OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mark Austin on November 16, 2007, 10:35:47 pm
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Hi lads,
I think I've found the perfect vehicle to compliment all our VMX creations.
An El Camino SS 454 ute - I want one !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjsxUladvo&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWjsxUladvo&feature=related)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_sVe19wOW0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_sVe19wOW0)
Cheers,
Mark.
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Yeah, there should be enough room in the tray for me bike and an LPG tank. ;) ;D
Did you notice in the background of the drags; 'In and Out Burgers' - now there's honesty in advertising :P ;D
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Very nice!..........but compare that to what we had available here in OZ from gm in the same year....bit sad eh ???. My opinion is that any straight HQ to HZ ute with a paint job and a set of mags is just as nice ......and home grown!!!!!
Roger
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For me, you can't go past a Cf bedford (ute or van)
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I love those el Caminos with a passion. When I first moved to the US in 1975 I stayed for the first few weeks with the family of a mate of mines wife. The son of the family had a black '65 el Camino exactly the same as in the first video. The only difference being that Gregs had a 396 big block and Muncie rock crusher gearbox. Shit is was quick, especially for this young Aussie who's previous car had been a Valiant.I actually learned to drive LHD cars in that ute.
In 1995 I was back in the US and visiting my ex wife in Bishop, California. I was staying for a few days so her next door neighbour kindly offered to lend me his spare work car, which just happened to be for sale. It was a '71 el Camino 454 4 speed and he was selling it for a lousy $2500us. It too was a bloody rocket and the only thing that put me off it was that the metallic blue paint was trashed from being left out in the open in the summer heat and winter snow. Other than that it was rust free and pristine, had the original rallye wheels and only had 50 something thousand miles on it. I drove that car the next weekend to the Mammoth Mt motocross and slept the whole weekend comfortably in the back. I kick myself now for not buying it.
Our California friend, Tahitian Red has a big block early 70's elCamino.
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firko
Most cars of that era became classics , my favourite ( Pic up ) was the 1959 - 1960 EL Camino pic up this was Chevrolets response to fords Ranchero :)
348 c/i -315 bhp -top speed around 140 mph - triple rochesters two barrel carburetors ( fuel was cheap and no greenies ) four speed - :)
1961 was not a good year as sales dropped and just about saw the the EL Camino :(
1964 was the rebirth and was baesd on a Chevelle ;D
Now if they made a 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air pic up- similar lines to the NOMAD WAGON 8) Ummmmmmmm
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An old motocross mate of mine John D, has a '59 el Camino he imported about 20 years ago. When he got it it was metallic blue with a full purple and silver flame job and was slammed like a low rider. Not the most tasteful of vehicles.
Since then he's painted it the factory two tone red and white fitted a full repro red/white interior and upgraded the suspension with discs etc. He's fitted a 400 small block crate motor and a turbo 700 auto but sadly it's been sitting in his shed for over six years without a spanner being put to it. Business and domestic problems slowed him right down so I've offered to buy it a couple of times but he reckons he's going to finish it soon and when he's finished it he's going to build a Triumph desert sled or a Metisse VMX bike to match the car.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/elcamino.jpg)
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totally left field from you guys Firko but when I win the big one I gotta get me an F250 - coz its the only thing around which will fit my 7 foot wheelbase CR 250 in straight without the tail gate hangin down!!! And on the off weekends I can pull Redwood trees out of the ground for extra dollars to pay for the fuel!!!
Rossco
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Hi lads,
Here is my own version of the El Camino, even down to the rear sloped cabin!
I am the second owner, it has a slightly modified 351 on LPG, and a column shift auto with a limited slip diff and rear disc brakes.
Its in at the shop having all the suspension rebuilt, to get rid of the noisy "bird's nest" in the front suspension. Anyone who has driven an old falcon will know what I meant by that.... And I am fitting some Globe Bathurst mags I found on ebay.
The reason it's missing the front GS stripe in the first photo is because I was waiting for new decals after a Siberian Husky jumped off the roof right above here, landed on the bonnet and broke the windscreen, bonnet guards etc. He then got up, barked and ran away!
Hey Firko, do you reckon he'll still accept $2500 for it - I'll send him a check ;)
Cheers,
Mark.
(http://marksbikes.heaven-vmx.com/images/xb_2.jpg)
Here with my personal chauffeur...
