El Slamino

A 1971 Chevy El Camino puzzles Steve with SS traits. But is it really a Super Sport or a “bitsa this, bitsa that” mash up? Also, Steve explains why the El Camino has more in common with Chevelle station wagons than Chevelle Malibu coupes

[@haljohnson5729]

I had an uncle that always drove El Caminos. He always ordered with the "biggest motor I could get" I can remember when I really got into cars that he had big block El Caminos until the 80s.

[@TomTom-qm4mq]

That's the way to do it. That's what I would have done.give me the biggest engine and all the rare options. If your gonna buy a car then BUY A CAR!!!

[@driedbrainfreeze2149]

My first boss had one with a 454. It was a beast

[@dougjenks6954]

Had a 70 396 for sale in Maine I dreamed of buying it

[@grizzly766]

Tire smoking beasts

[@tedecker3792]

Buy a SS396 elCamino and joined the rear tires of the month club.

[@Sebastian_Dinwiddie]

Thank you for removing the needles from the car. it does nothing I know but makes me feel just a tiny bit better.

[@Sidewinder1999]

This one almost looks worth saving. Could make a nice driver out of it.

[@oops1952]

I drove school bus for years.....and I still enjoyed this, inspite of the background. Boy are you good Steve!!!

[@danscott3880]

Yea. Im an active District school bus driver. I believe those buses are Bluebirds.. Probably stick

[@googleusergp]

I give you credit for driving a "brat box" all of those years. Someone had to do it. LOL.

[@BarryWilkinson]

@@danscott3880 One is a Blue Bird the other three are Superior Coach.

[@DanEBoyd]

@@BarryWilkinson Those split corner windows in the rear scream Superior.

[@BarryWilkinson]

They are @@DanEBoyd I've always liked that wrap around window look.

[@DeadInsideButStillSmiling]

That Ellie is easily a builder. Being a Ford lover I of course prefer the Ranchero, but I've always had a soft spot for El Comino's.

[@sergiohenriquez2379]

The one I love the 72 ranchero gt beautiful I love to have one maybe one Day 👍

[@vettekid3326]

I had a 1971 El Camino that was red with a white vinyl roof I bought in 1976. Originally it was a 350 two barrel automatic but when the trans went bad I had a four speed laying around so I converted it over and added a stock GM quadrajet setup that I had swapped out from my'75 Camaro. Crager SS's all around with L 60 Goodyear GT's on the back and the obligatory Gabrial Hyjackers on the rear so the L 60's would clear.

[@scoobyroorogers]

Awesome!! I haven't heard the name " Gabriel Highjackers" or thought about the rabbit decal that adorned all "gearhead rides" back then. Thank You for that .

[@sandyman541]

I absolutly loved Elcaminos. Owned quite a few ranging from a 70 to my last one an 84. I miss everyone of them.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Yes, they are really cool!!

[@buff6637]

Thanks Steve! Just sold my 72! Originally 350 2 brl 3 spd column shift...sold it as a 427 /4spd / 3.55 12 bolt...Sold it to a good friend! Now I wish I had it back....lmao..

[@carwashadamcooper1538]

I hope you made the "if you ever want to get rid of it" deal.

[@buff6637]

@@carwashadamcooper1538 Yes!!...lol

[@tony-ps4qw]

Those round gauges with woodgrain finish were found on monte carlos of the era and could be transplanted in any chevelle/el camino to give it the SS look

[@moneypitmustangbrian3934]

That’s is what I was thinking. I wonder if that wood grain appliqué was transferred from a Monte Carlo or the entire round gage instrument panel?

[@2005portensie]

@@moneypitmustangbrian3934 I'm leaning heavily towards a transplant. Non SS Chevelles, or Malibus didn't have round gauges. They had a long rectangular speedometer. And the round SS gauges had textured finish.

[@wizard5637]

My one and only muscle car was a 69 El Camino back in 89. Had to get the tired 350 in it rebuilt but it was a sharp looking car. Red with a black vinyl top.

