El Camino Reality Check

Steve examines a 1969 Chevy El Camino with a special emphasis on what makes a Chevy 307 different from a Chevy 302. And could you really order dual exhaust on any V8? Watch and see…

[@vortechtruck]

Thank you very much for this one Steve. My best friend Lew ( R.I.P. ) Had one of these that he bought in Florida in 1971 or 2 while he was in the Air Force. I have no Idea how many times he drove it across the country from Florida to Colorado, Washington State, and Wyoming. He LOVED that car so much he never let it go. It is the 350 and TH350 auto. 12 bolt posi from the factory. He was a body and paint guy but he also built a 400 SBC that would let the smoke out of the tires really well. He was in the process of replacing the quarter panels and had the engine out of it when he got sick. So it lay under a car cover and tarps for a few years. Upon his passing, His wife told me that he had insisted I have his beloved El Camino. So it now sits in my driveway under a car cover. I did build up a 350 and put in it but it must sit on the sidelines until I get my wife's 1961 Cadillac painted and on the road. ( getting closer to that goal ). Anyway thanks again for all your knowledge and presentations. Miss my friend, but I will try to fix up his El Camino to his exacting standards.

[@jamesplotkin4674]

Soon as I saw he left it to you, my damn allergies kicked in.

[@ralphharrison6622]

best of luck on your el camino! nothing better than a car with a story behind it.

[@vortechtruck]

@@ralphharrison6622 Thank you. And yes cars with stories are the best,

[@frogwizard5637]

My one and only muscle car was a 69 El Camino. I bought it in 88-89 from a classic car dealer in the town of Arundel, Maine. It was red with a black vinyl top/black interior. It had a tired 350 with headers that I did eventually have rebuilt 30 over and a th350 trans. I ended up getting laid off from work and owing my folks money so I gave it to them and that was the end of my muscle car days.

[@ralphharrison6622]

they are expensive, but fun

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Sorry you had to give it up . From Mr. B !

[@haljohnson5729]

My uncle who always bought new el caminos had a 69 396 automatic. My emerging inner car guy thought it was a cool car. I still recall the details.

[@tjw8t1]

One of the best things about Steve's videos is what the automatic captions think when he says his last name. This one is Steve Minaj 🤣

[@johnds6621]

so cool you could hand pick your options unlike the packaged options these days. I was able to do that with my 1987 chevy truck. I had 'the book" and knew more about the available options then the dealer salesman. Oh the good old days when you could order the swing away tissue box. LOL

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you soon

[@googleusergp]

No VIN can't win, but it might be something: like 1 for Chevrolet, 36 for Malibu V8, 80 for pickup delivery body style, 9 for 1969 model year, possible K for Leeds, MO assembly, B for Baltimore, MD assembly, G for Framingham, MA assembly (more likely given it's a New England vehicle), Z for Fremont, CA assembly, 1 for Oshawa, Ontario Canada assembly, or A for Lakewood Heights (Atlanta), GA assembly and the rest is the production sequence. No tag, can't brag but might go something like: ST69 for 1969 model year, 13680 for V8 El Camino, K, G, Z, OSH, ATL, etc. for the plant assembly code, then a 750 type code for black interior trim, 50L 50U for Dover White lower and upper exterior paint, some sort of date assembly code expressed as a month and a week of that month, and some possible accessory codes, which are unknown without the tag.

[@ccpgmike620]

Multiple references to the extensive Chevy options list reminds me of best friend in high school Parents were buying him a car. The only stipulation was it had to be a 4 door… so he could take his nonna wherever she need to go. We’ll we spec’d out a 4 door Malibu. 350 4 barrel turbo 300 rally wheels posi dual exhaust etc Quite the sleeper

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

Wasn't there a Nova police package that amounted to being a four-door Z/28?

[@jerrycraig6522]

I had a 1970 ranchero, I loved that car, it wasn't fast but a sweet driver, it was a real nice car, drove like a dream!!!

