1980 Chevrolet El Camino Conquista

1980 Chevrolet El Camino Description

Up for sale is a “little old lady” owned 1980 Chevy El Camino with 71k original miles. Truck was bought new by her in Marshall, MI. She kept and maintained it for 35 years until March 2015 when it was sold to the 2nd owner. The 2nd owner would see her driving it around and pursued her for 5+ years to try to buy it from her. She finally relented and agreed to sell it. The 2nd owner drove it only 1000 miles over the next 4 years and I purchased it in June 2019.

The truck is a 305/TH350 combination with freeway gearing so it will cruise at 70mph no problem. The first owner kept typed and handwritten maintenance history until the day she sold it as shown in the pictures. The 2nd owner only changed the oil once and replaced the battery as he hardly drove it. When I got the truck it was in decent condition, but it needed a lot of love and sweat to get it back to reliable driving condition.

All four shocks were replaced with KYB Gas-Adjusts and Bell Tech lowering springs are now in place of the factory springs. The complete steering linkage (inner+outer tie rods, adjuster, idler arm and center link) are all new and I adjusted the steering box to tighten it up. Front sway bar end links were replaced with new urethane ones. Both power steering lines were leaking so those were replaced and the front a-arm bump stops are new. The leaking rear pinion seal was fixed and I flushed and filled the rear axle with new gear oil. Next I replaced all three flexible rubber brake hoses, the master cylinder and cleaned+painted the rear drums and front calipers and installed new caliper pins. The muffler was blown out so a quiet Dynomax turbo muffler was installed and the catalytic converter replaced with a new Magnaflow unit. The broken transmission mount was swapped out and I scrubbed, scraped and brushed 40+ years or crud off the transmission and crossmember.

Moving on to the engine compartment, both battery cables, alternator, carburetor, fuel line, plugs and wires (OEM correct Packard style), air filter, PCV valve, crank case breather, valve cover gaskets and oil+filter are all new. I used Lucas Oil Hot Rod oil with extra zinc to help protect the factory flat tappet lifters and cam. I cleaned up the engine compartment but did not restore it as I did not want it to lose the originality charm. The hood insulation was replaced and just a few brackets were repainted as well as the air cleaner as the paint was mottled and falling off. I replaced the air cleaner and emissions decals and that is about it.

The interior was in good shape but really needed a good cleaning and the panels re-dyed. I pulled the seat and all the rear, door and headliner panels out. Seat was cleaned and the tracks freed up. All the panels with exception of dash and kick panels were prepped and re-dyed with exact matching Camel Tan from NPD. I removed and re-glued the headliner but it fell down again so will need to be replaced. Dash cluster was taken apart, cleaned and a new speedometer cable installed as the old one was making noise. All the window crank and door locks mechanisms were cleaned and freed up so they are smooth. I steam cleaned the original carpet while the seat was out so it looks great. Finally a new set of matching El Camino embroidered floor mats were installed. The interior is now very nice.

Lastly the exterior. The factory bumper guards front and rear were removed as well as some hard chrome mud flaps. I replaced both door handles as the chrome was pitted. Installed new tailgate cables and hardware. I installed a 69 Camaro front spoiler and the finishing touch is new 18” US Mags Rambler rims and tires. I wet sanded much of the exterior, buffed and waxed it so the paint is extra slippery.

Overall this is a very nice riding and driving truck. The larger wheels and lowered springs do not make it ride harsh at all. It still glides down the road. Brakes are great, transmission shifts perfect and with the new OEM carburetor and tune up parts it runs and idles great. You could jump in this truck and daily drive it if you wanted. All the lights, horn, speedo, wipers and radio with factory 8 track work. The HVAC fan motor works but some one ran a separate wire to it with a toggle switch mounted in the dash. So I assume the motor resistor block failed or the power wire has a break in it somewhere.

Overall it is a very nice driver. On the drivers door there are a couple small dents from the little old lady opening the long door into things. The AC is currently not working but all components of the system are untouched. So a leak check, vacuum and recharge should fix it. The windshield is grit blasted from years of driving and also the seal is loose. Body is very solid but not completely rust free. There is some rust behind the driver’s rear wheel and on the inside of the passenger door. Both are not immediately noticeable unless pointed out. No rust issues with floor pans, smugglers box or bed. Frame is solid except for two spots on the rear where a trailer hitch was welded to the frame over the factory drain holes. Truck will come with the factory wheels in the bed and all parts that I removed which are still good or serviceable.

Clear title in hand. I am thorough and fair when describing my cars so there is no surprise or disappointment. Call with any questions 2four8-5zero4-1two261. Located in Grass Lake, MI. Thanks, Jon.