[@Mr.XJ.96]

We have a 68 SS 396 4speed we just finished and shes for sale. Garnet Red with white Racing stripes. Everythings new and freshly restored.

[@Jeffery5189]

@@Mr.XJ.96 How much?

[@Mr.XJ.96]

@@Jeffery5189 25k

[@TomTom-qm4mq]

@@Mr.XJ.96 not bad for a finished car. Elcamino was a car people loved or hated. I loved them

[@Mr.XJ.96]

@@TomTom-qm4mq i hate em lol....Mullet mobile's.

[@mariocourchesne2245]

Hi Steve, I had 3 El Camino's in my life. '71, '81, '84. they all had access from the inside to the space you mention in your video. That was where the spare was mounted for '78-'87

[@adailyllama4786]

I really enjoy these salvage yard walks and the history. Many thanks.

[@chadschneider6044]

Steve, love the channel man. Keep up the good work. No matter what you find in the junk yards. How you present the material on the cars and how you go over it makes it gold.

[@michaelguinn5736]

Afternoon Steve, as with all of your videos, I learned something

[@tpetry1303]

Almost looks salvageable

[@carwashadamcooper1538]

definitely salvageable. looks like about 18 grand and three years, but it could be done.

[@cureforsale]

Thanks again Steve. Hopefully you had a great 4th. Stay hydrated and watch for critters!

[@loopwithers]

Award deserved for Valor in the Field. Can we do this for him?

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you back in the Junkyard soon

[@garyspitzervoiceoversproje6537]

Looks like the gauges came from a Monte Carlo because of the wood grain.

[@abdulabdanahib9617]

I come home from work and Steve is already making me happy with a new video

[@WhiteKnightCutlass]

My dad had a 72 factory SS 454 4sp, red with black SS stripes, loved that car

[@maineiacman]

Do some of those buses sometime. I know you did an old one but those slightly newer ones would be cool too.

[@rctopfueler2841]

ive owned 2 a 65 farmer special 3 on tree 250 6 cyl manual everything and a 67 327 th350 ,i miss them dearly 67 my favorite

[@jimbos3421]

Someone who wanted a SS vibe, very well put!

[@johnbehneman1546]

Great video Steve !!!! The perfect daily driver. Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@tomkreller1204]

I knew a Mennonite who strayed away from the family and ordered a new 1969 impala 427 4 speed. But he didn't want any badging to say it was a SS or impala emblems. Neat car.

[@michaeltessanne9108]

Love all your videos man great job and love the knowledge

[@johnprager7804]

Love your videos Steve Keep it up!!

[@billybike57]

When I was a kid growing up in Wyoming, there was a guy that had a triple black 71 SS El Camino, big block 4 speed it had the cowl induction hood. I thought at the time it was the coolest car I’d ever seen. I later got to know him as we worked in the same chemical manufacturing plant, it was cool to find out about him. Thanks for the memories George!

[@themanfromphoto]

Forget the El Camino, the 3 Superior school buses in the back are beautiful. Those mid 60's Superiors were nicely designed. Our driver would let us shift the big ol' shift lever as he was driving. Learned all about clutches and shift patters from that dude in 1966.

[@scoobyroorogers]

Now that was Cool bus driver!!

[@bodgiesteve8849]

G'day, greetings from Australia, and thanks for another great video. The 'Coupe Utility', and pickup truck should not be confused. The 'Ute' is based on a sedan/station wagon platform. The Ute features a one piece quarter panel, from tail tight to door. It,s actually a coupe, with a tonneau rear section. This explains why they became the Australian trades mans sports car. Even most Australians call pickup trucks utes, even Fords last Falcon utes, were really cab/chassis pickups with a bolt on tonneau, but try to explain the difference, and people get aggressive. Same with Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Amarock, whoever makes them .

[@fastinradfordable]

Is a rabbit pickup a ‘Ute’ ?