[@sped6954]

My very first car that I bought on my own, with my own cash, no help from my parents was a '69 El Camino. I loved that thing, although I suddenly had "friends" that I never even knew existed, but I think that's true for many people who have a pick up, or a pick up style truck, or station wagon as it were. I paid $1,000 for it back in '88, maybe '89. It was a 4bbl 350 with headers, TH350 column shift automatic, it had the 350 emblems on the fender, I want to say at the side marker surrounds, but for whatever reason, someone put an SS hood on it. Over the course of time that I had it, I went on a chrome goodies shopping spree, and after replacing the points and condenser once and it needing another set within a year, I upgraded it to a stock HEI distributor and I never took the distributor cap off again. I never checked to see what the original color was, but it had a tanish, goldish, copperish interior. There was no carpeting in it, but everything else was there, in good condition, bench seat, no tears or fallen out stitching. The exterior was in light gray primer when I bought it. It originally had a vinyl top, but it was gone before I got it and it was sanded smooth and all traces of the adhesive had been removed. I guess the previous owner was going to have it painted and had started restoring it, but ran out of money and had to part ways with it. After he realized it wasn't going to happen, he installed all the exterior chrome, which was all there and looked reasonably new. One of the first things I did was remove all the chrome around the roof for the vinyl top and the top of the windshield, sanded everything down again and gave it a nice, clean and smooth surface to work with. Then I masked it off and hit it with a couple layers of black primer, allowed it to dry for a couple days, then I hit it with a few coats of rattle can matte black. I allowed that to dry, made sure it was what I was looking for, then I reinstalled all the chrome trim, and drove it as my every day transportation for several years. Some other time shortly after I bought it, I decided that there was no way I was going to be able to live with the 14×6 or 7, whichever width they were, tires and wheels, so I found a set of 15×7 rally wheels, caps and rings for it, bought it a new set of tires, and life was perfect. I don't remember why I sold it, or exactly when, but I almost immediately regretted that decision, and I still do to this day, almost 30 years later. I don't remember there being anything majorly wrong with it though, so I really can't think of any good reason why I would have sold it and moved on.

[@b.s.adventures9421]

I had a pretty cool 69 elco back in the late 90s. Hot little old school build 283 someone else put in. Stock Muncie M21 Limited slip 10 bolt with 3:36 gears. No trim. No vinyl top. No radio. No extra gauges. No power anything. I thought I’d was pretty cool as a stripper model with a few perfect mods. It was pretty quick for what it was. It would pull half a car on a 4th gen SS Camaro or Trans am. I pulled on a typhoon from a roll one night. He was smoking me from a dig. It would mop the floor with 5.0 mustangs, (I had one at the same time). Fun car. Dropped a valve doing a 7200 rpm burnout for distance. Made a real mess of that sweet little 283. Cracked a cylinder wall. Trashed that piston and head. Real bummer. Sold the whole car for less than the Muncie would go for now.

[@jamesviehmann4291]

My Buddy Shawn (God rest his soul) traded a 60 Chevy sport coupe for a a 68 El Camino in 1980. The 60 was clean other than the typical X frame massive floorboard rot but, he thought it was a great idea to trade for this El Camino straight up... Well... It wasn't! Anyone with a set of eyeballs could have seen that this thing had "Stay the hell away from me" written all over it!!! The El Camino was a 307 2V with a three on the tree that had been converted over to an Indy "Jam-O-Matic floor shifter. It had a hole in the floor that looked like it was hacked in with a dull bush axe. Street signs for floor pans, gold shag carpeting and a old Grant GT gold flake 3 spoke wheel with the sought after "short to ground" horn button option. The body was painted white to hide all the bondo that had been put on with a snow shovel and shaped to contour with a chain saw. The only original body panel (None of which were white originally) was the bed/roof section. The wedge shaped "Starsky and Hutch" dark blue stripe on the side was a nice styling addition to draw your attention away from the "Awesome Sauce" body work! The engine loped like it had a cam in it but it was really the worn out cam lobes with its concave lifters performing the magic! The worn out timing chain that was slapping the cover also helped to give her that whopin 10 in-hg of fluctuating vacuum at idle... She was a beauty alright! He had it for a month when he popped the clutch around a corner to do a one wheel peel, sadly he caught some oil on the road and fishtailed the rear into a curb.. That was its best and last display of performance for the old gal... The impact tore the upper control arm mounts out of that "Totally Rotted" fully boxed frame that Steve mentioned. We quickly found out that you cant find that frame hardly anywhere for a decent price and this was in 1980! So.... It was traded for an equally rusty bondo bucket 73 ford F-250 pick-up... But that is another story my friends! Love the channel Steve! Keep em coming!

