Quote: I often wondered what it would be like with one of the optional engines, back then....the 396/375 hp. You'd probably have to start off in 2nd gear.
From personal experience...an Elky with Mickey Thompsens on the back and a big-block hooks just fine. It was (AFAIK, still is) owned by a co-worker of my uncle's.
Actually, it's not an El Camino. It's a 1972 GMC Sprint SP with the 396 Invader engine (which was actually a 402, but anyway). As an El Camino, that'd be an SS396 (yes, it's a factory 396 car). It's on about its tenth engine, having housed, at various times over the 20+ years he's owned it, a mild Rat built to stock 396/375HP specs except for having headers, a SB 350, a fire-breathing tunnel-rammed 427, a couple of different 454's, and its current engine, a 502HP GMPP crate 502. It's dressed up to look like a stock engine, except for a set of headers & R-134a converted A/C.
I should also mention the bed is Rhino-Lined, and it is regularly used as a truck. Lumber, engines (he brought the 502 home in it), Home Depot purchaces, his motorcycle, etc.
Useless trivia: 1968-72 Elkys are on A-body (Chevelle) running gear, and use station wagon frames. However, the front fenders do NOT interchange with sedans, convertables or coupes. Elkys & wagons used different front fenders. (1978-87 Elkys were built on Malibu wagon chassis.)
I'll take a Collonade-body (1973-77) Elky or Sprint with a 4-speed & A/C, please.
John
1984 Ford B-700 school bus conversion, Thomas body
A bunch of other vehicles
3 nutty cats (Maya, Vierna, Briza)
One lazy dog (Marmaduke)
One wife (Liz)
"A wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age"
-Jim Steinman
Capt Skup wrote: Tailblazer with a moving roof, the HHR, the SSR, the latest GTO, and now this. Wonder why GM is having such a difficult time with sales.
It would be easy to believe that the people that buy these vehicles wouldn't even give a second look to an F-450...........
..........To each his own.
BTW, GM isn't the only Detroit based automobile company that is having a tough time with sales.
Capt Skup wrote: Tailblazer with a moving roof, the HHR, the SSR, the latest GTO, and now this. Wonder why GM is having such a difficult time with sales.
It's not just GM...they're ALL including Ford having difficulty with sales. What did Ford lose this latest quarter.....how many billion ??
But then so did GM, Chrysler...even Toyota, Nissan and Honda sales are in the tank.
These are not El Caminos in Australia. More a "sports sedan with utility". There are truck like Utes with 2,800lb carrying capacity, they have car like low loading and loading and a car ride and roadholding.They are not "trucks"like the F250 etc. Then again we do not consider the F250-F350 to be Trucks either just "Big Utes". Cultural differences can be confusing.
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It was (AFAIK, still is) owned by a co-worker of my uncle's.
