Car: 1966 Custom El Camino
Having been a GM person all my life, when it comes to looking for a classic, it was no surprise that I chose the El Camino. My first car was a 56 Chevy six cylinder two door post which transported me to and from university. From there I progressed to a 1966 Chevrolet Caprice, two door hardtop with a 396 four speed, but my real dream at that time was to own a Corvette.
By now, Sharon and I were newly weds, and although cars to her simply meant something that gets you from point A to point B, she was a good scout and we saved like mad. Foregoing furniture and dining out and bought a new 1972 split window Corvette with a LT1 350 V8, four speed. We certainly had a lot of fun with the Vette, but it came to a time to make a decision between kids or car and guess who won.
We then drove more family type GM cars until the kids left home. Having gone down to Hot August nights in Reno for two years running it didn’t take much to rekindle that hankering for a classic. With the dollar exchange being what it was Reno, was not the place to buy, so I began my search on this side of the boarder (Canadian side) for a model that was a little different. My search ended when I found the El Camino.
Side three quarter shot of Morely & Sharon's Custom El Camino My Custom El Camino came from the factory with the following options
Options / Description
A02 Front tinted windshield
A52 Front Bench Seat
D35 Drivers rear view mirror
J50 Power Brakes
M35 Powerglide Two Speed Automatic Transmission
N40 Power Steering
U63 AM Push button Radio
I bought the El Camino in September 1997 with the body and running gear already done. I have to give full marks to the previous owner, Steve Johnson, for a job well done. The interior is in fairly good condition but I have been gradually working to improve it. The El Camino now has a newer AM/FM tape deck, but I have the original radio that came with the car.
Additions to the El Camino include 1967 275 HP 327 V8 with 10.0:1 compression, 1970 300 HP 350 V8 cylinder heads, new quadra jet carburetor, HEI ignition, and Iski mega 270 cam, edlebrock valve covers. Also added was a 1967 rebuilt M21 muncie close ratio four speed, headman headers, 11 inch clutch and 2.5 inch exhaust pipes to expel the waste gases from combustion, Lakewood adjustable traction bars, tonneau cover, Corvette 15x8 ralley wheels and instrument gauges
Now, I have an older vehicle that is in great original condition and is both reliable and roadworthy. It has not needed much work except for the usual maintenance. I now know that I never really outgrew my affinity for the classic lines of cars that are now three decades old. Some things never change. I think Nancy regrets ever making that fateful suggestion because we now have two 1960s cars in our driveway and I am looking for a third.
