When I first heard about the SSR, the first thought that came to mind was "Cool, Chevy is bringing back the El Camino!" Unfortunately it was named the "SSR" and not the new "El Camino".
How many of you guys would still consider it to be an Elky? I think it would fit right in, in an El Camino rally. The following link has some pics of the SSR:
http://trucks.about.com/cs/chevyssr2004/a/ssr_pictures.htm

Not!!!!
Looks ugly,is overpriced and looks like a 54 Chevy pickup.

Hey, if you really want a new Elky, check out the Holden website. You can get there from the GM site, and then look for the Holden Ute. They make 3 versions, including an SS with a hot V-8. In fact, the Holden Monaro is going to be rebadged and fitted with an LS-1 engine, and sold here as a GTO. But I digress...

My son is a GM engineer, and has seen some Ute's cruising around the test track in Millford, Mi. just outside of Detroit. He says that it would be prohibitively expensive to have one imported, but the selling price, after currency conversion is only about $19,000.
Well, we can dream!

Mark S. tongue.gif

Originally posted by L7870_cortez:
Not!!!!
Looks ugly,is overpriced and looks like a 54 Chevy pickup. DITTO !!!!!!!

Not that a '54 Chevy pickup is all that bad as classic trucks go....but they have a whole different "cool factor" than an A-body muscle car fitted with the utilitarian practicality of a bed box.

Around here (Las Vegas) just the other day I saw a pretty good conversion of a Jaguar to the el camino lifestyle. About a year ago I saw a 3rd generation Trans Am that had given up the two rear almost seats for a bed instead...looked surprisingly cool...as does the "Ute" by the way. Seems lots of people love our cartrucks... everyone except GM management. I don't think GM was looking to replace the El Camino with the SSR. It's too low production. Too pricey. Too exclusive. All things the el Camino, thankfully, NEVER was.

SKIP
'69 El Camino Custom (for my daughter)
'69 Camaro convertible (for me)
'67 Sting Ray coupe (for fun)

You guys make some good points. The El Camino was affordable, light (the SSR weighs 4000+ lbs; my '67 weighed 3100 lbs from the factory), and it wasn't in your face gawdy. I would like to see GM bring back an El Camino, but not in a limited, expensive, and over-done body style. Until that day comes, I guess the SST will be the closest thing to an Elky. It looks like the "Nots" are going to take it, LOL! graemlins/sad.gif

well there would be one thing that would sway me to the not and that is the el camino always had the front end of a malibu! which is kind of what made the el camino so stylish so maybe if they used todays malibu front end with a truck bed, but that front end on the ssr does not look anything like that?!? defiently something to think about

my dad wants one it will go nicely with the 502 49 5 window we have

i would say no.
only a rich guy can buy one.... way to much $$
the common guy could buy a camino (the original cowboy cadillac)

While I like the SSR for its high perf and styling its not an Elky.Overpriced and no carrying capacity to speak of.Sadly since the death of the Station wagon which the El Camino was built from,we will probably never see another new model El Camino.

it will be nice once they put the ls1 ls2 ls6 t56 combos in it. the price will go down once. they flood hte market

Hello,

Somone mentioned in this topic, Holden. This is the GM of Austrailia. Check out their web site at Holden.com and look at some of the vehicles there.

The Monaco is the USA GTO. If this is an idea to things to come, I'll bet we will see an new El Camino in the USA based on these vehicles sooner than you think. Try this thread below. If not look for the UTS SS.

http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/modeloverview?modelid=15002

FYI, David

Ugly convertible pick up truck. Dave

My last 2 cents on it...I think the SSR makes a statement as trucks go, regardless of how "pricey" it is. In this age of cars that either look like every other car...or try too hard to stand out...the SSR certainly leans to the latter. Though overall I think its pretty cool, but not particularly my style...and for my $45K, give or take a few $, there are a lot of cooler/better cars/trucks out there calling for my hard-earned money...including some classics worthy of restoring.

SSRs at el camino shows or in el camino clubs?... Naw...the SSR is a specialty TRUCK. The el Camino was always built on version of an existing passenger car. That's why it was so comfy...that's why it had the performance...that's why it's still so cool. I know I love 'em, but I'm still suprised at the reaction my daughter gets when someone at her high school sees the EC for the first time...normally something like "That's YOUR car!?!? That's the coolest car ever!" I guess there's hope for us all yet. ;)

Skip

Anyobdy remember how pricey the 'low cost' PT Cruiser was initially? Dealers asking AND getting $4k to $6k over the sticker price. If GM continues the production of the SSR, production will go up and price will come down. Right now the retro look is in (although GM is a whole lot late), and I like the looks of it.

Is it an El Camino? Don't think so and don't think it was intended to be.

Paint the thing red and white, put a refer box on the rear, and a bell......

The new and improved ICE CREAM TRUCK!!! :D

Definitly not an El Camino. Maybe if GM is smart enough to reintroduce the Chevelle as a large bodied 2 door rear wheel drive V-8 coupe... then they can restyle the SSR with a similar front bumper and rebadge it as the "El Camino".

I wondered at first why Chevrolet didn't badge the SSR as an El Camino because of it's car/truck like qualities. It would've been a great marketing ploy... but I think they realized that us Chevelle/El Camino fanatics would scoff at the SSR as an attempt to bring back the original El Camino.

Originally posted by 72Elky:
It would've been a great marketing ploy... but I think they realized that us Chevelle/El Camino fanatics would scoff at the SSR as an attempt to bring back the original El Camino. Maybe they're waiting to bring the Holden Ute over as the new El Camino? I can dream, can't I (I'm also dreaming that the mid-$20K price will come with the V8 Ute)?