This week’s Fan Car Friday comes to us from Christopher and his 1972 El Camino SS. Fan Car Friday is a segment where we want to share with the world the automobiles that our fans have. We have absolutely no affiliation/relationship with the cars, the build or the owners. This post was made with written consent from the owner.

Christopher remembers the El Camino as the family’s work vehicle. When he was still young he and his dad would use the El Camino every weekend for some project they had to do around the house. Whether it was putting up fences, cutting down trees or installing a new floor they were always driving to any number of places in his dad’s El Camino throughout his childhood.

It was when Christopher was finally able to drive that his dad said the El Camino could be his for $350 and he admits he then reluctantly agreed to buy it. Christopher saw getting the old, beat up El Camino as something that was hurting his reputation at school and killing his chances with the girls – but it was the only car he could buy. Which is why he sold it once he “could finally afford a real car” and didn’t look back for many years. It was in hindsight that Christopher realized how foolish he was for thinking that way, selling the car and for disrespecting his father’s generosity.

After going to university Christopher landed a role in small company where he was earning moderate success, but not enough to live lavishly. When he finally closed his first “big deal” with an international client he took his commission check and bought another 1972 El Camino to replace the one he and his dad both knew so well. This was his opportunity to make up for his blunder as a teenager, and he wasn’t going to squander it.

This time though, he was able to get the SS they had always wanted. Not only that, he would give the El Camino the respect it deserved. He had it repainted to match their old color, gave it new 3” exhaust from front to back, gave new life to the bench seat, the door panels and carpet were replaced as well. Aside from the appearance he installed power disc brakes, power steering, new bushing all around and a 12 bolt rear. He added new gauges, a sleek modern radio and was able to keep the factory AC running. The 350 isn’t a drag engine by any means, but it was rebuilt and provides just enough kick for them to enjoy it.

His idea was to make the El Camino what it deserved to be. Something to embarrass what his younger self did. And we think he did a pretty good job of that in his build. Its of enough quality to bring to shows, but not so nice they’re afraid to use it for work.

Christopher says his favorite thing about the vehicle is still helping his dad with weekend projects in the El Camino just like they used to all those years ago.