[@shaggydogg630]

That’s a great story. Reminds me of my youth.

[@jamesviehmann4291]

@@shaggydogg630 Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

[@jamesviehmann4291]

@@kurtlamprecht93 It kept you reading to the end prompted you to comment Kurt so, it could not have been that insanely long and ultimately uninteresting. Thanks for for your input. 👍

[@theobsoleteman7935]

@@kurtlamprecht93 Bullshit that story was great. 🤣😂

[@vortechtruck]

R.I.P. Shawn. May peace be with you James for the loss of your friend. We shall see them all again on the other side.

[@blackbuttecruizr]

I had a 77 with a 400 small block, the original owner had it equipped from the factory with an upgraded rear end and TH400 and the heavy duty cooling system. He apparently intended to pull a horse trailer with it, but never did.

[@peters8758]

Re: that boxed frame... My dad was an inspector for H.D. (they had a frame contract for GM). On the B-size vehicles, some frames were C shaped, some were boxed, some were .087 inch steel (6-cyl Chevelle), some were .225 inch (Grand Prix). When ordering a premium engine or sub-model, suspension parts and even the frame got upgraded with that line item. Dropping a 396 in where a 283 used to exist was not the same as scoring an original big-block SS specimen. As for his inspections, he'd write up a whole shift produced with an assembly hole (or 2) missing, but they got shipped regardless. It was cheaper to send a couple of guys to the assembly plant with drills and locator jigs to manually drill the holes in each frame (5 or 6 traincar loads) when they got to the plant in Kansas City or Pontiac MI (outside in January) than it was to stop the whole frame line until a broken hole punch got replaced. What a job!

[@1967davethewave]

The old "unloved" 307. My best friend had a 69 Chevy P/U in high school back in the mid 80's. It was a 307with a power glide. He pulled the engine, got a forged engine kit from P.A.W. (all the old guys will know exactly what I'm talking about) and rebuilt the 307 along with an Isky cam and a Torker intake and Holley 650. He also changed to a TH350. Believe it or not he gave 5.0 Mustangs, Z28's and Trans Ams from that era fits. He could beat most of them from stop light to stop light. It surprised all of us who thought they were just boat anchors. But a small block Chevy is always a small block Chevy and will respond to better parts.

[@scoobyroorogers]

Awww.... P.A.W. I remember back then always seeing their ad in the car "mags". Thanks for the reminder I had forgot about them.

[@1967davethewave]

@@scoobyroorogers I found one their old phone book sized speed catalogs a few months ago in a box full of parts in my shed. Unfortunately it had some water damage. But it was still a blast to browse through. Steel crank rotating assembly, balanced with forged pistons for a 440 Mopar, $450.00. Those were the days!!!

[@donmears4090]

I have a few old Hot Rod and Car Craft magazines with those ads.

[@LuciFeric137]

Buddy had a built big block 69 Elco. Wed let the gate down, put about 80 lbs of sand bags, and it would lift the front tires off the ground.

[@ryansoltess6006]

Nothing wrong with the 307 . Had one in an '72 Nova with headers & turbo mufflers . Fun little car.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

307 with 283 bore x 327 crank...

[@born_again_torinos]

Steve...buddy...please go on vacation again so we can watch your videos of beautiful cars while you are gone.

[@myexescallmetictac8297]

Steve out here working harder than any TikTok influencer to date.

[@joeparson9967]

Thanks for another great video Steve, learned a couple things this morning. I miss my 76’ GMC Sprint I owned years ago.

[@SteveMagnante]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@buellrod]

Thank you for explaining the difference between the 307 and 302 I knew some of the differences but not all of what you said

[@ronkuzyk3836]

The 307 was a 283 block with a 327 crank. The 302 was a 327 block with a 283 crank.