(http://marksbikes.heaven-vmx.com/images/xb_1.jpg)
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Here's a couple of good ones!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-EL-CAMINO-SS-454-LS5-450-HP-W-IN-VIN_W0QQitemZ140178389929QQihZ004QQcategoryZ6153QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-EL-CAMINO-SS-454-LS5-450-HP-W-IN-VIN_W0QQitemZ140178389929QQihZ004QQcategoryZ6153QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-Chevy-El-Camino-327-Ci-AUTOMATIC-CALIFORNIA-CAR_W0QQitemZ330187220669QQihZ014QQcategoryZ6153QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-Chevy-El-Camino-327-Ci-AUTOMATIC-CALIFORNIA-CAR_W0QQitemZ330187220669QQihZ014QQcategoryZ6153QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
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Rossco, you can fit two bikes in the back of an el Camino with the gate up, but not as loosely as in an F250. Speaking of Ford bike carriers, what about my personal favourite, the 56 F100?
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/f100.jpg)
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As handy as those Jap twin cab utes are, there isn't enough bike space. Here's the old Navara and the Klub Kevlar Maicos at St Jennifers Church, Rockley back in '04 or so.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/QBCPW-mr2.JPG)
I was just going through my photos looking for a pic of my old XF ute when I found this shot of the Navara at Rockley. It shows even better how to squeeze two Maicos into a space they shouldn't be :D
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/mr6.JPG)
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I'd happily own a Navara STX turbo diesel, but they don't deserve to be called a "ute" with a tray that's so short... My old man's old 720 dual cab POS was significantly longer and more bike suitable.
Wish we'd been quick enough to get the $500 351, LPG XC project ute a few years back... But the old XF does the job well, until I get my grubby mitts on an XL Falcon ute that I know of. A HD, or HK/HT ute would also be acceptable.
Quote from My Name is Earl: "He's got an El Camino - they're like the Cadillac of automobiles".
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This would be my vmx hauler.
1955 Chevrolet Cameo Pickup.
This is like the Cadilliac Esclade of trucks in 1955.
Would even look real cool with a yz360a and yz360b loaded on back.
(http://rareclockmuseum.com/db1/00097/rareclockmuseum.com/_uimages/DSC02239.JPG)
Adam
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This is also a Awsome VMX hauler. A 1952 Chevrolet Coupe ute only in Australia. They were built to sell as a work ute but they cost something like twice the price than a holden. They are a Aussie version of a el camino. This actually ute was built buy my old boss and I spent may a day in my aprenticeship workin on this car. It runs a Tune Port Injected 350 Corvette motor and huge rubber on the rear.
The car now resides in Ireland as a collecter over there just had to have it.
My dad has one of these we found in a bomb shelter in Harboard with 20000 miles on the clock it is mint.I used to drive it when I was on my P's great surf wagon/ride.
http://www.oneoffcars.co.uk/6_thumbnail/picpage/page1.htm# (http://www.oneoffcars.co.uk/6_thumbnail/picpage/page1.htm#)
Adam
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I have to agree with Nathan that the Nissan turbo diesel is a great engine and the Navara a great "ute" but it surely lacks the space needed for our little hobby. Having said that, we had three bikes in the back and four in the trailer for CD3 and it handled the load beautifully. Typically of modern Japanese vehicles though, the Navara has more vinyl than soul.
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I just sold my truck it was a 76 F250 4x4 6.2lt Gm Diesel , auto ,power steering . you could fit 3 bikes and all ya gear and 4 across the front seat, just needed a crane to load the bikes in the back , will post a pick during the week . my personal oz favourite would a XA ute . I had a xa coupe , fairmont ,sedan but no ute ? still lookin for it Luv xa falcons .Luv the XB .
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If you a '70's period ute with carrying capacity ya can't go pass.....
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/mx250a/austin.jpg)
;D ;D ;D ;D
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Well it does have the right name Graeme!
Mark.
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Too cool. I saw one on the M7 toll way just today. It had Minilite wheels that really set it off.
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Adam,
I reckon I could be tempted with that Chev - what a beauty!
You guys always did have great taste in cars...
Cheers,
Mark.
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There must be something with black '65 El Caminos. I've got a mate in the USA who's got a pristine black '65 with a 327 4 speed and 12 bolt rear end. It's been in his family from new and is being passed down through the generations. His son drives it now and it'll pass on to his son. I've driven it and it's a nice car except for the shit brakes.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-8/1062154/elcaminob.jpg)
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Well it does have the right name Graeme!
Mark.
:D ;D
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Too cool. I saw one on the M7 toll way just today. It had Minilite wheels that really set it off.
Nice 8) Now slip in the 6 and you're 'smoking' ;) ;D
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This is cool a mordern day YAMAHAULER..
