1969 El Camino Roller Project Ca Car on 2040-cars

I learned long ago that there are only two ways to buy a classic vehicle.  Either find one that is completely done to a very high standard, or one that has a body that is as close to perfect that needs everything.  The ones that come back to bite you are the cars in the middle.   They start out looking pretty darn good, but to make them right, most end up with everything being replaced anyway – so you have the cost of the restoration along with a much higher initial purchase price … not a great combination.

This 1969 El Camino is at the right end of the spectrum if your intention is to start your project off with a nice foundation.  It’s a 45 year old California car that is not perfect (none of them are), but it’s about as nice a roller as you’ll find for the price.  This El Camino is unique in two ways.  The first is that the data plate shows that this one was a factory V-8, 4 speed with bucket seats and console finished in blue ( I forget which blue, marina or lemans, but you can still see it on the floor pan pictures) with a black interior.  This was NOT a big block SS, it rolled of the line in ’69 equipped with a small block.  It also has the optional SS gauge package – I have no idea if the car was optioned that way, or it was added somewhere along the line without seeing a copy of the build sheet, but nonetheless it’s there.  The second unique feature on this one is the condition of the bed.  Most of these saw some pretty heavy work use, and the beds on 98% of them are dented, gouged, and generally beat to death.  This one has the best bed I’ve run across – the floor, inner wheel tubs, and front wall are in amazing shape (look at the pictures carefully).  Additionally, the left rear lower window channel is not rusted out!  I don’t know that I’ve ever seen one that isn’t.

The car is 95% rust free.  The only areas I can find are the lower front fender bottoms (they all rust there from trapped debris), and a couple of pin holes on the driver’s side floor in the wire harness channel.  It’s not even enough to patch in a new 2” piece – a little Por-15 putty and it’s good to go.  The front fenders need lower patch panels, but with the cost of re-pops, I was planning on that route.  All depends on the budget.  The cowl hood is new, the hood hinges, and inner tailgate panel are included but not shown.  A dreaded prior owner cut the shifter opening, so a new re-popped tower needs to be installed.  Somewhere in the past, somebody did some work on the rear wheel opening lips.  Looks ok, but if you have to have perfection, I would go with the re-pop patch panels for $60 each.

The car was and still has its original drum brakes on all 4 corners.  It was equipped with no A/C, but does have a power steering box.  Please review the pictures closely.  What you see is what you get.  It obviously does NOT have an engine or transmission.  The tires are junk but will hold air for transport.  It is easy to roll and steer, so loading and unloading will not be a problem.

The car has a clean California title (NO SALVAGE), and is on non-op status so any California bidders need not worry about any back fees.  I have a few too many projects ahead of this, but I will regret letting this one get way because finding another in this condition is getting near impossible anymore.  The front sheet metal is just hanging for pictures, so the fenders and hood will be packed in the bed for secure shipping.

Please ask all your question PRIOR to placing a bid.  A $500 deposit via Paypal is required at the time of auction close, with the balance due in 5 days.   The reserve is set very low, so please don’t ask what it is because it’s just not fair to other bidders.  I don’t sell outside of ebay, and since there is no best offer option, any emails along those lines are just ignored.  If it’s something you want, just bid what you feel it’s worth.  I do have a local offer on this, so if doesn’t sell on this first go-around it won’t be relisted.

Please ask your wife, kids, neighbors, spiritual advisor, or parole officer prior to placing a bid.  The vehicle is sold as a project that is being purchased AS IS, WHERE IS, and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.  The deposit placed at the conclusion of the auction is NON-REFUNDABLE for any reason and once the auction closes, the high bidder IS the new owner.  The vehicle must be picked up within 2 weeks of auction close.

Happy bidding and thanks for taking a look!