1979 Chevrolet El Camino

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong.

The Generous Collection returns with Part 2 offering over 250 cars in August all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy.

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The 1979 Chevrolet El Camino represents a compelling fusion of car-like comfort and pickup utility. That year, buyers could select from a range of engines, including a 3.3L V6 and V8 options up to the 5.7L (350 cubic inch) small-block, offering a solid balance of torque and drivability for both highway cruising and light hauling.

Technically, the El Camino's unibody-adjacent design—actually a modified perimeter frame shared with the Malibu—gave it better ride quality than traditional trucks of the era, while still delivering a bed capable of hauling around 1,100 pounds. Independent front suspension and a coil-spring rear axle contributed to a smoother, more car-like handling experience. The 1979 model also featured clean lines with rectangular headlights and chrome accents without excess ornamentation.

The El Camino embodies a genuine passenger car experience paired with functional cargo capacity. Finished in white over red fabric, this '79 El Camino is powered by a V8 and features Kenwood sound, Centerline-style wheels, and auxiliary gauges.

This 1979 Chevrolet El Camino is now represented at no reserve by a Broad Arrow Specialist with a clean Alabama title in the current owner's name.

Highlights

• Offered from The Generous Collection

• 305ci V8 engine

• 3-speed automatic transmission

• Finished in white over a red cloth interior

Factory Equipment

• 117-inch wheelbase

• Front disc / rear drum brake system

• Restyled grille (new for '79)

• Relocated Chevrolet nameplate on the lower-left grille section

• Revised tail lamp treatment

• Cargo bed with drop-down tailgate

• Bench seating in cloth

• Light smoke-gray instrument cluster face trim

• The chassis number (1W80H9D491005) decodes as:

  • 1 – Chevrolet Motor Division

  • W – El Camino series (A-Body)

  • 80 – Body style: 2-door Sedan Pickup

  • H – Engine: V-8, 305ci (5.0L)

  • 9 – Model year: 1979

  • D – Assembly plant: Doraville, Georgia

  • 491005 – Sequential production number

Modifications

• Aftermarket Kenwood head unit

• Centerline-style wheels

• Auxiliary gauges

Known Imperfections

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of vehicles in this collection, it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present. Please refer to the photo gallery.

• Worn and faded paint

• Rust in various locations

• Torn driver’s seat

• Broken grille

Ownership History

This 1979 Chevrolet El Camino is offered from The Generous Collection of no-reserve automobiles.

Additional Information

Motor vehicles older than 35 years (1991) are exempt from Alabama’s titling requirements. In states that issue titles, an Alabama registration converts to a title upon transfer.

Please note that the title is in transit for this vehicle.

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096 Email: rpotts@hagerty.com

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide very limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential; however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require extensive additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is.  

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite, between the hours of 9AM to 6PM local time beginning Monday, September 14 through Wednesday, September 30. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 14, and any lots remaining after September 30 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.