Going to the yard is better than going to C4C. At least this way, all the parts are available for takeoff and reuse. Dying of old age and being an organ donor is way better than having your heart cut out.
First a '69 and now a '65. These neatly bracket my favorite year for Chevelle and El Camino styling - 1967. That year featured a bold grille and wraparound rear lights along with a little more flair to the basic 1964-vintage body.
The 1964 Chevelle was somewhat unappealing because of its incredibly cheap-looking grille fronting a bland and boxy body. The '65 grille was an improvement, but it took the 1966 facelift to bring some much-needed curves to the overall Chevelle styling. However, the '66 also lost a great body style - the two-door wagon. To me, that model is almost up there with the El Cam in coolness. Oh well, you win some and you lose some... #1965
@tonyola: The two-door wagons were cool. Reminds me of the 1955-57 Nomad. Alas, they apparently didn't sell too well; the Standard Catalog of American Cars lists 1964 production at a mere 2,710. There's no production breakout for 1965, but it looks like only a low-end 300 was offered. #1965
@DrLemming: Yeah, looks like they were sold as bottom-end budget workingman's wagons. Chevy should have trimmed it as an SS (or at least a Malibu) and marketed it to the young surfer/sport crowd. #1965
Back in Car & Drivers' golden years it ran an essay about automotive design trends. I recall it referring to the 1964 Chevelle as the pinnacle of the "anycar" look.
Sounds about right to me. The 1964-65s were pretty bland and generic. You wouldn't know they were a Chevy unless finding the logo. #1965
You don't see full-on primer like that much anymore, at least not where I am. Chevy really hit its stride with these Chevelle/Mallibu designs--why not bring them back, Chevy? One square one and one rounded?
On the good news front, I've almost persuaded my family that we need to go to Alameda, CA for vacation. They don't fully understand, but I think they're just tired of hearing about it. Hey, whatever works! #1965
I like the boxier lines on the Chevelle, but on the ElCo, I prefer the '68-'72 models. Of course, I'd gladly still rock one, and this one is pretty sweet. #1965
Also, opening that hood is like looking through a time portal---truly amazing to see an original in its natural state, and not all chromed up and spotless.
Let's change Jesse's name from "What Would Jesse Do" to "Jesse Makes Me Sick with Envy." #1969
What a beauty. One of the best looking Chevelles ever, in any format, but this black/white is really classy.
As for its identiy, if you were going to put this into a syllogism, it would be--
All 1969 El Caminos are Chevelles;
Some Chevelles are SSs, some are Malibus, which are only trim levels in 1969, and mean nothing about engines and such;
Therefore, it's perfectly possible that this is in fact an El Camino which is a Chevelle with the Malibu trim level.
This is only by memory. I shall arise now and Google "Malibu trim level." #1969
@Novaload: @Novaload: According to howstuffworks, for '69 it was the "SS" package that wasn't a trim level, it was just an extra option that could be affixed to either the 300 deluxe or the Malibu Chevelle. It would also seem that all El Caminos for '69 came Malibu spec'd, so my guess is that A. all '69 El Caminos are Malibus and B. if you ordered an SS package, that "Malibu" badge would have been replaced by "SS 396" or what-have-you. A quick image search of '69 El Camino interiors seems to confirm this. I could be way off base, of course, but either way, great, great car, and a rare treat to see one that hasn't been converted into an SS clone.
@Franzouse: I was just going to say the same thing. Yeah, bonus points for even having the original air cleaner. Not too many cars, trucks, or Caminos are this original. That Rochester 2G has held its own on that intake manifold for forty years, it would be a crime to replace it. #1969
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First a '69 and now a '65. These neatly bracket my favorite year for Chevelle and El Camino styling - 1967. That year featured a bold grille and wraparound rear lights along with a little more flair to the basic 1964-vintage body.
The 1964 Chevelle was somewhat unappealing because of its incredibly cheap-looking grille fronting a bland and boxy body. The '65 grille was an improvement, but it took the 1966 facelift to bring some much-needed curves to the overall Chevelle styling. However, the '66 also lost a great body style - the two-door wagon. To me, that model is almost up there with the El Cam in coolness. Oh well, you win some and you lose some... #1965
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Ah, weekends with Murilee. The funny, the inspiring, the awesome, and the tragic. #oldsmobilecutlass
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Sounds about right to me. The 1964-65s were pretty bland and generic. You wouldn't know they were a Chevy unless finding the logo. #1965
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On the good news front, I've almost persuaded my family that we need to go to Alameda, CA for vacation. They don't fully understand, but I think they're just tired of hearing about it. Hey, whatever works! #1965
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Clearly, it's the exceedingly rare Malibino.
Or maybe an Elcamibu. #1969
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El Camimalibumino. #1969
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Let's change Jesse's name from "What Would Jesse Do" to "Jesse Makes Me Sick with Envy." #1969
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As for its identiy, if you were going to put this into a syllogism, it would be--
All 1969 El Caminos are Chevelles;
Some Chevelles are SSs, some are Malibus, which are only trim levels in 1969, and mean nothing about engines and such;
Therefore, it's perfectly possible that this is in fact an El Camino which is a Chevelle with the Malibu trim level.
This is only by memory. I shall arise now and Google "Malibu trim level." #1969
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Added points for -as Murilee pointed out- having kept the original powertrain #1969
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