[@bodgiesteve8849]

@@fastinradfordable have no idea what a rabbit is. VW Golf? Maybe, could be. One piece body, from tail light to cowl.

[@TomTom-qm4mq]

In different places in the world they have different names for the same things. I herd in Australia they dont have the federal emissions and still build good looking muscle cars. Not like here in america. I seen the Australian muscle cars and I'm kind of envoys of what you have. We dont have those here.

[@chuckp8705]

Thanks for the explanation. I didn't realize the difference. "People get agressive", yeah, that happens everywhere it seems.

[@bodgiesteve8849]

@@TomTom-qm4mq we definitely have federal emissions, generally based on European logic. The latter model muscle cars used American engines ,but that's all gone now,

[@mcdonaldm73]

Gotta love that old school Pioneer High Power Cassette Deck! Had one just like it!

[@felixlafuente9714]

Steve, thank you! Great work!

[@JHC4949]

Steve, HEI was optional starting in 1971. I learned that in summer of 1970 attending a new product class when I worked a Pontiac Dealership...

[@sgtrock6213]

Thank you Steve for keeping it real...

[@kbtruck65blair64]

That looks good enough to save. Thanks Steve

[@jamessimpson2674]

Nice job Steve. Love your work 👍🇦🇺

[@jamesswingle3411]

Meets my standards, the video, that is, excellent commentary.

[@1979royalknight]

The compartment under the front of the bed cover is not the rear passenger foot well. it is the the area that would be under the rear seat cushion. the rear foot well is right behind the front seat in the cab.

[@Antrell]

Nice! I had '72, '71 and '70 El Camino and there is '70 El Camino about to ship to Finland that has my name on it!

[@mikebrown8065]

In 1971, GMC joined the "ute" game with the GMC Sprint. It basically looks like the Elcamino but has the GMC and Sprint badges. And like the Elcamino SS, the GMC Sprint had the "SP" package available. The GMC engine line was called the "Invader", 350,400,454,etc. A lot of the GMC Sprints had their badges removed to look more like an Elcamino by some of their owners. The easiest way to distinguish the GMC Sprint from the Elcamino is by the first didgit of the VIN . If it begins with a "1" it's a Chevrolet Elcamino. If it starts with a "5" it's a GMC Sprint. By 1972, the engine was incorporated into the VIN #'s 5th digit as a letter. For example my SS454 Elcamino (and others) are 1D80W2..... 1= Chevrolet Motor Division D= Elcamino Sport Pickup 80= Elcamino Custom W= 454 c.i.d. U= 402 c.i.d. 2= the year Once again, if the first digit is a "5" it's a GMC Sprint. In December of 1971, the LS-6 option was canceled. BUT, 14 A-body vehicles (Chevelle, Elcamino, Monte Carlo, GMC Sprint) were made. There is no documentation on which ones were made of the 14. So far we have 1 GMC Sprint SP registered with #'s matching original. On this 1971 Steve kindly showed us, the dash is clearly from a Monte Carlo. The giveaway is the simulated wood grain inlay. It only came in the Monte Carlo. If you watch the Hubcap game Steve aired (and I absolutely love, can't wait for the next one) he shows a particular Hubcap that the center has tabs bent over to hold it in place. This is the same way that the woodgrain inlay is secured th the dash. I've seen people remove the woodgrain from the dash to make it look like a true SS dash. 2 giveaways are: 1) if you look closely you can see the "holes" or "slots" in the dashboard where the inlay once was. 2) the outlines around the gauges are not chrome. True SS dashboards have chrome "rings around the gauges and the outer edge of the dash. Another thing that is a giveaway for looking at an SS is the lower mouldings running along the lower body lines. They are not going to be on an SS. There are a lot of "clones" out there that people try to pass as the real thing. So unfortunately, buyers must be aware so they don't get ripped off. I hope this helps.

