LOVE MY 82 EL CAMINO. BUT I JUST PICKED UP A 2004 SSR AND ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW.... IT IS UNREAL. IT IS FUN TO DRIVE AND ALL YOU GET IS PEOPLE LOOKING AND POINTING. I'LL HAVE TO POST SOME PIC WITH THE EL AND SSR NOSE TO NOSE.

I'LL HAVE TO POST SOME PIC WITH THE EL AND SSR NOSE TO NOSE.

That'd be cool! Look forward to seein'm!!! The only SSR i've seen on the road was a red one....and it was filthy! Not a good introduction to what looks like a cool truck :(

The only problem I have with it, and all new cars in general, is the large amount of plastic. They also don't have springs on the hood anymore. The most they have is those gas shocks, except on some larger trucks.

I should be envious of anyone who can afford to spend over $42,000 for a small pickup, I suppose, and don't want to sound like sour grapes. At first I was a little enthusiastic, but now I think that GM may have missed the boat with this SSR.
It is a cartoon car, almost looks like it was molded in plastic, an oversize model that would look quite cute, in smaller scale, sitting under the Christmas tree.
For my money, it is over featured and over priced. General Motors could make a cheaper version, with a fixed top and open bed, as a more Retro alternative for folks who don't want to buy a Chevrolet Canyon, the new replacement for the S-10 small pickup.
One might argue that it differs from El Caminos, which are based on a car, rather than a truck, and clearly the SSR has taken many styling cues from the early 1950's Chevy trucks. You might wonder if GM considered a GMC version?
As I have stated elsewhere, I would like to have to option of purchasing a new El Camino, but then, we are at the mercy of General Motors. What's good for General Motors, might be good for the country, as they used to say, but at the moment, El Camino enthusiasts are the tail, you might say, and GM is the dog.
ES

No matter what, it is safe to say there will NEVER be a car named "El Camino" produced by any automobile manufacturer in the near or for that matter distant future. Unfortunately people have misinterperated the Meano as some piece-o-crap. Wish it hadnt happened- but thats life with such a unique name. I bet the school kids made fun of Einstein's last name too!

Although If they made an AFFORDABLE Three lettered acronym Meano look-a-like I would sure make my dad buy it. haha. Where can I get more details on this Car? I saw one at the fair on display from chevy and found out that it had a stroked 327 block...I was entrigued...better yet arroused haha, right until he told me the price!

Sorry for my rambling.
Luke

"No matter what, it is safe to say there will NEVER be a car named "El Camino" produced by any automobile manufacturer in the near or for that matter distant future."
Certainly, I would not want anyone to end up with egg on their face, by making a pronouncement that proves to be off the mark. GM cannot be ignorant of the enduring popularity of the El Camino, and has the means to produce a new one, just as the GTO soon will make its debut, from Australia, albeit, to the chagrin of some traditionalists. Can a new El Camino be far behind, especially if the GTO is the roaring success that some car pundits have predicted?
The automotive press has already made suggestions, rather quietly, that the prospect of a new El Camino is being contemplated. Some of us are likely to jump at a chance to buy one, and even some who might presently scoff at its origin, might eventually warm to the idea.
Let's see what develops. It could be interesting.
Eric

Yeah I am waiting for Chevy to do something atleast. I dont even care if it is an El camino. It seems to me what happens is, Super Chevy magazine gives some sub-CEO of Chevy a binder full of letters from enthusiats saying make this car and then a month later what do we get? I am not saying I dont think Chevy will not make a "retro remake", I just hope they get on the ball soon cause when this new mustang hits, I dont want it to be ford and pontiac getting all the glory. The new Camaro looks inviting- Dont know how easy it will be to mass produce though.

