Steve Jacobs has previously featured in the Central West Car Club members' cars with an earlier Chevrolet pick up, but it was only when I recently asked him about his new set of wheels that he reminded me of his passion for Chevs and the special significance of this car in particular.
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"Growing up, my group of friends and I were all into old Chevs and a particular mate who passed away owned an El Camino ute. This car isn't a tribute as such to him but certainly the memories of him and his car spurred me on," Steve said.
Steve's latest rig is a 1979 Chevrolet El Camino ute. Described in the industry as a coupe utility, they were produced in the U.S. for a short run from 1959-1960 and then again from 1964-1987. Steve's car is a fifth generation 'G' body ute with the two tone Conquista trim package.
"Funnily enough, I started looking for a late 60's/early 70's model, but the later models were a bit more affordable and the more I looked the more my tastes changed towards the '79 model," he said.
"I'd flicked past this one for sale 18 months earlier but came back to it and ended up buying it a couple of months ago in Sydney."
Steve's El Camino runs a 350 c.i. V8 with a three speed automatic.
Being an American car it's left hand drive and inside the big cabin there's luxury looking burgundy trim and a full width bench seat. He's added a set of 18 inch wheels and replaced the suspension which was a bit sagged.
"It was already on full NSW rego which made things easy and I ordered myself a set of personalised number plates to set things off too," Steve said.
Steve's happy to admit that the El Camino isn't everybody's idea of a muscle car, but he wanted something that was just a bit different to the same old Camaros and Mustangs that people think of as American muscle.
Steve is a member of the Parkes-based Central West Car Club which is holding its annual Charity Show and Shine on Saturday, October 19 at Pioneer Oval in Parkes. Featuring cars, motorbikes and trucks, there's typically over 150 vehicles on display. The day usually raises in excess of $10,000 for the Parkes branch of Can Assist thanks to our generous local sponsors, so mark the date in your calendar and be sure to come along for a fabulous day out.
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