The fifth (and final) generation of Chevrolet's El Camino ute debuted in 1978 as a downsized version of its predecessors and received a fairly heavy mid-cycle styling refresh for 1982. It had been styled to resemble the Malibu midsize sedan, but after the refresh it took its cues from the G-body Monte Carlo personal luxury coupe.
Gone were the hairier engine options from yesteryear, as the more fuel-conscious "new size" truckette came with an assortment of V-6s, a tame 305 small block, or the execrable Oldsmobile 350 diesel.
Chevrolet did offer a factory SS option, RPO Z15, that came with some trim & paint detail differences and an air dam. It also came with big SS decals on the doors and tailgate up through '83, but that stopped because Chevrolet started contracting through Choo Choo Customs of Chattanooga, which had mostly been known for its luxo conversion vans, to do an SS appearance package for the El Camino.
Choo Choo customs essentially fitted a Monte Carlo Super Sport snout and ground effects to the El Camino. In addition to the nose job, various options were available, like a "cowl induction" style hood bulge and functional side pipes.
Unlike the Monte Carlo SS, though, the El Camino SS was all bark and no bite. Whereas the Monte could be had with the L69 305 H.O. small block, which came with better-flowing heads, gnarlier camshaft, low-restriction exhaust, flat top 9.5:1 pistons, and a 750cfm Quadrajet, all of which added up to 190 horsepower, the Choo Choo Customs El Caminos still had the basic LG4 4-barrel 305 taxi motor from the regular El Caminos. While the lower compression ratio meant it'd run happily on regular gas, it also meant it only put out 150 horsepower.
The top and bottom photos were shot with a Nikon D1X and Nikon's excellent 35mm f/1.8 DX prime lens in November of 2021, while the middle one was snapped in October of 2020 using a Nikon D7000 and a 16-80mm f/2.8-4E VR zoom lens.
Why did GM's plastic front ends of this era always look like they'd melted a little?
ReplyDeleteI mean, I like the aesthetic, but it’s because of having to compete with Ford’s much more aero thunderbirds in NASCAR.
DeleteIf originality doesn't matter you can stick all manner of engines and transmissions in there, and attach a variety of front clips. There are Buick Grand National pickups out there. I've always liked the 5th generation because the quarter window behind the door gives it a strong coupe utility vibe.
DeleteThey only made a couple thousand Choo Choo Customs SS El Caminos, so I'd probably let a nice original one alone.
Delete(There's a guy in the neighborhood who's grafted a G-body 442 snout on a 5th Gen El Camino and it's ridiculously cool.)