1983 Chevrolet El Camino
"I can't get over it. I've had many cool cars, many expensive cars.But when I drive my El Camino I feel special. I wash my car in mydriveway, and lots of times guys driving by slow down and ask me"what year is it?" or "do I want to sell her". I get gas for myelky, and like tonight a guy walks by and says "nice Camino". WhileI'm driving her I know she is different and stands out. She's notlike any other car I've owned. I can say without any doubt that Ilove this car. I'll never sell her." This is a postfromelcaminocentral.comand it's an unbelievably common sentimentheard from El Camino owners.
For consignment, a 1983 Chevrolet El Camino with a recently rebuilt454ci big block and our consignor tells us she puts out almost 700horsepower. Only about 24,000 El Camino's were built in 1983 whichis not exactly rare, but surviving nice examples might be. In manycases, they were used as a pickup truck and eventually wore out orsuffered from rust. Here's a nice, built example that can reallyhaul!
Exterior
This two tone design was common for this, the last generation ElCamino. The Maroon and Silver combination not only gives the car anauthentic look, but shrouds what might be lurking under the hood.And speaking of the hood, one immediately notices a Trans Am typeshaker in the middle of it. So much for secrets, this hints thatsomething is going on underneath. The Malibu front end conveys afairly basic design, dual headlights, an egg crate grille over awrap around chrome bumper. Taillights are embedded in the backbumper leaving the tailgate and rear fenders free of interruptionexcept for the license plate cove. Silver from the roof spills outalong the top side of the bed while the two coats of Rhino coatingin the bed have been color matched, a nice attention to detail werarely see. Deep dish 15-inch American Racing wheels with argentgray spokes and a brushed aluminum rim give this car a bit morepresence than the stock wheels would and slightly wider tires inback provide a nice profile. Overall the paint is in good conditionand our list of imperfections include some texture on the cut outaround the shaker, some peeling of the Rhino on the tailgate and acrack in the bed, some bubbling on the silver near the rockerpanel, and an area of orange peel like patterning.
Interior
Velour was all the rage in this era, and we find it first on thedoor panels, a little bit loose in some areas and combined withvarious shades of red on the plastic mid-panel where the armrestresides. Red velour bucket seats in a tuck and roll pattern appearin good condition and wear headrests up above, while a speaker boxtucks behind the seats. A wood rimmed Grant steering wheel greetsthe driver and bowtie emblazoned gauges fill a red backed panel onthe dash. A padded red frame surrounds the later model DelcoAM/FM/CD radio and the glovebox, while a tall B&M shifterpostures in the center console. A homemade armrest fits between theseats and race inspired foot pedals occupy the driver's footwell.Low pile crimson carpet covers the floor and a soft, red headlinerfloats above.
Drivetrain
Here's where the rubber hits the road, as they say, when we gazeupon the very clean 454ci big block with Edelbrock heads, anEdelbrock intake, and a Holley 750cfm double pumper 4-barrelcarburetor perched on top. A 700R4 4-speed automatic is connectedto the engine and this one has heavy duty clutches installed,sending power back to the 10 bolt rear. Also under the hood areHooker headers, MSD ignition and a high compression starter. Ourconsignor states that a May 2024 tune up included plugs and wires.This is an impressive engine bay and a powerful engine that'sbrought to a stop via power disc brakes on all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Super clean underneath with virtually no surface rust or errantliquids to speak of. Dual exhaust comes off the headers, connectswith an H pipe, then meets a pair of Flowmaster mufflers beforeexiting stealthily under the car before the back bumper. We notethe absence of catalytic converters. Suspension includes coilsprings up front and a 4 four link with coils in the rear.
Drive-Ability
Holy Toledo! This fired up with a raucous roar and its sleeperstatus went right out the door. And so did we, onto the test loopwith the tall El Camino with enormous power underfoot. It wants toget up and go but we just need a soft check of operational itemsand so our loop is kept cool. Everything works except one oddity;the turn signals only work when the headlights are turned off.
The concept of couple utility was born in Australia, believe it ornot, and their idea was "a vehicle to go to church on Sunday, andcarry pigs to market on Monday". This dual duty El Camino has athird function and that's providing pure fun. With a stated 700horsepower, the only thing that might be missing from this ride aresome sandbags in the bed and wheelie bars out back!
1GCCW8GH2DR229314
1-USA
G-General Motors
C-Chevrolet Truck
C-4001 Thru 5000 GVWR
W-El Camino
80-2 Door Sedan Pickup
H-305ci V8
2-Check Digit
D-1983
R-Arlington, TX Assy Plant
229314-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic andcollectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climatecontrolled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classicand collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of theI-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visitwww.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact usanytime for more information or to come see the vehicle inperson.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, andwe do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with hostStewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trendsin consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities andautomotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tunein each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoylistening. You can also watch on YouTube!