[@DanEBoyd]

I'd still like to see a 302 dyno tested, and then its heads, cam, manifolds, and carb, all swapped onto a 307, for another test, to see how they compare.

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

They would STILL sell if they were made today, throw in a 5.7 and off you go.

[@madmike2624]

Great video Steve! Your knowledge and dedication to this channel is exceptional!!!

[@rubensalcido5606]

I had a 68 and 72 El Camino great vehicles to own!

[@spankyham9607]

Fun thing about 307 is they can be bored over to whatever you want. Easily make a 327 with one. Another fun thing they are flat top pistons, so are 305's. Bolt on some ported 305 58CC heads from the 80's and they wake up nicely using nothing but junk yard parts, a cam and some hands on work.

[@russellalbertson1670]

As of this moment I note you are recovering from a severe health challenge. May I point out that I don't believe there is anyone out there besides you who has such a vast knowledge of virtually all phases of cars, highly interesting/fascinating bits of information to auto enthusiasts. I am sure I share may other's feeling wishing a continued speedy health recovery.

[@SteveMagnante]

@@russellalbertson1670 Hello Russell, thank you for your compliments and kind words. It has been just over one year since I contracted encephalitis from a tick, mosquito or Flea. Probably during a Junkyard Crawl. But I'm walking 2 to 4 miles every day and the mental fog that comes with encephalitis is slowly lifting. Doctors tell me "there is no finish line" when it comes to encephalitis recovery, it takes time. Anyhoo, thanks again for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@genogeno6643]

Clean looking bed rails

[@MicroSoftner]

Cant we sue the Dot of Transportation for rust repair? (Northeast)

[@garymckee448]

I never knew about the frame on those, I owned an 87 Conquistador with the 305 4 barrel. Thanks 👍

[@googleusergp]

Those were assembled in Mexico. Any El Camino or Caballero from 1985 onward were all assembled in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.

[@SteveMagnante]

Right on

[@garymckee448]

@@googleusergp From what I recall there was 88 manufactured in 1988 and the 87 l had was less than one thousand made.

[@googleusergp]

@@garymckee448 That's incorrect. There are no confirmed 1988 VIN El Caminos. Those that were rumored to be 1988 models have 1987 VIN numbers (10th digit of the VIN being an "H", 1988 would be a "J") and are 1987 model year vehicles. They were late sales in 1988, but were not 1988 models, they were 1987 models.

[@garymckee448]

@@googleusergp I got my information from an old Hot Rod magazine back when I bought the one I had in 2001 so I am going by what I read. Never really cared for it but it was in good condition and I gave six hundred for it because my former boss bought a new truck that year.

[@sandyman541]

I've owned several elcaminos ranging from a 70 to an 84 model. One of my most favorite vehicles I've ever owned. I'd gladly pay 3k for one now.

[@SteveMagnante]

Thanks for sharing!

[@OutlawMercenary]

you would be pretty fortunate to find one for 3k.......happy hunting.

[@sandyman541]

@@OutlawMercenary Steve mentioned that it was 2700 new in 69 plus a little for add ons....couldn't touch one for less than 6k nowadays in ok condition. I payed 500$ for my 70 model in great condition..but that was back in 85 lol

[@OutlawMercenary]

@@sandyman541 the 80's were good hunting times!!!

[@Bud88883]

Just wanted to let you know I really appreciate your efforts doing these videos in 90 degree plus weather. I live in Massachusetts I know how hot and humid it's been. Thanks again and keep up the great work it is appreciated man.

[@rickenbacker315]

Love my 71 El Camino.. It's a nice vehicle and Runs great! Great Video...

[@felixlafuente9714]

Steve, best wishes. Thank you for your great work...

[@GasserNorm]

Always look forward to your content Steve. Thank you.

