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| ~ THE RIDE ~ |
| YEAR: 1969 MAKE: Chevrolet MODEL: El Camino Chevelle Malibu CAME WITH: 350ci V-8 Engine ~ TH350 Automatic Transmission ~ Edelbrock 4-Barrel Carburetor (600 Series) ~ 12-Bolt Posi-Traction Rear End ~ Flowmaster Dual Exhaust ~ KYB Shocks ~ Sunroof _______________________ My 1977 Camaro LT was traded away in April 2005 to get this ride; had The Gubernator not signed that insipid '75 cut-off smog exemption law, I'd still have The Camaro today; but in having been required by law to smog check it bi-annually for most of 15 years already, that bullshit had gone on long enough. So after an extensive search on-line, I found the ideal solution in Elky via eBay auction (which included these pictures). Dfferences between this truck and my previous car were easy to immediately recognize. The Camaro, with it's new GM V-8 350ci engine and rebuilt transmission, was a calm, cool customer with power restrained by a 2-barrel carburetor, catalytic converter & smog pump. The Camino, with above-listed perks (minus any smog devices), is just the opposite--equipped with the type of rumble that sets off car alarms! I could instantly see the contrast between these two vehicles. It was like comparing a toned, tighty-whitey-brief-&-jock-strap wearin' athlete...to a nasty barrel-chested, hairy-knuckled, balls-out barbarian. The Camaro had a quiet, conservative strength; The Camino came with raw power and relentless drive with guts to spare. And it never has to be smogged! Kiss my ass, Arnold!! This Fremont, CA. manufactured vehicle came fitted with a variety of parts from a '68 model, which is why its appearance keeps people guessin' about the year it was actually made. The side tags read "327" when there was/is actually a late-'80s 350ci engine under the hood; and to help keep it cool, a trans-cooler and electric fan were installed by a previous owner, perhaps the same one who had the sunroof added. Take into account thing like the Edelbrock carb, KYB shocks, 12-bolt rear end, etc. and ya have to think a previous owner may have done some street racing. Elky needed immediate help; so I set about takin' it to various sources for numerous repairs & upgrades. The following links tell my story of how efforts to restore this classic car have gone so far. Year One Year Two Year Three |