[@dannyschoolcraft5984]

Good info! I remember seeing a GMC Spint in the 70's. It was a light lime color with a white fiberglass topper over the bed. Only one I ever seen. It was a 72. Sit on the street in subdivision of a friend when I was 16. My one friend had a 71 350 Malibu. It had the hood as the one shown with the slight hump. It was actually a 350 Malibu. It was badged that way between the front tire and door on the fender. It was 4 bbl. Auto. Now I realize how rare it was also.

[@wadecaton4017]

Learned to drive in a '68. Dad also had a '71&73. I myself had an '82. All with 350cid except the 82. 305 in it.

[@TheGeonam]

I had an El Comino back in the day when hunting pheasants and using a shotgun wouldn't have a SWAT team called on you! The area behind the driver's side had access to the bottom side of the trucks bed. When we would get are limit of birds, we would stash them in that area and continue hunting. We didn't want the game warden finding us over our limit. The rear wheel was called a Rally Wheel with a center cap and trim ring.

[@chrishoward4546]

Very nicely done steve thank you sir!!!

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

Owner of 4 el Caminos. two 64's (one for strictly drag racing), a 68 w/built 327 (my favorite) and a 72.

[@chrispaulson2934]

Nice el camino collection! Got a 64 as well and enjoy driving it regularly lol!!

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

@@chrispaulson2934 the second 64, was deemed to be scrapped. Owner was involved in a DUI and glanced off a pole. I couldn't drive it on the street, but could use for legal drag racing. Father-in-law had an old Hemi that he never got around to doing anything with. Scary but a fun project and a good race car, as long as you didn't turn to sharp.

[@chrispaulson2934]

@@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561 sad to hear about it being involved in a DUI, but glad to hear it's new lease on life. Sounds like it's scary fast! Mine is a mild 327 with a th400 out of a 67 impala. Heads are 1963. Went Atomic Efi Throttle body. The drivability is nice..but I still favor the holley single feed 4 bbl 670cfm I had on it before.

[@kc0lif]

my favourite generation of el camino. column shift is best floor mounted shifters get in way

[@martywilkinson6722]

My dad loved El Caminos. He owned a few over the years. I learned to drive in an 80's El Caballero, the GMC version. Good stuff Steve!

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

The Sprints are fun to see when you find them

[@rsprockets7846]

drove a new 72 sprint from GMC dealer but could not swing the down payment

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man those where all over the place in the 70s! I’ve seen them converted into 4x4 monsters!👌😂👍

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

I had an HEIÎ. It solved so many problems related to points

[@dandrane1251]

A friend in the mid-70s had a '71 El Camino SS454.

[@colmornane5684]

Hi Steve, Your videos are very interesting and entertaining, the reason for my subscription. I was about to start typing feverously, when you acknowledged the ute's origins here in Australia, so well done to you for that inclusion. It helps keep these things in historic perspective and in my mind, keeps you a cut above the rest of those people doing a similar thing on KZbin. Again well done on an excellent presentation. Regards a fan from Aus.

[@kfm908]

I had a 68 Ford ranchero(Torino,Fairlane style).These things are a great idea

[@twinchantillytiffanysbenny8852]

I have a ‘79 ranchero. And it’s off the LTD platform, the wagon to be exact. So that space behind the seat is a spare tire well.

[@christopherdaly9718]

Aussie here & point of order. The first "Utility" or Utes were made in 1924. The very first one appears to have been built on a 1924 Chevrolet passenger car chassis by Holden Body Builders. They also appear to have also built Ute bodies on 1924 Dodge chassis as well. [I had the remains of a 1926 Dodge Ute in mid 1970's] After all, their sole line of business was building bodies for National or State distributors of various car makes. These were "Roadster Utes" as these commercial vehicles were made to be affordable [cheap] It wasn't till 1934 when Ford Australia combined the front half of a Coupe body [first year of Coupe bodies for Ford in Aust] with the rear of their Roadster Ute to form the Coupe Utility that you seem to know about. So, the first [Roadster] Ute was, ... 1924, while first Coupe Ute was, ..... 1934. Roadster Utes were still offered by various car brands, including Ford, right up until the beginning of WW2. I owned a 1939 Plymouth Roadster Ute in the late 1970's

