Newbie here

[7d8ss]

Been lurking for a few days. I'm from Lexington, Ohio. I don't have what you would call the traditional "Musclecar". I've abused a few in my day, but couldn't afford the bucket seats out of one now. I chose a car that I could afford & still be able to work on without some kind of diagnostic machine. The car is a 78, original 4 speed manual, El Camino. I see some Rancheros on here so don't be to hard on me. I dumped the smogged up 350 out of it & replaced it with a mildly souped up 355. ( It runs mid to low 14's in the quarter.) Not a rocket by any means but keeps most of the ricers at bay on the street & is a blast from the past, to drive. --- Jon

[72Chero]

Well I'll be the first Ranchero lover to say HI

We won't hold it against ya... your only human.... and Like Ranchero owners the Elkie Owners have their opinions.

welcome aboard and we'd love to see pictures of your ride....14 second truck huh.... hmmmmmm, I had a 77 Malibu wagon...same platform....with a HP Corvette 350, Turbo 350 with B&M shift kit...that sled did high 15's.... tell us how your ride is built...

make yourself at home....

[19_Chevelle_69]

Hey Jon, welcome to Musclecarowners.com ( or MCO for short...)

Good to have you, enjoy!

[WINGNUT]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have a relatively rare car. I don't think many 4 speed Elkies left the factory in '78. What came with it originally......a 305?

[7d8ss]

72Chero, The 350 motor has been bored .030 over. It has flat top pistons, tricked out 305 heads, a bowtie victor jr. intake, 750 cfm holley dp & hooker headers. There are 355 gears in the butt. I looked at your gallery & couldn't figure out how to add a pic.
Don, How's the new job going?
Wingnut, There were approx. 1700 standard shift Caminos built in 78. (Including 3 speeds) . Total production for 78 was around 58,000. The original motor was a 165 horse 350. UGH. --- Jon

[19_Chevelle_69]

New business is great! It was slow there for a while around Xmas, but things are already picking up again.

My bud had an 80ish "Black Knight" elky with a 4 gear. Neat car, a little rough around the edges, but it was tired and he didn't want to put any money into it. I told him he should fix it up, but he got rid of it before he looked around on the internet and found out exactly what it was. :rolleyes:

[Letsrace]

I like ElCaminos! Welcome aboard! :)

[7d8ss]

Thanks for the Welcome, letsrace. I managed to get some pics up but you'd better look quick. They are in the garage section & will be eliminated as others put their pics up. I also got one in my profile but don't know if anyone else can access that. --- Jon

[72Chero]

So Jon....two different pictures two different colors...soooo..... which is the correct color? We used to run a pretty nasty 355 in our stock car.... You have a sharp looking truck even if its an El :D :D :D

[7d8ss]

Sarah, The color is called "Red Metalic Carmine". It is a very deep red But the discrepencies in the pics is probably caused by lighting & possibly the metalic flakes in the paint. It now has grey primered doors because the originals were rotting off. A 1980 Malibu with a bad frame was the door donor. I can live with the primer but couldn't stand the rust. --- Jon

[72Chero]

Well I am a sucker for red cars.. :D :D :D RED appropriately named is Laser RED Pearl :D :D ;)

[72Chero]

If we get enough El lovers on here.... I'll make a section for El Camino's just like I did for the Ranchero's... :D