Need a pick-me-up?

Mecum, Portland, USA 16-17 June

I accidentally discovered the joys of the highperformance commercial vehicle in 1986 after buying a tidy-looking Morris Marina van at an auction (writes

Simon de Burton) simply because it was ridiculously cheap. It turned out to have been fitted with an MGB engine which, to add to the fun factor, had also been given a ‘fast road’ tune. The lack of weight at the rear end made it lethal in the wet, but it was also hugely entertaining in a straight line.

Doubtless this superb Chevrolet El Camino LS5 pick-up offers similar amusement, albeit on a somewhat grander scale. Built in 1970, it’s a top-ofthe-range SS (for Super Sport) version featuring ‘custom’ trim and a 454ci, big-block V8 producing 360bhp. Quick getaways from the traffic lights must therefore create quite a spectacle, and 13-second quarter-mile times were said to have been well within reach in period.

Refinished in its factory Astro Blue paint job with white bonnet stripes and matching vinyl roof, this El Camino is in truly superb condition throughout and comes with all the period optional extras such as power steering, power brakes, electric windows and locks, bucket seats and revcounter. It even has the correct Goodyear Polyglas tyres fitted to its Super Sport-specific five-spoke rims, and is logged on the LS5 historic register.

Mecum hasn’t applied a pre-sale estimate to this wonderfully odd combination of load-lugger and hot rod – but if it makes much less than $40,000, we reckon it will be a steal.