Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Chevrolet El Camino

VIN – 136805Z104137
Exterior Color – Red
Interior Color – Gold and Tan
Engine – Small Block V8
Transmission – 3 -Speed automatic
Current Miles – 68,329 (TMU)

Highlights of This Car

-Sold new in California documented by copy of original 1964 CA Title
-Beautiful invoice-documented professional restoration completed in 2020

VIN Decoded

1 – Chevrolet
36 – Custom El Camino V8
80 – 2 door Sedan Pick-up
5 – 1965 year of build
Z – Freemont, CA manufacturing plant
104137 – #4,0137th one built

General Overview

Having seen the growing market for a novel blend of truck utility with the performance of a passenger car, Chevrolet launched the El Camino in 1959. The first versions proved to be successful, but GM made the decision to halt production for four years before reintroducing the second-generation models in 1964. Now sharing the Chevelle platform, the new El Camino offered distinct performance styling and a large usable bed. The combined power and muscle-car design shared with the Chevelle helped boost sales, especially when ordered with the potent 327 V8 engine. In 1965 the El Camino shared the new V shaped front-end design improvements and higher performance engines.

History and Build Details of This Car

This Custom V8 model El Camino was built in the Fremont, CA manufacturing facility and delivered to the first owner, California business owner “Jim” of Jims, owner /operator of a business that utilized the truck for work purposes. The truck was titled using black and gold California commercial license plates R 40 665, which remain on the vehicle today. According to the body and trim tag mounted on the cowl, this truck was built at the factory with the following codes:

9D – Built September 4th week
ST 65-13680 – 1965 Malibu Series El Camino
637 – Fischer Body unit number
RR – Ember Red exterior paint
A – Black painted wheels
F – Fawn interior trim code
717 – Bucket Seat Light Fawn Imitation Leather

Having benefited from California ownership since new, this El Camino was the perfect candidate for a professional restoration. Performed over a two-year period from 2017-2019, the restoration covered all aspects of the car including removal of the engine and transmission, tending to all mechanical systems including brakes, fuel, and all major suspension components. During the restoration the original glass was retained but the windshield and rubber gasket were replaced using a correct tinted and shaded unit. Peninsula Auto Body was contracted to replace the door hinges and align the doors, repaint the steering wheel and steering column with matching color. The body shell was primed and finished to a very high level including the bed.

The interior was refurbished with rebuilt and recovered seats finished by Franzini Brothers using correct two-tone fawn and gold color material and chrome seat molding supplied by leading Chevrolet supplier Original Parts Group who also supplied the new headliner, sail panel boards, carpet, interior trim parts, and extensive rubber parts, door jamb windlacing, gaskets and window felts, lenses, mirrors, emblems, knobs, switches, foot pedal pads, and numerous hardware as well as additional exterior emblems for the entire project. The radio was also updated with an FM conversion module, all electrolytic capacitors replaced, and a new dial lamp installed.

Under the hood, the small block V8 engine was rebuilt and fitted with Pertronix ignition, and the distributor curved for better performance. A new water pump and thermostat and a new power steering pump were installed. A 12:1 power steering gear box was installed, a 65-amp alternator, new distributor vacuum advance, harmonic balancer, crank pulley shim kit, carburetor kit, accelerator pump, electric choke kit, and a pair of exhaust manifolds fitted along with LT1/Z28 aluminum valve covers were also installed. The metal fuel and brake lines were replaced, and proper fittings, new transmission cooling lines, as well as numerous replacement parts were installed for the suspension, including new bushings, control arm bumper kit, and pitman arm – to name just a few of the hundreds of detailed items identified in the near 50 pages of reference invoices spanning the restoration. The consigning owner, a multiple car collector and performance enthusiast, commissioned the restoration in 2017 and completed the car in 2020.

Condition Overview

Today this El Camino presents in excellent condition offering a handsome stock appearance with tasteful upgrades. The red paint is glossy and properly prepared with excellent coverage throughout the body and very nice workmanship in the bed. The hood, doors, and tailgate show very good panel gaps and proper fitting to the body, opening and closing with ease. The door hinges, typically worn on these cars from decades of use, have been replaced (Both top and bottom, left and right) and properly adjusted during the restoration. The exterior chrome and various polished trim, emblems, and badges are all in excellent condition, having been recently sourced from top-tier restoration parts experts serving the El Camino community. The glass, lenses, and lighting have very nice factory finishes overall with newer rubber and gasket material correctly installed during the restoration. The side glass appears to be original, retaining the factory brand marks, while the windshield has been replaced using a correct tinted band unit. The vent window rubber, more difficult to replace, is in generally good condition but appears original and thus exhibits signs of age. The carefully performed restoration, now roughly two years old, still maintains a fresh and cohesive appearance including a beautiful grille, wheel lip moldings, and very bed trim. The period-correct American Racing Torq Thrust aftermarket performance wheels are in excellent condition with polished rim surfaces and sand cast spokes, showing no significant scratches or marks.

The interior has been very nicely restored using correct components, proper materials, and attention to detail throughout including a very nicely detailed instrument panel, correct contoured dash pad, very nicely finished instruments, and correct factory door panels. The dash pad houses a speaker grille with a minor crack visible at the corner of the padding. The beautiful, and correct, low pile carpeting, restored factory steering wheel, and nicely detailed trim all come together offering a stock appearance to the sporty cockpit. All chrome interior features are in very good condition including the detailed knobs, switches, unique El Camino script on the dashboard, updated vintage radio, and fresh foot pedal pads. The two-tone interior delivers a very nice impression in all respects.

Under the hood, the 327 cu. in. engine has been tended to with attention to detail favoring a combination of original finishes and important upgrades. The painted finishes have been applied correctly to reveal a vintage appearance, but include updated hardware, battery, Pertronix ignition, a 65-amp alternator, and other enhancements to improve reliability and performance. The look of the engine compartment pays homage to the original, cleverly concealing many of the upgrades to the engine. The finish overall is very crisp, detailed, and tastefully done. The underside reveals a combination of original features and restored suspension components, new fuel and brake lines, and other important improvements. The original finishes appear dry and free from structural corrosion. There is no visual evidence of structural compromise to the chassis or suspension mounting points.

The car starts easily and runs smoothly, delivering a potent V8 sound that captures the heart of any performance enthusiast. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly and offers stout acceleration and delightful kick-down when entering the highway.

This handsomely restored El Camino is ready for enjoyable driving and showing, delivering all the power and excitement of performance motoring from the proud and potent American Muscle Car era.

Items Included with the Car

This El Camino is offered with a factory owner’s manual, various period literature, a set of rubber floor mats, copies of restoration records and parts receipts. and a few unused reproduction spare parts still in the factory packaging.

A closer look at this El Camino https://youtu.be/3FNHgXdOkQQ

Let's go for a drive https://youtu.be/Vff3wti2IIk

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608