So Chad wants to tempt me with a Dodge Mirada that has a straight body and…well, that’s about it, really. Ok, it didn’t have a roof diaper on it, but still, it would be ground zero for a brand new build if I had a passing interest. Ok, I see what’s up. And I can play that game nicely. If you are new to BangShift, reader, you will notice that there are three distinct personalities and automotive backgrounds at work here. Lohnes loves huge, lumbering, slow work beast trucks, I dig anything weird and “off”, especially 1970s and 1980s stuff, and Chad is a die-hard Chevy guy to the core. I don’t have a complete track of what he’s got, but between his square-body dually, his 1956 Chevy wagon on a Caprice frame, and Ethyl herself, if I want to get at the Bearded One, it’s going to have a bow tie on it, without question, and it had better be badass.

Too easy.

Let’s run through the condensed version: 396, four-speed, 12-bolt with highway gears, RideTech air ride setup, four-wheel disc brakes, gorgeous paint, a spotless interior, and even a clean bed. Out of every year of the Chevelle and El Camino, I truly dig the 1969 models…the deep gauges and that forward-preaking nose look absolutely sinister. By comparison, the 1970-72 models looked upright and basic. The 396 could be a relative dog and it’ll still put a smile on your face. If it isn’t…whoo boy, this will be fun. The only way I could think to improve this El Camino is to deepen the rear gears and to add a couple of forward gears at the transmission. You don’t suppose Chad has a few friends that could help there, do you?

He has Ethyl as a daily, Rusty as a project, and the dually as his big truck. But you know, and I know, that he’s looking at this car and wondering if there’s a role that isn’t filled yet at the Reynolds household. It’s right there, boss. Waiting.

eBay Link: 1969 Chevrolet El Camino