okay okay... never in my life did I think this would happen, but...

[RD]

I found myself accepting a 66 chevy el camino from a friend.  it was in a family settlement and the guy had to get rid of it quick.  it has sat for 20 years in a field.  has moss all over it (easily scrubbed off), here are the details:

• framerails not rusted and are straight
• has a 327
• has a 4 spd
• has a 12 bolt/posi
• factory dual exhaust
• sport hood with fake vents
• drivers/passenger side floorboards will need replaced, but are really not that bad
• engine turns
• has all the trim
• malibu package

What do you think something like this is worth?  I have no idear.... at all... Never knew chevy's, never cared to, but if I didnt grab it, it was going to the crusher, and well... I could not let something like that happen even if it is a chevy.  too much history thrown away in that regard, especially with something so complete.

Any idears?

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1987128

[Kevin68N71]

What's wrong with it?  I got an AMX and a Corvair Rampside in the collection, so I am not the guy to talk to if you want someone to tell you you made a mistake!

Misc. thoughts.

The 327 is a very nice engine that you can leave as is or do just about anything you want to it. Headers, bigger intake, hotter heads, cam etc.

This looks like it has some SS type equipment on it...you got an interesting hood, rear end, etc.  4 speed is a real plus.

What would I do?  Replace the floorboards right away.  Clean it up to the quick.  If the carpet is ruined, put some cheap carpet in for the time being. Sand and primer to stop the surface rust and even it out.  Then drive the heck out of it.

El Camino's are fun!  Haul parts, home stuff, etc.  I have almost always had a pickup around.  So you got a hauler and a fun car.  Hard to beat that.

What are they worth?  Personally, I would take 50% off the average price that you see them in Hemmings going for, and you are about there!

Obviously, documented SS versions are worth the most.  If you can substantiate that all that equipment is original, more the better.

[RD]

What's wrong with it?  I got an AMX and a Corvair Rampside in the collection, so I am not the guy to talk to if you want someone to tell you you made a mistake!

Misc. thoughts.

The 327 is a very nice engine that you can leave as is or do just about anything you want to it. Headers, bigger intake, hotter heads, cam etc.

This looks like it has some SS type equipment on it...you got an interesting hood, rear end, etc.  4 speed is a real plus.

What would I do?  Replace the floorboards right away.  Clean it up to the quick.  If the carpet is ruined, put some cheap carpet in for the time being. Sand and primer to stop the surface rust and even it out.  Then drive the heck out of it.

El Camino's are fun!  Haul parts, home stuff, etc.  I have almost always had a pickup around.  So you got a hauler and a fun car.  Hard to beat that.

What are they worth?  Personally, I would take 50% off the average price that you see them in Hemmings going for, and you are about there!

Obviously, documented SS versions are worth the most.  If you can substantiate that all that equipment is original, more the better.

kevin, thats just it!  nothing is wrong with it in my eyes.. i actually like the thing (ALOT!!!).  The parts hauler idea is exactly what I was thinking.  Thanks for your input, especially since its coincides with mine LOL 

[TruckDriver]

In that shape, maybe $2,000 to the right person. Restored about $5-$8,000.

[charger_mike75]

I'd make a cool hauler out of it too. 

[68charger383]

In that shape, maybe $2,000 to the right person. Restored about $5-$8,000.

[Charger_Fan]

You could always post a WIW on an Elky site, for better price feedback.
Myself, I would say Pete's guess probably isn't far off...unless it's a real SS, then it would be worth more, I would imagine.

Regardless, cool score.

[Bullit_68]

I would keep it fix it up as a nice driver and parts hauler.That 327 is a pretty good reliable engine.

[TheGhost]

I read the title, and thought to myself "He went and bought a Chevy."


I agree with everyone else here.  Keep it.  Not enough of these old cars on the road anymore.

[1969chargerrtse]

Nice.  I love El camino's.  Popular year also.  I'd keep it if I still had energy to fix something up. 

[RD]

Nice score  IMO 2k is about right in that condition, but restored would be closer to 15k. somethings not right though..327 with a 12 bolt  I'm gonna check into that. sounds more like a big block car.

really?  i have no clue when it comes to chevy's, period.  how would i check to see if its a original big block car?  hell, i cannot even find a VIN tag, just the cowl fender tag is all I can find.  let me know what you find out.

Jamey

[hutch]

Rocket sled

I love them old El Cominos.  They make great toys.  Keep it.

[Chad L. Magee]

Nice score  IMO 2k is about right in that condition, but restored would be closer to 15k. somethings not right though..327 with a 12 bolt  I'm gonna check into that. sounds more like a big block car.

really?  i have no clue when it comes to chevy's, period.  how would i check to see if its a original big block car?  hell, i cannot even find a VIN tag, just the cowl fender tag is all I can find.  let me know what you find out.