[@jerrypalmer1370]

Convertibles had boxed frames too I had a 69 Cutlass convertible in high school

[@Dayandcounting]

A 307 is a stroked 283 they all got the little 2bbl. GM also used a large 2bb1 for larger V8's. It used the 327's stroke. The first 302's were L76 327, the Corvette fuelie engine with a 4bbl, and a 283 crank 2 bolt mains. In '68 the casting were machined like 350's with the medium journals and they got 4 bolt mains. Z/28 gets badges

[@jimholt1866]

They had to change something in the materials they cast the 307 heads out of because I used to do valve jobs in the shop of an auto parts store and did 283 and 327 heads all day long and never had any problems unless someone just intentionally tried to blow it up. But over 90% of the 307 heads that I got were cracked. So the metals had to be different mixtures, more of something or less of something than the mixture of the 283 and 327 heads.

[@IndridCool54]

My mom had a 1968 Chevy Nova with a 307 and a powerglide. It was a true muscle car… NOT! 😂 I always describe the 302/307 difference this way. The 302 is a 327 block with a 283 crankshaft and the 307 is a 283 block with a 327 crankshaft. I hope you’re doing better! Always thinking of you. 🙏🏼

[@cwie2968]

Keep em coming Steve

[@rosseganjr9402]

awesome find nothing like a classic el Camino!

[@artjones2498]

Steve man slow down...catch your breath...you dont need to rush for us.....but as always thank you for a graet vid

[@SteveMagnante]

Working on it!

[@rollin19]

Haha he's a wealth of knowledge, He is literally one of few who actually care's about reading the vin and finding out what the car originally was equipped with. Most guys are just hot rodding these cars and not keeping them original.

[@shaggydogg630]

Man, these videos are addicting!

[@SuperScottJack]

Yes, vent windows were removed from the chevelle lineup for 69...however...lolol...still present on the Beaumont...just sayin...cuz you know how it is ...great vid as always, you have the crown as far as I'm concerned.

[@markbattista6857]

Morning Steve , Great review , many interesting fact 's most of which I had not been aware of . Keep up the great work . Mark Battista

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

My brother had one of those he bought used in 1976! He used it for his iron works business. He beat the hell out of it loading Wrought iron fences and some welding equipment. Great video Steve!😎👍

[@johnbehneman1546]

GREAT VIDEO STEVE!!!! THE PERFECT DAILY DRIVER. THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

[@SSV-i-c-e]

We always love a ute here down under quiet a few here in nz great video 🇳🇿

[@grabasandwich]

Steve Minaj 🤣 The captions will never get your name right

[@TheWodasi]

I LOVE El Camino - all years - i had mine for over 30 years - a 1973 - from 1980 to 2011- thanks Steve - keep the vids coming !

[@davidevans8826]

Absolutely love your knowledge you’re OK too ironic I look at this and I just purchased a 1972 GMC Sprint 350 four-speed unfortunately no engine or trans but I have those in my garage gather stuff out overtime I have the rallies purchase in a garage sale for 75 bucks for four with the centre caps and the rings pretty cool but yeah I love your show all your knowledge you’re a gift to mankind I got to say thanks for your time out there and I hope you didn’t lose too much weight keeps it centred bubble in the middle get it

[@shoominati23]

Come to Australia in late January if you think that is hot ! LOL

[@fastinradfordable]

Go to Massachusetts in Jan if u think u know what cold dark and rusty means

[@rondpert5167]

A friend had a '68 El Camino, and tried to use a Chevelle front fender but it did not fit. The length was different from the cowl to the grill.

[@b.s.adventures9421]

I think wagon and elco front clips were the same. Different than sedans and coupes.

[@chiplacey256]

I believe the frame was a convertible frame. Losing the roof would make it more prone to twisting. Also, your viewers would enjoy hearing about the hidden compartment in the bed.

[@SODAKFORD]

Thanks Steve when I purchased my Chevelle ahead of 307 and over the years local mechanic change the cam to a stock 302 cam with solid lifters. Did great one wheel burnouts.

[@ralphharrison6622]

i had 2 79 elcaminos, first had a whipped 305, thing was pretty much beat when i bought it. the 2nd had a tuned 350 4 bolt, slapped a ram air kit on it, lifted the rear, and wide cooper cobras. car was absolutely awesome! would love to have another one.

[@robtiger]

I knew someone that had one with a six cylinder engine. We called it La camina 😀

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

🤣

[@philly2x]

I had one of those. Was a factory 350 cid car with a th350.

