One of the most popular was the SS options package, which provided a sporty trim to the car. Instead, buyers could customize their El Caminos in numerous ways, choosing from different engine options and trim packages. Somewhat uniquely, the El Camino never had multiple models, other than the 1968 SS396 which was its own model rather than an options package. Fortunately, the number would rise even higher the following year. In fact, production rose over the 50,000 mark for the first time in history as 57,147 units were built.
From there, buyers could choose the Turbo Jet 400, which was actually a 402 CID V8 rated at 240 horsepower, or a 454 CID V8 that produced 270 horsepower.īut the lowered numbers certainly didn’t hurt sales for 1972.
1972 EL CAMINO PICTURES UPGRADE
El Camino buyers that wanted V8 power (which most did) could upgrade to a 350 CID V8 that was now rated at 165 horsepower. Fortunately, the practicality of the El Camino would help it survive.Įngine options were the same as they had been the previous year, and the base engine was a 250 CID six-cylinder. But more important was the coming federal safety and emissions mandates that would effectively kill off the muscle car era by 1975. And even though the new lower net ratings didn’t actually represent a drop in power, the cars appeared on paper as less powerful, which was important in that day and age. However, when it was required in 1971 that all engines be able to run on unleaded fuel, power ratings began to go down. But throughout the years, performance options grew and grew until, in 1970, there were some very powerful El Caminos available.
By the time the 1964 models came out, it was built as a practical hauling pickup based on a car platform, and it also had a couple of V8 options for buyers who wanted more performance. The El Camino wasn’t designed as a muscle car. But more importantly, the seemingly decreased power foreshadowed things to come. However, with those new net horsepower ratings, the specifications sheets of El Caminos seemed less powerful, even though they actually weren’t. Other than the new grille, turn signals and other small modifications, the 1972 El Camino was basically a carbon copy of the year before.
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