HELP! Journalist on deadline needs info...

[auto_editor]

Many thanks to everyone for their information. You have in fact confirmed my initial--and subsequent--impression that this is either someone who has been fooled (the car was purchased off eBay Jan. 13, 2013 for $7,300 as a "1978 Chevrolet El Camino Factory 4 Speed 67k Miles very RARE 1978 El Camino SS/Hurst edition") and is just keeping the lie going unintentionally or it's someone looking for another rube to pay elite money for a basic car.

Speaking of which, what IS a 1978 El Camino SS 4-speed worth? I mean, while you have pretty much let all the air out of this particular balloon, if we were to lock onto the the things we KNOW could've been assembled in 1978 (engine, trans, SS package), what numbers are we talking? Was the 2013 sale for $7,300 a shrewd buy (today's seller has it on his lot for $9,999)? All of my price guides (surprise, surprise) don't cover 1978 El Caminos, and even the ones that sort of do are covering something un-screwed-around-with.

If you visit http://collectorcarpricetracker.com/auc ... 174682364/ you can see the original eBay run-down on the car, plus TONS of pictures. And PLEASE don't take offense at this but I wouldn't pay $730 for this thing, let alone ten times that. But after a good look at the Royal Knight El Camino and El Diablo Caballero, on the other hand, I can see the attraction. But still, is either model generating TEN GRAND worth of attraction? I guess that's up to YOU to have the final word(s). I'm just a guest here... 😀

[The auction company, BTW, is "not responsible for the information provided by the seller, and it is up to each buyer to research the car(s) they are potentially purchasing." I KNEW there had to be delivery nurses for all those suckers born every minute...]

 

[clean8485]

I agree with your decision to pass on this vehicle. Its not worth the $7,300. If you're looking for something like this, I'd look for an original 350/4 speed vehicle with the SS, and/or Royal Knight options, or a Cabalero with the Diablo option. Make sure you get all the proper documentation to go with the vehicle.
As far as value is concerned, I'm not sure I can help you. It would depend on the vehicle, and how badly you want it. In the end, its worth whatever you're willing to pay for it. I would definitely do some more research. Take your time, and try to get as much information as you can, before you spend your money.
Good luck with your search.

 

[307 Regal]

Well as ssn696 brought up, this was probably a V6/3-speed car originally. To me that says:
-"Someone" put "a chevy 350" in (out of what?)
-"Someone" put the trans in (how well and in what shape is it?)
-The rear diff could be a peg-leg with 2-series gears
-The suspension could be on the soft/floaty side (maybe not so great handling)


Without seeing the car in person, test driving it, testing the "electricals" (signals, radio, etc), or having any idea where the powertrain came from it would be hard to put a number on it.
If it were me, I'd strictly be buying this because I wanted an El Camino with a manual trans setup. I'd buy this with the impression that I'd have to mod/fix it to my liking, so I'd be thinking of future costs especially related to suspension and the differential.
As of right now, just seeing it on the net, I can't imagine myself paying more than 4,000 for it. If the body and frame are as solid as they look and the engine/trans swap was done tastefully and in good condition, then that number might go up. Especially if it has a limited slip differential in good shape. I'd doubt much more than 7K, though, unless this was my dream car.
And there again, it all comes down to who really wants it.