Transporter dropped off my new '72 Elky today and I've been playing Magnum PI, trying to figure out what I've got. Here's what I have so far on the trim plate...

ST 72 13680 K 157923 BDY
Style / 1972 / Chevy Elky Custom / Kansas City / Prod. Seq. / Body

TR 704 A52 75 11 PNT
Trim / ? / Bench Seat / ? / ? / Paint

05D 03311
May,4th week / ?

VIN on car is 1D80H2K638595 with a manuf. date of 05-72

Elky is currently painted red top, white below. Black carpet and interior appear to be original.

Any help would be appreicated. Really want to know what original color the car was.

Biggest surprise about this eBay Elky I just bought...the headliner is intact, original, and practically flawless. First one I've ever seen this nice. Rest of the interior is shot, but the headliner and visors are amazing.

Thanks,
Kurt

My corrections and additions are in BOLD

ST 72 13680 K 157923 BDY
Style / 1972 / Chevy Elky Custom / Kansas City /BODY NUMBER ASSIGNED BY CHEVROLET WHEN ORDER WAS RECEIVED, DOES NOT FOLLOW ANY PRODUCTION SEQUENCE, FIRST ORDER IN DOES NOT MEAN FIRST BUILT. THEY SCHEDULED BUILDS PER MANY PRESET GUIDELINES AND 1STR IN, 1ST OUT WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. / Body

TR 704 A52 75 11 PNT
Trim /BLACK DELUXE VINYL BENCH SEAT / Bench Seat /CRANBERRY RED LOWER COLOR/WHITE UPPER COLOR / Paint

05D 03311
May,4th week /TRUNCATED PORTION OF DATA PROCESSING SEQUENCE NUMBER (8-12 DIGITS) FROM BOX 24 OF THE BUILD SHEET. NO HIDDEN MEANING HERE, JUST A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF BODY IN THE GM COMPLEX WHICH BUILT MANY OTHER GM MODELS AT LEEDS (KANSAS CITY SUBURB)

1D80H2K638595

1 - CHEVROLET DIVISION
D - EL CAMINO CUSTOM
80 - 2 DOOR PICKUP
H - 350 2BBL CARB V8
2- 1972
K - LEEDS ASSEMBLY (KANSAS CITY)
638595 - PRODUCTION SERIAL NUMBER IN SEQUENCE THAT STARTED COUNTING AT 500001 FOR ALL CHEVELLE MODELS AS WELL AS GMC SPRINT, THIS WOULD BE THE 138,595 OF THOSE MODELS BIULT AT LEEDS.

What more do you need?

Here is something of interest, I still have this from when I bought my 1972 El Camino SS 350 which is below..

http://www.synthetic-oil.com/images/72ELC.jpg
http://www.synthetic-oil.com/images/72ElcaminoSS.jpg
http://www.synthetic-oil.com/images/72GMC.jpg

Thanks for the detailed reply. Great info and much appreciated.

Where might I find specific numbers detailing how many '72's went out with the optional two-tone paint scheme? Or is this type of info so eclectic that no collector would want to know of this info?

This site seems to indicate this was a rare option...
http://www.chevelles.com/elcamino/weeks_ec.htm

Here is a pic of my Elky, pretty and sweet and just waiting for me to start restoring her...

http://homepage.mac.com/kayak/twotone72/

Thanks,
Kurt

Where might I find specific numbers detailing how many '72's went out with the optional two-tone paint scheme? Or is this type of info so eclectic that no collector would want to know of this info?


I don't know where you might find info on this paint option. While I have seen ELC with the paint scheme dating back to 1972+ I don't think is was all that popular on the 1972 models.

For model year 1972 the option was only available after mid-year. Production numbers may be low. I have been looking for this info with no luck. I once owned one and now I am having a hard time finding another. Good luck you've got a gem.

I once owned one and now I am having a hard time finding another. Good luck you've got a gem.

Thanks for the info. I have yet to see another and have even checked a local dealer here in Oklahoma that deals specifically with El Caminos (http://www.bethanykars.com/).

I'm tinkering with the idea of selling my two/tone "gem-in-the-rough" Elky in the near future. I've got it running great and reliably now, and have been using it for parts running and errands around the homestead. Am starting to feel guilty about making a work horse out of a 34-year old classic, and don't have the time or energy to restore it properly for show or cruising.

Will probably regret selling it, but this is my 2nd Elky, and won't be my last.

Kurt
'72 two/tone daily driver

I may be interested. Keep in touch. You are a pretty good distance away but I can come get it. I'll try to post some pics of my old one.

http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_album351.html

It's a metallic brown on the top and bottom with gold in the middle. Funny thing is, I don't like the colors. I'm seriously considering changing it to one color (leaning towards gulf green with a dark green vinyl roof). I assume these are rare because i've only seen 2-3 in my life, not counting yours and Lost's. But being rare doesn't mean desirable. Click on my profile to see it's picture if you like.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

//Glenn