The actual freedom of an old car

[GS1150Pilot]

Some years back, I bought a 1968 El Camino from the original owner. He bought the car after coming back from Vietnam. It was the top SS trim; L78 engine, Muncie 4 speed close ratio trans, 4:11 posi rear end, disc brakes, and bench seat. This was the "package" they offered with the L78 engine.

When I took possession of the car, it had a Turbo 400 automatic, so first project, was to restore the manual.

Found the proper trans, and even got an original Muncie shifter. First drive, I learned why everyone threw the Muncie shifter in the trash, and bought a Hurst. There was almost no lockout on reverse, and it was super easy to mistakenly shift into reverse. It took real skill to avoid this mishap, and switching to a Hurst was high on the list of mods planned there after. Sadly, that car project was never finished. It was sold to buy my exwife an engagement ring! What a WASTE! Oh well...

I still want an Elky. A great friend of my dad had a '72 that left a lasting impression on me. Even the '76 he then bought was cool.

[Big Block]

A friend in highschool had a 396 SS El Camino. It wasn't enough of course so when my other friend Bruce swapped his 427 out of his 67 Vette for an LS7 454, Terry installed the 427 in the El Camino. That was my favorite Chevrolet from the time as well and it was black.
Here is another one of my herd. cars 013.jpg

[MikeLyon]

Some of these videos are fairly long but over the winter enjoyed watching a few of them

Old el Camino

[trevor]

A friend that comes to my Friday afternoon safety meetings has a first year El Camino

[Nessism]

One more story about my '68 El Camino...

It was purchased in California, where the restoration began. Shortly after that, I took a job assignment in the Cleveland area, and the company moved me, and the car, there. The car was delivered to the work office, because I didn't have a permanent place to live yet. Not long after, I bought a house, and needed to move the car there.

The car was prepped for paint, front and back glass removed. Come moving day, I slammed on my sunglasses, and headed out. A year earlier, I had the body sandblasted, and the first few miles the sand was flying everywhere, inside the cab. That cleared out soon enough, so I put the hammer down and drove as fast as reasonably possible, before the cops could get me. The Ohio highway patrol don't mess around, but I made it home safe without incident. Great fun!

[dorkburger]

Regarding the original video. I mostly agree, but regarding his mention of failing electronics, unless one is going back to carburetor times there are electronics involved. Granted, new stuff is ridiculously complicated, but even the older more rudimentary stuff can be problematic as it ages.

Since we're speaking ElCamino... my 66. It started as a 230 / powerglide car. It ended as a 454 / 4 speed. It took me on two cross country trips and countless weekend and day trips.

Untitled by Glen Brenner, on Flickr