El Camino or Ranchero?

E

ex119x

Been Around the Block
I am looking to get a vehicle that I can use for occasional trips to the store, weekly trip to the dump, maybe a run to the lumber yard and pull a bike trailer. I also want it to fit nicely in my garage and don't want another truck. I need it to have a v-8 with A/C. I think something in the mid to late 80's would work. So, which would be better, an El Camino or a Ranchero? I am not looking for a restored one, but don't want a big project either, so it needs to be rust free with a solid drive train. I am thinking I'll end up in the $5 - 7K range. I am thinking I'll find what I need in the south or the PNW. I am looking in the Portland, OR area where my brother lives so I could fly out and drive it back. I could also look in the Atlanta area where my brother in law lives and do the same.
What do you guys and gals think?
 
I think for what you have described you will be in the $12 - 15 K range. And, fuel "economy" will be in the <10 mpg range.
 
I agree that 12 -15K will get a nice El Camino, but I can find several in the Salem, OR area for 5-7K. They may need a little interior work, but I really want good seats and may have to add them later.
 
$5-$7k will get you a good running sbc El Camino. Not a bad way to go. At Barber, a guy 3 spots up from us came in loaded in a 75 El Camino. The beauty of an sbc, you can choose your budget when the motor lets go. My C10 has lived it's life swapping used sbc's. It's cost me $2k over 10 years. Been in the family since it rolled off the lot in 79. Keeps on keepin on.
 
That's what I have been thinking, about the sbc. I suppose the 351 ford engine falls into about the same category.
If anybody knows of a good El Camino in this price range let me know. I can fly one way about anywhere and drive it back.
 
Rider52 said:
There is a 78 El Camino listed in Marietta for $13,900 https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1978/chevrolet/el_camino/101670503
Click to expand...
That's a dealer price. Way too much. 250 mile radius around Augusta will get you literally thirty for $8k or less. There are two in the same shape as that dealer car for $8k, one of which has a 355. This is an average listing: HERE. $4500, needs work, but runs. Has rust, but repairable. Depends on what you are looking for, but the market has plenty of good deals to stay away from dealer or collector prices like that.
 
Yeah, there are tons of them out there for 15 - 30K, but I don't see where they are worth anywhere near that. Especially to me. That just isn't what I want or need. I just want a driver that looks pretty good for a 40 year old car. I think I am going to stay away from any rust that needs repairing, if I can. I don't do that kind of work and don't really want to pay somebody what it takes to do it right.
 
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