[@johnd8892]

Australian 1934 Ford roadster ute that got bought by an American around 1978 when Australians did not appreciate them enough : kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZKVhHl4bKaYnNU

[@calvincrews3885]

The Chevrolet El Camino was based on the Impala in 1959-60 and stop for 3 years and based on the Chevelle Malibu from 1964-87 along came the GMC Sprint and Caballero the other El Camino

[@dennisoneil3325]

On the Ranchero of the same era the rear footwells were accessible from behind the front seats making for extra in-cab storage.

[@dja1353]

I saw a “Rambelaro” for sale on Craigslist within this past year. It was converted from a 4 door wagon. Pretty good job.

[@markdavis9176]

Love the old Buick Talley wheels had 68 firebird with them

[@CR7659]

Car's not in bad shape for the rust belt.

[@scoobyroorogers]

Yep! Very true lol

[@lewismocaby3646]

Awesome video, still have my 72 ElCamino which was my first car. My parents bought it in 80 or 81 and It’s the car I remember growing up in. Parents bought a wrecked GMC Sprint for the rust free sheet metal in the mid 80’s so I ended up doing the body swap myself along with machining and rebuilding the drivetrain so I’d have a car when I turned 16. You mentioned the wagon shell,doors and chassis, that info is all correct. I had to find out the hard way that Chevelle/Malibu front fenders won’t interchange with the ElCamino/wagon body. The Chevelle has a style line from starting in the front fender that ends in the door,the Camino/wagon bodies don’t have that same body accent. Again, great video, just wanted to add that little bit of info for anyone who may need it. Keep up the great work.

[@tapeweight]

Thanks Steve

[@danielbock7562]

Got YA Steve😁😁 ford did some utes in the 30s to send to other countries😁😁 and actually Rancheros started IN 55 😁😁😁 keep UP the good work Bro😎😎😎

[@ianhotson6057]

I miss my 1978 El Camino, they were a vehicle you either love them or you hated them LOL my sister has a beautifully restored 1972 SS 454 Big Block El Camino, but for some silly reason she won't give it to me LOL

[@aliassmithandjones9453]

the footwell area is storage space accessible by tilting the driver's seat forward

[@brucejones7389]

Nice El Camino!

[@angeloavanti2538]

More lessons, more learning. Thanks.

[@Mr.XJ.96]

We just finished a Factory 68 SS 396 4speed Garnet Red with white Racing stripes this winter. We also have a 71 that we started just a base car with a 350 th400. Both are for sale. We are in western pa. Plus many many extra parts and two parts cars. Im located in Western Pa 35 miles North of Pittsburgh.

[@Blowinshiddup]

I loved the one on "My Name Is Earl"...so many shows had to have clean, new-looking cars. That one had a shady past...

[@rustedratchetgarage6788]

Steve you could access those rear foot Wells from behind the seats we had speaker boxes in my buddies El Camino

[@savedin87ify]

Always wanted one.

[@adamtrombino106]

That tilt and gauge package is worth $$

[@johnnersinger5075]

Someone should buy that car

[@sergiohenriquez2379]

If you let me the money 💰 I will 😅😂 yes joking 🙃👍

[@artgecko2645]

"Popular with single people." I love it.

[@user-neo71665]

On my dads elky that rear footwell you claim that wasnt used was where the factory spare tire and jack was stored.

[@Antrell]

And it is nicknamed as smugglers box!

[@CarCrazy12804]

One of my dream cars will ALWAYS be a 78 to 85 elcamino

[@TrashcanGarage]

All the makings of a project there. And that motor is really clean. Wonder if it still spins. 🤔

[@2005portensie]

I'm pretty positive that dash came out of a '70-'72 Monte Carlo. Other than the wood grain, the dashes in both the Monte Carlo, and Chevelle were identical.