[@mikewerner3797]

Omg I love how many different ways that Steve’s last name is pronounced by the caption generator. I chuckle every time. For example in this video it pronounced it as minaj😂😂😂

[@nickmasino]

I had a white 68 with a blue gut and a 307. The exact same car was on GMG.

[@ccg1171]

Love your knowledge of vehicles all types my neighbor up central mass/north.

[@jeffclark2725]

Great video thumbs 👍, Steve

[@donmears4090]

Looking back on automotive history the ability of Chevrolet to manufacture four engines of different cubic inch displacement using two bore and stroke dimensions is amazing. Ok, here we go, if you take the bore of the 283 and put it with the stroke of the 327 you get a 307, if you take the stroke of the 283 and put it with the bore of a 327 you get a 302 and if you put the bore of the 307 and put it with the stroke of the 302 you get a 283. And Oh yea before I forget, Who's on first?

[@mromatic17]

i would love to look through steve’s collection of old magazeens and dealer only training books! I thought I knew a lot about old cars but he makes me look like a tesla buyer! He might be my long lost dad cuz i’m nothing like my dad!

[@kc0lif]

always liked 1968-69 generation el camino.

[@marcellashirk8676]

Thanks for the grind

[@SteveMagnante]

Any time

[@davidciesielski8251]

Wow!! You know so much....thanks

[@mechanicman8687]

I’m building a 68 el Camino right now. Vortec 350 modified. All kinds of new stuff.

[@robertheadley8561]

Once again excellent content Thank you

[@SteveMagnante]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stevejohnson1321]

1969 I was listening to WROR on my then-new FM radio. What a great mix, I thought, not realizing it was one of the first area stations run by robot.

[@TrashcanGarage]

Thanks for another great episode. I really enjoy your delivery. You've done this "tv" stuff before haven't you. 😁

[@aliassmithandjones9453]

finally you featured a car I actually own! I bought my SS 396 in 1982 for $1,100. It has the 350 hp engine and 12 bolt posi. However the factory rally wheels are the 5 spoke style not the corvette style

[@Jupitermustangmike]

I like Bilbobaggins and beans automotive Steepz!

[@garyspaun5237]

Great video thank you.

[@rollin19]

I have one of the 69's with the 250 inline six,only 700 of them made. According to value anything with a 6 in it automatically makes worth less than an 8 cylinder. After so many years literally most of them had the 6 taken out and replaced with an 8 and since so many never cared,they dont care to run the vin to see if it in fact was a 6 car. With that being said alot of these guys have ruined the original cars for the soul fact of having a hopped up one. Now it's pretty special to come across a 230 or 250 inline 6 in a nova camaro chevelle or elcamino. Many of which just like the look of the classic car or truck,but not so much it's history or it's originality. Hot rodding ruined the orignality of these cars and now so many are just cookie cutter v8's or clones,there's nothing wrong with a Malibu non ss car with a the original 307. Each car was special ordered whihc many were low production,keep it orignal if you want something different. If you do end up getting a 6 cyclinder car,dont change the engine and keep it original!!

[@Mr.XJ.96]

We restored a 68 a few years ago. It originally had the inline 6 with a three on the tree. We made a SS clone out of that one with a 396 Muncie 4speed. We just finished a 68 True SS car this winter. It also has a 396 4speed factory Garnet Red with white racing stripes. Bucket seats and Factory A/c Shes for sale we are in Western Pa. The car retains all its original Sheet metal as well. I didnt like Elcos until now...I call them Mullet Mobiles.

[@gulfy09]

When you're 19 years old and you get a 69 charger with a 318 you want power lots of power nobody thinking ahead

[@suzi_mai]

I have a zero option 79 elcamino, with the 200 v6 and 3 speed floor shift trans. Clear windows, radio delete, heat only, crank windows, a truly rare thing in my city Singapore. It has 48,000 km showing. I intend to leave it as built.

[@AZ-JKUR-HR]

Sounds sweet! We run around a 67 Firebird with an ohc6! And you know how many people stop and scratch their head! I also see a late 60's Impala running around with a I6 stick with no power anything!!! Love it!

