1972 Chevrolet El Camino Restomod

We sell a lot of El Caminos here at Streetside Classics, but not many come through our doors that are as beautifully finished and highly functional as this 1972 Chevrolet El Camino Restomod. A former show winner with a killer two-tone custom paint job, this dialed-in Elky features impressive LS3 V8 power, modern amenities, and a comfortable A/C interior that all work together to form one of the coolest car-trucks we've ever had the pleasure of showcasing in our inventory.
The early 1970s were the final years of 'The Golden Era of American Motoring', and that instantly recognizable muscle car style still makes a fantastic foundation for something awesome today, as this 1972 El Camino proves. Repainted during a comprehensive frame-off restoration that was finished 3 years ago, it's no longer 1970s utilitarian but rather modern and sleek. The two-tone House of Kolors Emerald Green Metallic over silver paint really updates the shape and makes it look long and sleek, and despite two notable areas that have been touched up (see pictured areas), we can guarantee that this car, er, truck will attract attention no matter where you drive it. The bodywork underneath was clearly in good shape, because the flanks are smooth and shiny and everything fits together better than you'd expect for 1972, with a few custom touches like a cowl hood, shaved door handles, and tucked-and-smoothed rear end that all put this Chevy over the top. The bumpers were color-matched to the lower bodywork, a super-cool custom stripe splits the two colors, and all the chrome and badging was removed to continue the smooth look. The bed is also neatly finished with a spray-in bedliner that's incredibly durable (this Elky can be used as a truck after all), and the taillights were borrowed from a late model Camaro and seamlessly incorporated into the design as an added custom touch. Man, what a cool ride!
It's especially cool to see buckets and a console in an El Camino, and the interior of this restomod really does a great job continuing the custom theme. Finished in black leather and strapped in with 5-point harness safety belts, the high-back bucket seats look right at home in the cabin, featuring simple yet elegant patterns that match the door panels, dash, and custom middle console perfectly. Those original-style door panels were likely installed at the time of the build, as was the dash and plush carpets, because everything inside has a very fresh, modern feel to it with very little signs of use. Inside the original-style dash are neatly integrated digital gauges set into a factory panel, and the effect is that it looks almost stock but delivers a high-tech view of the engine's vitals. There's also a handsome billet steering wheel with a leather-wrapped rim, a B&M shifter inside the custom console that manages the 4-speed automatic transmission, along with a tilt wheel, AM/FM/AUX/Bluetooth head unit, and a full Vintage A/C system with cold R134a refrigerant to round out the options inside the cab.
Mechanically, this Elky has been extensively upgraded. The wheezing smog motor is gone, replaced by a strong-running GM Performance LS3 V8 crate motor topped by a responsive fuel-injection unit, a GM Performance ECU control unit with drive-by-wire, and a significant dose of horsepower (approximated at 520HP at the crank) thanks to a Texas Speed & Performance Stage 1 cam and valve train upgrade. Lots of detail work really dresses it up under the hood, and with less than 6,000 miles on the build, it's still incredibly fresh. Underneath, there's also a rebuilt 4L80E 4-speed automatic transmission borrowed from a 2012 Silverado (completely rebuilt using B&M performance parts and features a Painless Performance TCU control unit) spinning the factory 12-bolt rear end with 3.73 posi-traction gears, so it's comfortable on the highway but still flies off the line. The suspension is fitted with drop spindles, Eibach front and rear springs, adjustable (top and bottom) control arms up front, and Bilstein shocks all around. A rumbling Flowmaster dual exhaust system sounds just right for a vehicle that looks like this, and power steering and Wilwood power 4-wheel disc brakes ensure that every drive is made in comfort. Cool staggered aftermarket wheels finish the performance look and carry 245/40/18 front and 295/40/20 rear Nitto performance radials with a lot of life left in them.
Great looking and fun to drive, this is an impeccably built machine that's always going to stand out. Don't worry, we won't tell anyone just how affordable it really is. Call now!