The line between car and truck has always defined the Chevrolet El Camino, but one highly customized example is about to push those boundaries even further. A 1978 Chevrolet El Camino Custom, reimagined with muscle car flair and modern engineering, will cross the block at the Mecum Indy Fall Special on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
This Oct. 2-4, Mecum is back in Indy, where the auction that started it all 38 years ago is held today. After a tremendous Indy Spring Classic, the Indy Fall Special auction once again brings the excitement of Mecum Auctions to the wide world of consignors, bidders, drivers and dreamers. Indianapolis has seen billions of dollars in positive economic impact over the years from car-centric events like Mecum’s annual auctions and the long-running, world-famous Indianapolis 500 race. Get registered to bid or purchase spectator tickets to get involved in the Mecum Fall Special action, and witness first-hand why these auction events have been going strong for almost four decades! Without a doubt, Mecum auctions are best experienced in person. Click here for tickets and more information.
This one-of-a-kind build has been transformed into a show-stopping hybrid that borrows heavily from Chevrolet’s performance heritage. Both the front and rear styling have been reshaped to mirror the lines of a 1969 Camaro, while the interior has been completely refitted with Camaro-inspired touches including gauges, a steering wheel, and period-correct design cues. The effect is a car that looks less like a utility vehicle and more like a muscle car that happens to have a truck bed.
Under the hood lies the heart of the build: a supercharged LSA V-8 paired with a Holley digital EFI system and a 4L60 automatic transmission. Performance is bolstered by four-wheel disc brakes, coilover shocks, and a 3.73 rear end, while modern conveniences such as air conditioning and a Bluetooth-compatible radio balance the car’s radical styling with everyday usability.
The red-over-black El Camino has been a dominant force on the show circuit, claiming “Best El Camino” at the 2025 Bowtie Nationals, First Place in Class at the 2025 Piston Power Show, and recognition for Outstanding Engineering from the International Show Car Association.
Riding on 17-inch SS wheels wrapped in Diamondback tires, the El Camino has proven to be more than just a concept—it’s a fully engineered vision of what happens when classic muscle and creative custom work collide.
Offered at no reserve, it may prove to be one of the most talked-about lots in Indy. See it here.
Eve Nowell