[@RoyalMetal9]

Yup. My husband and I would pull and swap those Monte Carlo dashes regularly.

[@rsprockets7846]

dittto along with tilt column and disc brakes hood was 40 bucks new from dealer in 1973 I bought one...................should have bought 10 and make a fortune

[@RoyalMetal9]

@@rsprockets7846 Yes! The tilt columns we would swap as well. Should’ve collected more of those (and the Camaro ones) when they were still plentiful in the wreckers.

[@rsprockets7846]

@@RoyalMetal9 OUCH! TOOK OUT THREE elky and carlo dashes even stock ones demanded good bucks at swaps meets saved the rears and sway bars off the SS and GTOs of era to install in Chevelles..never scored a console or bucket seats but got a clutch/brake assy lurking someplace after 40 yrs or so

[@2005portensie]

@@rsprockets7846 that hood was probably from JC Whitney

[@lostallmymoney2082]

Love my Elky.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Steve, I hope you find a Malibu wagon some day.

[@willhorting5317]

I agree.👍 I would love to see him do one of these videos, on a mid-'70s Chevy Malibu station wagon. I once owned a 1974 Malibu station wagon. Although the wife hated it, I liked it.😁

[@mikebrown8065]

Being a 3rd gen Elcamino connoisseur (I've had and restored a lot of them, and I have a '72 SS454 Elcamino that I bought when I was 20) there are other things that people should know when looking for parts on either a Chevelle or Elcamino. 1st up is the hood and grill are interchangeable between the two. '68 & '69's the noses are the same. 1970 the fenders and fender extensions are different between the two. The same goes for the '71-72's. The headlight trim rings are also interchangeable, BUT the parking light lenses and trim rings are different on '71- '72's between the Chevelle and the Elcamino. The Chevelle Wagon is the same as the Elcamino; hence the nose on a wagon will fit onto the Elcamino but not properly on a Chevelle in 1970-1972. The Chevelle's parking light and bezels in '71-72 are smaller than the Station wagon and Elcamino. The "bulge" on the sides of the fenders on a wagon and Elcamino carry over from the '68-'69. With that said, you can use the complete '68-'69 Chevelle or Elcamino or wagon nose (including the radiator support) on a '70-'72 Elcamino and the body lines would match up perfectly. But even though they use the same bolt holes and will bolt on, if you decided to put a '70-'72 nose from the Chevelle onto the Elcamino for instance you'd have a huge gap between the outside edges from the fenders to the doors. You'd actually see the door hinges looking down the side of the vehicle 🤣. I first learned this when I was a kid probably around 11 or 12 years old. My best friend's dad had a 1969 Elcamino and he hit a deer 🦌 😳. The only nose he could find was from a 1972 Malibu. It bolted right on without any modifications, but it looked funny seeing the door hinges and the big ol gap in between the fenders and doors. So in a nutshell, 1970 fenders and fender extensions are specific to the Chevelle, but are interchangeable for the Wagon and Elcamino. The same thing applies to the '71&'72's. Once again, '68 & '69 are the same. I was told that it had something to do with a federal mandate that went into effect for 1970, but I haven't been able to confirm it. Also don't forget the ultra rare 1971-1972 GMC Sprint!!!

[@brucetibbetts5436]

I live not too far from Bernardston. May have to check it out

[@deanstevenson6527]

I love this Video. Our Aussie GM Holden extended subframe Utilities and full chassis One and Two Ton Pickups used Pontiac and Chevrolet's integrated subframe or full chassis, with George Roberts ex US Pontiac and early Nova frame kick dimensions.Great to see inside the hood ....."Magnified"

[@markp0752]

I had 3 friends who had El Caminos. 1970 1971 & 1973. I never knew about the footwells. I knew there was a storage space behind the drivers seat.