[@joesmith3908]

My first car was a 79 Camaro 250 ci 3 speed manual floor shifter car. I loved that car but man it wouldn’t get outta its own way

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

I would have thought the 70 would have been the most popular

[@bobroberts2371]

4:32 I'm pretty sure the wheel / hubcap in the drivers side is from a 69 ish Datsun ( maybe Toyota ) pickup.

[@RedFox3226]

Really enjoy all your videos Steve. Thanks.

[@davebarron5939]

Always loved these however, one strange thing I found seated at the drivers position, the steering wheel always seemed slightly to one side of the drivers seat, very strange feeling.

[@tony66au]

Got to love and appreciate a Good Ute, Cultural Icon in Aus and also used by Tradies and Concrete Cowboys :-D Because The Ute was a fairly Aussie thing every one of the major Auto manufacturers made them from the 1930's to the demise of Aussie manufacturing a few years ago. I've had a few over the years from GM-Holden, Ford and of course Chrysler and I still have both a 1971 VG Ute and Sedan (Think Dodge Dart 67-69 ish A body). Incredibly handy things.

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

I had a 71 Malibu, 250 with a powerglide

[@jasonz7788]

Awesome thanks 👍

[@jamespetersen3933]

I like. Keep on crawling!

[@christopherprince3250]

Love all your videos Steve

[@weekendgarage3299]

Good stuff!

[@mandiharjala1161]

Yeah but look at that Dodge Daytona over there.... Yeah baby!

[@brandonlee8400]

what a beauty

[@88SC]

Chevrolet engineering played around with stroked 283s in the late 1950s in several of the “factory” Corvette race cars. According to one of the books. In other words, 307s. But they had machine shop resources that made procuring that sort hardware easy. But lots of hot rodders and drag racers built “302s” by boring 283s .125 over and stuffing them with forged domed pistons and other available performance stuff. Those severely bored 283s were usually referred to as “301s” back in the day.

[@DavesDrivesGarage]

Proud owner of my '68. She rips

[@DIGGER19860]

its pretty crazy that you can watch steve melt in real time

[@PelicanIslandLabs]

How else was waiting for the hood to slam down on his hands? 🤣

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

Might also be a 327, also the 396 had the humped SS hood.

[@BSWThunder6]

My buddy had a 1970 350 non SS Oshawa built 4 speed El Camino. Bought it from a former line worker at Oshawa. Sold it this year as he is retiring. Steve the RUST in Massachusetts is nuclear... Even worse than Ontario and they love to throw the salt here.

[@elcomansevenduece]

10 or 12 bolt? We don't know what's under this. I didn't bring a weed eater with me, and I'll pass on the ticks and snakes. Also the rear end is still in this thing, so probably open 10 bolt. I hear ya Steve.

[@MS3DALE]

LOL, Good ol' Steve, he loves his 12 bolts!

[@Mr.XJ.96]

We just finished a 68 SS 396 4Speed Garnet Red Bucket Seats Factory A/C car. Its for sale too.....

[@gman77gas]

She would buff out !

[@rollin19]

You'd be surpised in 2 weeks doing body work everyday would make that car look like.

[@c3dk]

I have a 69 Chevelle, 2 door, 307/TH350 It's a project, and it will need a lot of work, but nowhere near this :- )

[@dandrane1251]

A friend had a '71 SS454 El Camino.

[@scottbogfoot]

Is there any vinyl roof cars being sold today? I don't think maybach even do a covered roof anymore.

[@thedelawareranch2379]

Guys always dogged a 307 but I had a few in my time and they ran great I actually used a 307 Chevy in a Toyota pickup I had years ago when my 283 had issues then later on it got the famous 350

[@Ron_Lockwood]

Be well ❤

[@ChristopherOvrebo]

I bought one of these about 10 years ago for $1800 thinking I could flip it and all I got were people wanting to talk about how they used to have one. I finally got rid of it for less than $2500, so with the parts I had into it I think it was a wash or I lost a little

[@ccg1171]

Are people allowed to visit this yard to view for any type of purchases?