Chop Shop Elco?

[RustBucket]

I have a couple questions about my El Camino. I don't believe the truck and the VIN plate are a match. I googled the VIN and it shows it was originally a v6. The truck has a 305 / th350. The dash has a super sport emblem which I know could of been added after but still. It has power windows and power locks. Has the front spoiler valance, and I can see where body work was done to cover up the holes for the bed rails. Also it has a rally gauge cluster. Were all these options available for a v6? I also have a 1981 Malibu that was originally v6 and it is manual locks and windows with the long speedo. 4 door of course but still. I feel like the Elco is not the Elco the VIN says it is. Can someone shed light on this matter? Thanks God bless.

 

[CaliWagon83]

Not necessarily chop shop. The previous owner (or the owner previous to that one) could have done those modifications. If the mods were done DIY, or well out-of-warranty (which would be all G-bodies by now) then they wouldn’t necessarily be documented on a service like Carfax. If everything works correctly and seems well screwed-together, I wouldn’t worry about it and enjoy the car as it is.

 

[RustBucket]

Was there any regular elcos with power windows and power locks? The wiring looks original it even has the rubber loom that goes from the door to the frame. Idk I hope it's the Elco the VIN says it is, I really don't care I'm keeping the truck but just want to know if the options the v6 had.

 

[1evilregal]

if it's a later elky with a spid label, you could decode from that........

 

[TURNA]

Yes Elcos had those options available

You could have all the fancy options with a V6

 

[TURNA]

The Super Sport emblem was probably just added by a former owner

 

[Turbolq4]

My 81 Malibu wagon has a v6 and power windows and locks, ac, tilt, cruise, vinyl seats. You could get all weird options. My 81 Malibu sedan was a V8 with power everything but has the nicer cloth seats you would expect to find with the other options.

 

[pagrunt]

From what I came across (checking '78-'81) the V6 is the SS base engine. The sweep style custer was also standard across the Malibu/El Camino line, only got round if gauges were ordered ('82 up all was round style.) The main proof of being a true deco SS, you'll need the build sheet to find RPO Z15-SS option. Heres some links for '78-'81 info from GM's site (not sure of your year so I'm post them all.)
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...n-kits/El-Camino/1978-Chevrolet-El-Camino.pdf
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...n-kits/El-Camino/1979-Chevrolet-El-Camino.pdf
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...n-kits/El-Camino/1980-Chevrolet-El-Camino.pdf
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/do...n-kits/El-Camino/1981-Chevrolet-El-Camino.pdf

 

[Ribbedroof]

It's somewhere between 30 and 40 years old, very few that age have not been dorked with.

Back when I was young, guys were putting SS emblems on stuff that was only a few years old, so I never put much stock in the ornaments on an old car without some kind of documentation to support it

As for chop shops. I worked with a guy that had an "84" MCSS. White under the flat black, red interior, 3.73 axle, aero mirrors, 87 taillamps, SPID label peeled, door tag peeled....now that car sure smelled like a tag job to me.