[@88SC]

There’s a picture floating around from the GM Photo Archive of a 1:1 scale wall drawing (don’t know what they called it) of a proposed 1955 “El Camino”. Dated May 1953. It depicted Bel Air wagon trim, and the rear cab wall was vertical. I’m not sure when Ford started mulling the idea, probably around the same time, but they pulled the trigger first. A buddy of mine used to motocross in the 1970s, and he said the vehicle of choice for hauling was a Ranchero or El Camino.

[@kevintuma6223]

I hab a 82 GMA EL DIABLO , they used the back footwell space in those . You could get 5 cases of beer under there from the inside . Covered by a carpet flap .

[@danf321]

I’ve always loved the 1970 El Camino SS with the cowl induction hood and white stripes. Just curious why the front-heavy 454 could be ordered but not a high performance small block?

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

Wow . Probably an area thing and i 'll always bow to one so knowledgeable, l thought HEI was 'HALL's effect ignition.

[@SquirminHermanthe1eyedGerman]

El Caminos were so much better looking & cooler than the Rancheros! I just recently sold my black/black '72 350 4bbl

[@SSinisterXCI]

0:34 i didn't know you had teleportation abilities steve!

[@nicksnarski5973]

That instrument cluster was added wood grain was a Monte Carlo deal.

[@alconk7129]

That cluster is worth some big $

[@tony66au]

Something the US auto makers did well was make Utes interesting with a great options list :-) My 1971 Chrysler VG Valiant Ute (A Body, think mid 60s Dart) is also built on a Wagon floorpan but strictly business with a 225 slant early in production, the Aussie 245 "Hemi" (It wasnt) following or a 318 and they were all what I call a "Poverty pack" spec. Mine is a 3 speed manual column shift and the option was a 904, Bench seat only and everything else was an option like Heaters, radio, power brakes (Mine has Drums all round, LH thread wheel studs on the left side ) and yet like all A bodies there was room for 340/360 or any small block simply by using the right K frame and adding suitable brakes. And the GM-Holden and Ford Utes of the day were not much better although a year or so later this all changed with Local manufacturers. Aussie manufacturers Had access to the US parts bins, our local variants share a lot with US models and yet we never really were offered much as Optional extra's although Chrysler Australia would build you a US parts bin special if you waited but it was very rare and years later this showed with Engineering Mule executive fleet cars or Parts bin optioned cars made for US executives working here. Chrysler ruled the road in sales and practicality in the 1960's

[@ScottDLR]

My FIL had one of these and I never knew that foot well area was under there. He would have been shocked!

[@MrBlackbutang]

Great year

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍👍

[@ko9446]

These trucks are commanding good money now. That one in my area would sell quickly.

[@GrippoMarx]

How about a segment on that old bathtub? You can bring in Rich Trethewey from This Old House. :)

[@TomTom-qm4mq]

Seeing this makes me think if you can take $4k and go back I. Time to order a car just the way you want it. What would you order? Color? Options? When I was little my dad would buy a new car every 2 years and let us pick it out. One year we went I picked a 1970 chevelle ss in the showroom but I got out voted because we were a family and needed a family car. We bought a Malibu wagon.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Holden Falcon an Valiant utes all initially had the back footwells under the floor. Holden 71 on used a perimiter chassis front to rear. Ford and Val continued with wagon basics As for the instruments I am sure you could option them,, and that dealers ordered more sporty vehicles to bestill on base vehicle insurance. The Chev rallyes quite possibly were an option as well. Probably the base 350 was the cutoff. Very common here. I had a 70 Ranchero GT and while a bit bigger than an Aussie Falcon ute it was all behind the wheels. And not as strong either.

[@abeneufeld9690]

is it at a truck or a car ?. you answered that question by telling us that the frame was boxed and not like a C channel therefore it’s a truck, thanks for your great vast knowledge .love your channel