Member: Greg and Dianne Goddard
Car: 1969 El Camino SS
Car: 1969 El Camino SS
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I purchased the El Camino in March 2008 from a fellow in Bad Axe, Michigan (south of Detroit). I spotted it on E-Bay. This was my first E-Bay purchase so I was a little nervous, especially as I was buying sight unseen. The odometer showed 56,997 miles.
The fellow said it was originally a Texas “Camino.” I knew it was a non numbers matching truck before buying. I was after a driver. I had the El Camino shipped to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan by Sea Rail. Most of the “grunt” work had already been done however it wasn’t quite as good as described. Still I was pleased with my purchase.
The El Camino is an SS 396 with the original engine replaced with a 1981, 454 and Turbo 400 Transmission. It has Pearl White factory bucket seats, full instrumentation package and factory A/C. The sheet metal, interior, white vinyl roof and glass are all finished. The engine has been rebuilt. Since I bought the truck I replaced the Quadra-Jet with a 750 Edelbrock, added HEI ignition, added 2 ˝ “ Flowmaster Exhaust, replaced drive shaft, front springs, shocks, A-arm bushings, power steering pump and gearbox. I also had a colour matched spray in box liner installed. I installed sequential front turn signal lights which work similar to the old Ford Thunder Bird and Cougar tail lights. The lights are very close in size to the original lights in the front bumper.
The Camino has chrome valve covers, oil pan, air cleaner, radiator support, brake booster, and new SS exhaust tips.
I still have a lot to do this winter. The Camino currently has a 10 bolt non-posi differential which I plan to swap for a 3:42, 12 bolt posi complete with ladder traction bars. I am adding a finned aluminum diff. cover as well.
I was very surprised when my step-daughter picked the colour of her graduation dress; it was a near match to the Hugger Orange paint on the truck. Needless to say she drove the Camino to her graduation. We’ve nicknamed The Camino “Greg’s Pumpkin.”
It is currently appraised at $27,400.00. I was going to sell it and make a few bucks but that was then and this is now. The truck is just too much fun to drive and besides, where would I find another with these options?
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