![]() But since the second-generation El Camino had been introduced in 1964 (the nameplate had been on hiatus since 1960 at that point), it had consistently outsold the Ranchero – usually by a large margin.īut Ford had closed part of the gap in 1972 due to the high sales of the reintroduced 500 model of the Ranchero. CompetitionĪs it had been for the entirety of the El Caminos lifespan, the Ford Ranchero was the car’s only direct competitor in the car/truck hybrid genre. In all, 50,359 were built throughout the production year. Including the Turbo Jet 400, the car also had 15-inch Rally racing wheels, a black custom steering wheel, distinct instrumentation, power brakes and a high output battery.Īs it had been for many years, the El Camino Custom – which included the SS models – was the best-selling El Camino for the year. 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. ![]() 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. It's a cheap modification that will pay for itself many times over if you're involved in a collision or, and especially, a rollover.Other than the new grille, turn signals and other small modifications, the 1972 El Camino was basically a carbon copy of the year before. You can easily mount a D-ring anchor (where the shoulder belt hangs) in any model when you're replacing the headliner. The mounting holes are present in El Caminos manufactured in 66 and later models, whether they came with shoulder belts or not. I installed 3-point lap/shoulder belts in my '68 SS. So please, buckle up and be the safest you can! Air bags are defined as SRSs - Supplemental Restraint Systems - and, as such, only work at their maximum effectiveness when used in combination with the lap/shoulder restraint. One of the major problems today is that some feel the air bag in their vehicle will save them - WRONG! They can help with some head and chest injuries when used alone - maybe - but lower extremities are in real danger. Our study led to the requirement of lap/shoulder, 3-point restraint systems at all seating positions in most light-duty passenger vehicles. So I can speak with some authority on the subject. S eat belts DO work to mitigate injuries in automobile crashes! I was fortunate to lead the vehicle and occupant crash force reconstruction analysis of a major occupant safety study for the NTSB back in the 80s.
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