1972 Chevrolet El Camino for Sale
A rare 1972 Chevrolet El Camino built for South Africa is now for sale. It's a Holden ute with a 308 V8 that has undergone a custom restoration.
A 1972 Chevrolet El Camino, assembled solely for the South African market, is now for sale. This vehicle is a right-hand-drive example powered by a 308 cubic inch Holden V8 paired with a 3-speed Tri-Matic automatic transmission.
This car represents a unique chapter in automotive history. From 1969 until the late 1970s, General Motors South Africa sold Chevrolet El Caminos that were actually Australian Holden utilities assembled from kits in Port Elizabeth.
The Holden Connection
Facing rising local-content rules and the high cost of Canadian kits, GM South Africa turned to its Australian subsidiary, Holden. The first Chevrolet-badged Holden models, including the El Camino ute, went on sale in May 1969. The report notes these quickly became GM's best-seller in the country.
Early South African El Caminos were heavily altered from their Australian counterparts. They featured a unique front end with quad headlights, a design Australian Holdens would not adopt for several years. The interiors and badging were also specific to South Africa.
Powertrain and Model Specifications
The engine lineup created a transcontinental parts swap. The report states that while this Chevrolet-badged ute could be fitted with a Holden 308 V8, Holden-badged sedans sold in South Africa at the same time used Chevrolet six-cylinder engines.
When the all-new Holden HQ model arrived in South Africa under the internal code 'AQ', the changes were more subtle. The available engines for the 1972 model year are detailed in the source.
| Engine | Transmission Options |
|---|---|
| 202 cubic inch six | Manual |
| Chevrolet 250 cubic inch six | Manual or Tri-Matic automatic |
| 308 cubic inch V8 | Tri-Matic automatic only |
Ford's Parallel Strategy
GM was not alone in this approach. The source indicates that Ford's Port Elizabeth plant was doing the same thing, assembling Australian Falcon utilities from kits and selling them under the Ranchero nameplate.
The Vehicle for Sale
The specific 1972 El Camino now offered reportedly spent most of its life in a dry South African climate with a private owner and was not used for heavy work. It has since undergone a comprehensive restoration and custom build.
The work included a bare-metal repaint in metallic burgundy with metallic black panels. During the process, the glass, engine, and suspension were removed. The suspension and braking systems were overhauled, with upgraded front disc brakes, and the car was slightly lowered.
Further modifications include the addition of modern power steering, air conditioning, electric windows, a side-exit exhaust, leather bucket-style seating, and a custom French Oak dashboard and load-bed trim. This blend of Holden engineering, Chevrolet branding, and bespoke restoration makes for a highly distinctive classic bakkie.
