Several automakers have tried conquering the low-slung pickup class over the decades, yet perhaps the best-known model is the Chevrolet El Camino.
A true motoring icon, it first came out at the end of the 1950s, mixing a traditional coupe with an open bed behind the cockpit. Chevrolet kept it in production until 1987, when the last copy of the fifth generation rolled off the line, leaving a void in the brand's lineup that still hasn't been filled.
The El Camino was Chevy's answer to the Ford Ranchero, which survived for no fewer than seven generations between 1957 and 1979. Dodge also gave it a shot at this niche with the Rampage, yet they only made nearly 35,000 examples from 1982 to 1984. They also toyed with this moniker in the mid-2000s, as the Rampage Concept was presented to the world at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. Nevertheless, it hasn't materialized, as you already know.
Countless copies of the El Camino, Ranchero, and Rampage can be found for grabs on the second-hand market at any moment. Their values depend on their overall condition, whether they have been restored, what lies under the hood, and how many miles they have under their belts. So, where does this 1972 Chevrolet El Camino stand? On the decent side of things, as far as the pricing is concerned, anyway.
Photo: Garage Kept Motors
More on the Benjamins in a few moments. First, we have to tell you that it rides on silver wheels, has a blue exterior, and has a black cabin. It also packs the factory air conditioning, and it is an important piece of automotive history that deserves a nice home. Its future owner won't have to do anything to it, as it is in perfect running condition. Mind you, as is often the case with old-timers, certain parts may need some TLC, yet nothing urgent, by the looks of it.
This generation came with a few V8 engines straight from the factory and several straight-six power units. The pictured copy retains the original 350 ci (5.7L) V8, which is hooked up to an automatic transmission. At the time of cataloging, the odometer pointed to a mere 20,285 miles (32,645 km), and the car appears to have been fully restored, even if the vendor does not mention it in the ad.
The only thing we haven't told you yet is how much it will set you back, and the answer is $22,900. Thus, it is not the most affordable El Camino out there, but it is not the most expensive either. A quick look at the bowtie brand's modern vehicle lineup reveals that around $23k would get you a new Trax, and that's about it. So, is this your next fun car?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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