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/20968 (http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/20968)
Adam
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For those old enough to remember there was a bike shop in the Sydney suburb of Pennant Hills called Perry's Motorcycles and while I can't for the life of me remember his first name (Len?) I do remember he drove a bright green ute that could swallow any size bike and I seem to think it was a chopped Pontiac (but hey, it might have also been an el Camino?) - the thing was huge. If any one remembers the ute or the owners name it would be a good trip down memory lane.
My first ute that hauled my CR125 around was a '66 XP Falcon that was powered by a huge? 144ci slug, lol. That thing was indestructible and a car I took too much for granted as I lusted after something with more power while on an schoolkids budget. Not that many years, and afew cars later, I bought a great deceased estate car - a bright orange XA Falcon ute, complete with white tonneau cover and big mags, which was absolutely brilliant except you got sucked into moving house for all your 'friends' every second weekend. The poor guy who had owned it found out the hard that 9.8 metres per second per second applies to gyro copters with failed engines just like any other falling object! - I kept the sticker "I'd rather be flying my gyrocopter" on the tailgate till the day I sold the car !!!
I currently own an 06 DX40 Navara 'Ute' that is brilliant. With the tail down it fits two bikes and a big quickshade easily and has the best factory fitted tie down system of any manufacturer which uses rails in the floor, sides and tub front wall and a system of cleats that can be moved by the turn of a knob. The back seats can fold up or down and the gear that can be crammed in is only limited by your imagination. The little diesel pulls like a train and the whole package looks more like a ute than a stylised car. The only big downfall in my book is the tailgate hinges appear to be on the weak side. I agree with the title on these types of cars as they a bit of everything, especially given they are also a decent 4WD - I call it a ute because it is just that - a utility vehicle, but then a ute in the Aussie sense is still in the mould of the Kingswood or Falcon.
See you at the back of of the pack ;)
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wernt those austins called land crabs
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Over the years every time I ran a ute into the ground I would update to an earlier model. Started with a 78 XC falcon GS 302 then a 74 F100 then a 71 XY and now a 68 XT Falcon running a 351 Clevelend that has hauled my bikes for the last 12 years. I do have my eye on a 74 Cadillac ute which I think would be the ultimate hauler, but I don't want to part with the XT to buy it.
I test drove a 74 el camino with the 454 and a 72 ranchero with a 400. I didn't buy either as they didn't perform as good or go as hard as my trusty old XT.
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If any is interested i could put you on to a couple of very cool trailer towing rigs there is a couple of ford Tbirds about 65 models i think if anyone is pm me.
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If ya gonna have style its gotta be Aussie Style.
CAPRICE CREWMAN 1 TONNER 1984.
http://wbcrewman.blogspot.com/2007/03/crewman-1-tonner-1984.html
"Ok here is what we have. A WB Caprice crewman. This car is a genuine 1984 statesman with a 1 tonner end cap grafted in. The 1 tonner chassis has had a 1 meter stretch, the rear tray is a full length one tonner. The rear window is 2 inches lower than a standard 1 tonner.
The rear quarter windows in the rear doors are one off."
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/mx250a/116-1605_IMG.jpg)
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l187/mx250a/116-1606_IMG.jpg)
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I reackon utes are a pain in the arse.
Your bike get wet, your gear gets wet ( whatever hasnt flow out) and you have nowhere dry to sleep or get changed.
Get a van, everything is secure, dry, enclosed, dry, plenty of room, dry, a change room dry,
My vito reminds me of those kewl old bedford vans and you can fll them right to the roof, mY record is 4 bikes and PArt, tool box , race gear.
Go the mighty Vans !
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The Mainline was a good luxury prestige utility vehicle. Was a 57 model like me with a 332 big block Tank Fairlane engine. Could only fit two bikes but in the front you could fit all the mates in, 4 abreast on the bench, two on the parcel tray and two behind the seat. Fuel consumption was horrible, it used fuel just sitting there with leak in the tank. After that was fixed the fuel consuption improved to 10 miles to the gallon. Remember those? You could get one for 45 cents! ;D Just under 10 cents a litre, trouble was I was only earning $32 a week.
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I agree with freaky 150% on the Van as vehicle of choice for MX. I have a long wheelbase van that easily accommodates 2 big road bikes or 3 mx'ers plus gear + fuel + food /drink. I also attached two small mounts for a 3M x 3M pergola tent to fix on the side of the van which can be enclosed just by adding zip-in sides. That gives me good cover for the bikes once unloaded and a place for my table and chairs too.
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Vans are much too practicle to be kewl :-[.
;D ;D ;D
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My Van is a beige Holden shuttle and it could only be cool if it were thrown out the back of a C-130 over Antarctica ;D
But this would be cool...
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