The Best of Both Worlds

Modern Rodding FEATURE

InTheGarageMedia.com

Two for the Price of One: The Chevy El Camino

By Brian Brennan

Photography by John Jackson

T

he Chevrolet El Camino for all of its popularity was late coming to market and suffered through fits and starts. It was as early as 1952 that GM’s own Harley Earl suggested a “coupe pickup.” Yet the El Camino didn’t enter the market segment until 1959, two years after the Ford Ranchero, and then initially it lasted for only two seasons in 1959 and 1960. The El Camino began with the 1959-1960 years, followed by the 1964-1967s, the 1968-1972s, 1973-1977s, and 1978-1987s. It should be noted that 1959-1960 was based on the B-body platform. From 1964-1977 the El Camino was based on the Chevelle platform, while 1978-1987 was based in the G-body platform.

Based on the new-for-1959 Brookwood two-door station wagon, it benefited from the completely redesigned Chevrolet body style, outselling the Ranchero in 1959. It did have a distinct advantage over the new Brookwood and the sedan delivery alternative; the El Camino was available with any of the fullsized Chevrolet drivetrains and came in a single mid-level trim: the Bel Air. The original El Camino was also touted as the first Chevrolet “pickup” built with a steel rather than wood bed floor. Hidden beneath the bed was the floorpan from the two-door wagon, complete with foot wells. Among the V-8s offered there was the base 283 with a two- or four-barrel carb, then came a 348 with either a four-barrel or three two-barrel carb setup producing 355 hp, and then the rarest of all the 250- or 290hp 283 with Rochester Ramjet fuel injection.

Chevy El Camino seats and steering wheel interior view

Chevy El Camino bed of truck exterior view

Chevy El Camino gear shifter interior view

And that brings us to George Lange’s 1970 Chevy El Camino from Alloway’s Hot Rod Shop (AHRS). It features Chevrolet’s largest displacement and potent V-8 of the day—what appears to be an LS6 454 pumping 450 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque is really an outwardly nearly correct looking engine, but the “heartbeat” comes from a Jeff Taylor Performance–built big-block that sports stock exhaust manifolds run through 2-1/2-inch stainless tubing matched to a pair of Borla ProXS mufflers that is all neatly fabricated by Barillaro Speed Emporium. Other engine accessories include a Vintage Air Front Runner, Powermaster starter, a stock-appearing ignition with Taylor wires, and a Cooling Components electric fan partnered with a Walker radiator. The big-block is then bolted via an American Powertrain system, which includes a TREMEC TKO five-speed, a Centerforce clutch, and a GM flywheel. Once this power is gathered up it is sent back to a 4:11-packed 12-bolt rearend from GearFX Driveline.

Harnessing the powertrain is a stock frame with a Detroit Speed IFS, which includes the Wilwood Pro dropped spindles, JRi coilover shocks at the corners, and Wilwood calipers, hubs, and rotors in front and Chevy drums in back while Detroit Speed front and rear sway bars are positioned. Holding this potent chassis off the ground is a set of Super Sport wheels, not factory (although they look the part) but rather are custom made by Billet Specialties measuring 17×7 and 20×9.5 shod with Continental high-performance 235/45ZR17 and 275/45ZR20 rubber.

Chevy El Camino bumper and trunk rear view

What began as a grocery getter was turned into the heartthrob of the Chevelle world, an LS6 454 equipped and a cowl induction hood street machine, while retaining the remainder of the stock sheetmetal. AHRS once again showed their expertise in body- and paintwork covering the El Camino in PPG 9700 Black basecoat with 2002 clear.

Once again, another peek inside shows off plenty of the original OE look. However, upon closer inspection you realize that this “re-manufactured” big-block hot rod now sports SS bucket seats minus its original Naugahyde coverings replaced by beautiful black leather stitched by Steve Holcomb of Pro Auto Custom Interior. Holcomb also covered the floor with black Daytona Weave carpeting. Still giving the appearance of stock, the factory dash is furnished with Classic Instruments mechanically updated but original-looking gauges. Pulling all the electrics together is plenty of custom wiring from the busy hands at AHRS. The gennie column is now topped with a Lecarra three-spoke and leather-wrapped wheel showing off the Chevy factory horn button.

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