Hi Folks,
I made some posts under "1948 El Camino" topic To avoid cross posting, I can refer you there.
General Motors already has a new El Camino for us, not that Chevy SSR with a convertible top either.
If they chose to import it, here is an example of what you could get.
Eric
http://www.eagers.com.au/new_uteSS.htm

Just one more picture of a potential new El Camino, for those of us who might prefer a more conservative machine.
http://www.eagers.com.au/new_uteS.htm
Wouldn't it be cool?
Eric

The SS version here is also a conservative machine. :-( Sorry for the down side of this post but I have already stated my interest in the new GTO. This is a GTO with a bed. Don't take away from us the Camaro/Firebird LS1's and try to give us a GTO and now possible GTO/Elky with ho-hum body style in a "De-Tuned" V8 with less performance numbers and ask more money for it! :mad:

Appreciating that we can no longer purchase a Firebird, Camaro or El Camino, we are faced with tough choices. The new GTO is a hopeful sign, if only to revive an old favorite, that must , unfortunately, conform to over-regulation by the government, in terms of safety and emissions.
Let me suggest that a new El Camino would be a first step, at returning to the market, a car that we know and really care about. I would purchase one, in heartbeat, just to have a new El Camino, which does what I need and retains the car styling that I prefer. That is why I bought one in the first place. None of this threatens traditional El Camino collectors. It just gives some of us a light duty pickup, with a car ride and performance and style, which is what motivated many previous El Camino purchasers in the first place.
Eric

FYI - that is not a "De-Tuned" V8. It is a full powered LS1 motor. They are rated at 350hp at the fly wheel. My 2002 Camaro SS was rated at 345 at the flywheel. I've driven the a new GTO. It is heavy but it does get up and go.

The styling of the UTE is OK. I don't think the lines flow well enough from the passenger compartment to the bed transition.

I agree with Poltergeist about the body lines flowing smoothly. I think that an LS1 motor and a T6 trans would be a good start! 8) Maybe starting with and doing a bit of restyling to the Ute is a possibility. But lets not just glue some El Camino emblems on a Ute and call it an El Camino. We have a member Kris Horton, who is very capable of designing and improving a concept El Camino based on the Ute. Maybe with a lil bit of retro look. It should be manufactured and assembled in North America. The problem is convincing GM to produce it and not make their corporate greed a major factor. If GM is smart, they have a test market of over 2400 people right here at ECC. And they've got the guy, Kris, right here that has the ability and enthusiasm to do it, they should wise up and get him on the payroll before Ford gets ahold of him to design a new Raunchero. By the way I do like the looks of the Decoma concept, but front wheel drive, no way, stick with rear wheel drive and the LS1.

I kinda like the front end style, but the bed area just doesn't cut it for me. Maybe I'm being a "purist", but for me, the UTE just doesn't do the "El Camino" name justice.

All good comments, this is what a forum is all about!

"Appreciating that we can no longer purchase a Firebird, Camaro or El Camino, we are faced with tough choices"

Again this just my 2 cents.... :?

And whose fault is this? Thank GM for that! You don't kill off the LS1 F-bodies and leave us with nothing. And then want to return to the playing field with an import that costs more and is slower is straight line or road course performance numbers. (GM) Don't piss on my legs and tell me it’s raining! :(

You say this import would be a good start or have potential? The performance numbers and sale price don't support that! If I am going to be paying 40K for a new El Camino SS it better have better than potential it better GET IT right off the showroom floor!

I said the new GTO's LS1 was "detuned"...the hp numbers they post prove me wrong but the performance numbers don't! :?

An LS1 making 350hp (they claim) only turning on the upper end of 13's almost 14 sec. in the 1/4 mile should be closer to the 12 sec range! There is something wrong there! My 2000 Camaro SS with some bolt on's and way less in the hp numbers the GTO is claiming is already in the upper 12's on street tires.

Looks....please give me a break! The GTO body style is embarrassing to have the GTO name logo on it! If you park it next to a Camary or Taurus you could not tell them apart. This car looks like any car you see in a car rental lot. :?

I would LOVE to see the come back of an El Camino, but do it right! Do what Ford and Chrysler are doing; build a beautiful retro looking El Camino that deserves to wear the El Camino name proudly!

You won't see a GTO in my garage anytime soon, and don't try to give me a new El Camino that was a second thought from a car built in another country with a bigger price on it.

Dam....my 2000 SS an '70 Elco looks better to me every day! :cool:

I won't trade in this soon (my SS) for any new GTO/El Camino
http://elcaminocentral.com/users/70elco/2000%20SS.jpg

Dave

All of these comments are really nice, but what I think we need is a new and continuing El Camino. The limited numbers assure a market for after market parts and new vehicles. As to building it in the USA , that is fine, just build it some where.
Eric