Jamey

Chevys did not have the same type of documentation that Mopars had.  Corvettes were an exception as some of them had buildsheets placed on the top of the gas tanks (although not that many survived that way).  The firewall tag will only tell you the most basic information, but not the engine size.  There are tell tale signs for a big block car on Chevys, but unfortunately, I don't know what they are on ECs (I only know BB Vette stuff).  You might want to invest in a EC specific book as it might give you alot more information to finding out what you really have.  On the plus side, it looks like you have a cool parts hauler......

[68RT4ME]

Nice grab there. It's a car worth saving. You might want to post it on a chevy forum to get a better idea of it's worth and maybe find a buyer there too.

[resq302]

if you are looking for a el camino site, try www.chevelles.com.  Excellent site just as this one is dedicated to chevelles and el caminos.  Probably the number 1 el camino/chevelle site out there also.

by the way, nice grab!  I think that hood is cool also.

[firefighter3931]

Put a 6-pack scoop on that chebby ! 

Ebay the drivetrain and swap in a 360/727/8.75 


Ron

[hotrod98]

I bought a pretty solid 72 El Camino for cheap a few months ago and I've been thinking about making it my shop truck. I've already bought an SS hood and a few interior parts. Should make a nice hauler. Couldn't find a decent mopar wagon so I went this route instead.
I think big-block El Caminos will be worth good money eventually and they're still relatively cheap to buy.
I say keep it. It's money in the bank.

[1969chargerrtse]

Nice score  IMO 2k is about right in that condition, but restored would be closer to 15k. somethings not right though..327 with a 12 bolt  I'm gonna check into that. sounds more like a big block car.

I know the small block Camaros had 12 bolt in the SS cars.

[PocketThunder]

I e-mailed my old roommate who did a frame off on a 66 SS396 chevelle and here is what he said:

It sounds like it could be legit.  In '66, the 327 was not available unless it was custom ordered that way.  The 327 in 65 and again in 67 had 360 hp just like my 396 did, but it was peppy and quick off the line.  A 327 car could usually beat a 396 car.  They discontinued the 327 option for '66 as a standard offer because they were trying to build hype around their new big block, the 396.  So based on that, if the 327 came in the car from the factory, it's probably a rare set up.  It's probably worth more than the one chump said at $5-8 G's restored.  The hood, the 12 bolt rear, and the 4 speed are all indicators of a SS set up.  My guess, is that if it's original, the guy ordered the options he wanted, and put it in a Malibu package.  My dad did that in '72 because insurance on an SS badged car was much more than a Malibu.  Or some gear head back in 1975 scrounged some parts and slapped them into the car you see now.  The parts mentioned are all easy swaps.  The things to look for are the dash set up, the counsel, and the tag numbers.  The SS hood is sort of odd, since a Malibu would not have come with that at all I don't think.  That definitely looks swapped. 



This is based on what I know about my car; I'm not sure if the Elc's history is slightly different than that.



Beyond that, it's tough to call.



Later.



J

[Charger_Fan]

Pete, ya chump.                                  

Ok, I am too.

[andy74]

factory big block cars had a larger fuel line,and heavy front and rear springs,another easily swapped part,my uncle is a huge chevelle guy,i just called him and asked him what to look for and he said he will call me back shortly,ill pm you wit any info he gets me

[RD]

man, you guys are awesome.. thanks so much for your help in deciphering this... who says I need to go to a chevy forum when I got you guys? hehehehe

thanks PT for your contact to your friend, and thanks andy for calling your uncle... i will be awaiting your reply.

Jamey

[RD]

Put a 6-pack scoop on that chebby ! 

Ebay the drivetrain and swap in a 360/727/8.75 


Ron

i was going to do that before I found out the drivetrain combination...  if it was a 283/glide... i was going to put a 400/727/8.75 in there.. but now, i think i will keep it the way it is.

[RD]

The things to look for are the dash set up, the counsel, and the tag numbers.  The SS hood is sort of odd, since a Malibu would not have come with that at all I don't think.  That definitely looks swapped. 

so what am i looking for on the console, the dash set up?  I (slap this dummy) didnt even look at the vin, but rather just ran the cowl tag numbers (which didnt give me much of anything).  I will look for the VIN tonight when i get home.

Jamey

[TruckDriver]

Pete, ya chump.                                  

Ok, I am too.

Hey now, that was just a educated guess I gave for a not so rare truck. I grew up in Chevys, but that doesn't make me a expert on them, so