with another family member thankfully. Keep up the good finds.
I owned one if these in the 80s. It was a nice ride. I ran 100 regularly on interstates with more to go.