El Camino Abomination

[Guest]

Telling the difference between modern vehicles is very, very easy. They're all vastly different.

I couldn't disagree more. Sorry.

[Fabrux]

Sure, the overall shape of cars is becoming more uniform but that is more for aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. But, each manufacturer still has their own unique designs.

[rhs856]

Here's more info on the Ute "rumored" to be coming to the U.S. Say what you will about the styling, I'll be in line for one with a 5.7L.

[Fabrux]

Interesting that that news comes out of Australia rather than the US; I guess they're more excited about exporting than the US is about importing...

[zenrat]

How many 4' x 8' sheets of plywood or drywall can you carry in a Corvette?

How many can you carry in the latest Holden Ute?

The current model's tub is too short for a full sheet.

If you really wanted a ute for work then the "Tonner" was the one you went for. Until they killed that off.

Given the current rate of our dollar against yours I don't think you'll be getting many of our cars over there in the near future.

Edited December 10, 2012 by zenrat

[lordairgtar]

I for one liked the old El Caminos (GMC Sprint) and Rancheros. I even had hoped for the AMC Cowboy (Hornet based vehicle) which never happened except for two prototypes. I though the Dodge Rampage was nice as well, seeing I owned a 1984 Dodge Charger, which was a pretty good car till the bottom started to rust out here in Wisconsin. Now, I'm really hoping for the new Elcos. The original El Camino and Ranchero was intended for the surfer crowd and hobby farmers, or as the term was then, gentlemen farmers, and small business owners who wanted a light vehicle and had no real need for the full size trucks. When Datsun (Nissan) and Toyota and Isuzu (Chevy LUV, Isuzu P'UP) and Mazda (Ford Courier, Mazda B2000/Rotary) brought in there small pick up trucks, the coupe/pickup lost it's appeal. BTW I like the Holden ute.

Edited December 11, 2012 by lordairgtar

[RancheroSteve]

How many can you carry in the latest Holden Ute?

The current model's tub is too short for a full sheet.

It's not so much about length - even most full size pickups have 6' long beds. If you have 4' (+ a little) in width, you can carry full sheets. They just hang out the back by a couple of feet. Tomorrow I will demonstrate this in my almost 50 year old Ranchero.

[Chuck Kourouklis]

Telling the difference between modern vehicles is very, very easy. They're all vastly different.

Truth to be told, I had difficulty telling one '50s chrome mastodon from another until I started paying attention to them...

[2000-cvpi]

Truth to be told, I had difficulty telling one '50s chrome mastodon from another until I started paying attention to them...

No, no that is clearly impossible. The wonderful cars of the past were perfectly styled, all very distinctive cars that newer cars could not start to be compared to. Anything else is just bland.

[hvymtl]

I too would love a Ute but no wimpy 5.7 it would have at least a 6.2l or the new one just announced.

And i loved my 85 yes it was a rust turd but the 84 in my garage is better by far , and i would love a 71 or even

a early 70's ranchero. as for hauling i will use the wife's fullsize GMC

Michael

[charlie8575]

Tangential to this whole styling topic, I ran across this commentary. Thought I'd share it here.

http://lfb.org/today/the-homogenization-of-the-car/

Enjoy.

Charlie Larkin

[Danno]

How come those Australian utes aren't made available in the USA? They are pretty cool.

[martinfan5]

'Cause they stuck the steering wheels on the wrong side when they built 'em!

You mean the right side :lol:

[Joe Handley]

'Cause they stuck the steering wheels on the wrong side when they built 'em!

You mean the right side :lol:

Right side, wrong side, the wheel still ain't on the left side of the car where it belongs

[RancheroSteve]

As promised, a shot of the Ranchero being used as a workhorse:

I used it to pick up a couple of sheets of plywood and some trim today. I'm building my mom a new entertainment center (shhsh, surprise!).

Wow, that paint job looks kinda tired in this light . . .

[SoCalCarCulture]

That was real - here's one at the Orange County International Auto Show in October 2008, before they pulled the plug on this and Pontiac in its entirety!