If there’s one thing that everybody remembers about the 1966 El Camino, it is that it came with the biggest big-block unit available on this generation.
Chevrolet launched the 396 V8 engine, with the top configuration developing 375 horsepower. It was a dream come true for people who wanted more power under the hood of the truck, especially because the El Camino was already becoming very popular in the tuning community.
The 396 proved a smart upgrade, as the 1966 model year recorded the biggest sales in the entire generation. Sales increased from 32,500 units in 1964 to 35,119 units in 1966. The yearly performance dropped to 34,000 units in the last iteration of this generation.
The El Camino that made its way to eBay earlier this week doesn’t have the hefty 396 under the hood, but it has already received a new engine to pave its way to a complete restoration. eBay seller reef4146 doesn’t provide many specifics, but they claim the 327 starts and runs and is paired with a Turbo 350 transmission.
It’s unclear what engine was originally in this El Camino, but the 327 is a good choice for people interested in a balanced experience behind the wheel. It’s not the most powerful unit, but it is still very potent while paying attention to fuel economy.
The truck is a project that has been waiting for a complete restoration for many years, though it still looks better than many of the candidates I’ve seen lately. The metal is solid, and it doesn’t look like you’ll have to deal with an insane amount of rust. The bed probably doesn’t exhibit too much damage, and the body looks clean and straight. The brown finish is original but shows its age, so you’ll have to spend more time making it shine bright like a diamond.
The vehicle is drivable, but the brakes require some attention, so all signs suggest this El Camino is an easy project. It doesn’t need an overwhelming amount of work, so it could be the right choice for an easy winter project that could return to the road in the spring.
The owner believes $7,900 is a fair price, but netizens think otherwise, as the listing has already entered its final hours without anyone sending an offer. The truck has already caught the attention of several eBay buyers, as 30 people are currently watching the listing, but the price is probably too ambitious for most of them.
The owner has also enabled the Make Offer button, leaving the door open to further negotiations. And if you want to see the El Camino in person, you can find it in Gardena, California. You’ll need a trailer to take it home.