On one note- I got a question? Who thinks the new GTO looks unique? I DONT want the camaro(probably the best bet on a new prototype, face it camaro beats el camino in popularity test...although I still love my meano more) to end up looking like any other turtle shell car. Take my opinions Lightly, I had some really bad suasage meat sauce and I need some pepto bismal.
If you think I am wrong- educate me. So I dont look like a fool in the future, well..atleast not act like a fool.
-Luke

"Who thinks the new GTO looks unique? I don't (want to) look like a fool in the future, well..at least not act like a fool. "
We are all fools, at one time or another, so why should you be left out? Anybody who buys an old Elky, and pours money into it, is likely to be regarded as fool by some, even by significant others. "You spend money on that damn car and we need new drapes.' Sound familiar?
The GTO looks to me like a lot of other rolling contemporary iron (and plastic). If it is to succeed, it will because of its performance, or at least 'perceived' performance. The jelly bean look is not dead, and I wish it was. Even the new Chevy SSR looks like a jelly bean in several flavors.
Eric

Hey all first time poster....so what i think about the new "SSR" its nice and all;but it just doesn't fit the history it looks neat and all .... well what i'm trying to say is its nice i like it but it just does not fit the old el camino look...... but the pics of the "SSR" and 82 El Camino nose to nose sounds preety cool. :-P

I realy like the ssr but here in canada they wan't 80,000 cdn plus tax for them. i test drove a red one and i thought it needed more power and for that kind of money GM should have put something like a z06 engine in the ssr. i thought it was realy cool the way the roof worked.

...for folks who don't want to buy a Chevrolet Canyon, the new replacement for the S-10 small pickup.

the Colorado is replacing the s-10

That kinda crosses out chevy from the mini trucking scene right? from pictures I have seen the colorado is much larger than the "old" s-dime. Also a version comes with a 5 cylinder? whaaa?? Seems neat- I would like to see some *real* specs of its power.

-Luke

I can't see paying that much for a car period... no mater what it is.

"the Colorado is replacing the s-10''

The Canyon is the Chevrolet and the Colorado is the GMC replacement of the former small pickup know either as the Sonoma or S-10, depending on where it was bought.

uhhh..you sure? Theres an add in my magazine(SC) that has clearly stated,"In Colorado, Everything is bigger. chevrolet" So the colorado is a GMC truck- and all of a sudden the S-10 is a GMC truck? I'm Confused. Then again it really doesnt matter.
-Luke

Got my wires slightly crossed.
http://www.velocityjrnl.com/jrnl/2004/vmd8548ov.html
The new GMC small truck is the Canyon, the same rebadged truck sold by Chevy dealers is the Colorado. The previous small truck for both makes went through some name changes and one body change since its introduction in the early 1980's. The Chevy version was the S-10 and the GMC version was the S-15. Later, the S-15 would become the Sonoma.
None of these vehicles is comparable, in my view, to the El Camino, although the Colorado and Canyon offer more comfort than their predecessors.
Eric

Back to the SSR discussion, congrats on your new vehicle!
Up to this point, I've not been a big fan of the SSR, but I just received my April 2004 issue of Hot Rod magazine and the modified SSR in the magazine is hot and beautiful. I even had a momentary thought of selling the Corvette and getting one just like the one in the magazine... but I got over it. :-)

By the way, for those that have been involved in the Hot Rod Magazine (Yes/No) discussions, the April 2004 issue is a decent issue. The April 2004 issue is not yet posted on the Hot Rod Magazine website. When it is, be sure to view it, this modified version of the SSR is really something else. Wish I had more garage space.

i've had 5 el camino in my time. the best was a 70 big block 454 triple black. i had alot of fun with it. my now 82 has been a project car and my next step for it is installing a 6-71 blower on it. it all for the fun. i never though a ssr would be that cool to have.. i guess you are right about the cost but what else do we work for. all it is a fun roaster. it is not a car and it is not a truck. i will post some pic this week end with the ssr and el camino together.

Population here is 7,000 to 8,000 and Sue Harton Chevy has one. " NO FREE RIDES " I wanted to check out the accelerator pedal a bit closer, honest that's all. The money is the issue, I could finish my 66 to a T and throw one hellava party to celebrate another ressurection of a classic. The only drawback is the $$$$$ tree won't grow fast enough.

yep, no more s-10. I went to a local dealership and saw a ssr, they don't look to bad, but for the money.... corvette all the way

There is a new ssr running around here where i live,got to see it up close and sat behind the wheel,and i have to say its a cool little car. I would be more happy if they sold for around the same price range of the pt-cruisers, But i have to agree with elky85,the corvette is just to good to pass up, i would get a vette for that kind of cash!