El Camino SS?

[red rocket]

This morning I passed a 1980's vintage El Camino. It had an SS paint scheme. Two questions:

1) Did Chevy actually produce an SS model of the El Camino?

2) If so, what years were they produced and what type of engine was stock in the SS model?

[Not2OLD]

I know Chevrolet began the El Camino SS in like 1967 or '68. It had similar drivetrain options to the Chevelle. Either the 396 or the 454 during the prime years. When the SS package formally ended, I cannot say.

Also, there are a boatload of El Camino websites

[Dan00GPGT]

Yes they did:

http://www.tfn.net/~aaronp/images/elky.jpg

305cid 4bbl 165hp V8, SS, 3.08 positraction rear-end, Auto w/ OD

http://www.tfn.net/~aaronp/

Here's a complete history of the El Camino. Apparently the first one was made in 1968.

http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet-elcamino/images/chevrolet-elcamino-1968a.jpg

http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet-elcamino/chevrolet-elcamino-history.shtml

[red rocket]

The El Camino SS I saw looked more modern than the early 1970's models. I wonder if the owner modified it with a body kit to make it look different?

[koolZ71]

i thought the el camino ss came with a 454 for some reason.....maybe i just imagined it lol

[Not2OLD]

You could get a (LS-4) 454 in 1970 and maybe 1971.....I could not imagine the difficulty in getting the rear end to lock up and wanna go straight.

[RAMAIR1]

A company called Choo-choo Customs actually produced the mid-80's Elky SS's for Chevy. One of those car shows like C&D or Motorweek did a piece on them not too long ago. The front looked identical to the MC SS. They were pretty cool looking and you didnt see them on every street corner, like a "Me-too" Mustang. Is this like the one you saw...found the photo by doing a search for El Camino SS.
http://www.chevelles.com/elcamino/ec_87_2.jpg

[red rocket]

That's EXACTLY what I saw!! You rule for finding that picture!

The front end definitely looked like the Monte Carlo.

[Greed4Speed]

That front end is off as 80's Monte Carlo SS. You can get the whole kit from choo-choo still

I've seen Elkys of the same years with the GNX front end on them. Those look pretty good too. The cool thing about it is they are all G-bodies, and the diff front ends are bolt on. You can run anything from a 3.8 turbo to a 455 B-O-P to a SBC or a BBC.

I'll include a Grand National pic so you can get an idea of the look if you aren't familiar with it..

[DocDave78]

I saw on the TNN show TRUCKS! recently that they did a conversion from a stock elcamino mid 80's to the SS fascia. It was pretty neat the aftermarket parts that were available as well as the ease of the conversion. Its amazing what a few body panels would make a car look like, hmmm I wonder if that can be done with any other car?

[Greed4Speed]

Not so much with newer cars, but older US cars, yes. I've seen an Olds station wagon done like a 442 and a Pontiac one done like a GTO. Just so they are from the same platform it'll work.

[Not2OLD]

Originally posted by Greed4Speed
Not so much with newer cars, but older US cars, yes. I've seen an Olds station wagon done like a 442 and a Pontiac one done like a GTO. Just so they are from the same platform it'll work.


Pontiac actually manufactured a LeMans GT in '71 and I think '72 that had the endura plastic front end....like the GTO. You could oreder that bad-boy with the GTO drivetrain and suspension.

Now THAT's a grocery getter ! !