I don't think it was a fair fight. I love the SSR, but the el Camino is a cult classic with a following that's huge. It takes an enthusiast to appreciate the SSR for what it is. I'd take the SSR. I like the el Camino as well though. Anything GM
I'd have to agree... about the only place where you can say that the SSR is possibly better would be with ride and handling... but from an aesthetic and power train stand point the El Camino wins... no comparison... the SSR was always a little fuggle... and expensive... for the same price you could get the Camino... boom.
The SSR is very unique, I love the retro styling. Problem is that it was made as a truck but marketed and priced as a Corvette. No one in their right mind would use a Corvette as a work truck. The El Camino on the other hand came in different trims and was more available to the "general public". It was sold for many years unlike the SSR. Yeah the bed is kinda off putting but it just seems more rugged and can do what it was meant to do back in it's time. I love both choices but if I had to choose i'd go with the Elco.
first off, when did I say you're stupid for liking the SSR? second, the fact that I replied has nothing to do with me caring.. third, I replied because I can. fourth, you're more stupid than I originally thought.
***** haha.. no, anything after that was referring to your chick magnet statement.. you argue like a fucking woman.. you think everything is related and you just try to bring up different points when the others have been put down. lol, would you like me to correct you some more?
My cousin owns a yellow SS/R. 2003, 5.3L V8, Borla straight exhaust, K&N filter and some other minor upgrades... People might say it's ugly but I think it is super cool! It's a Convertible pick up truck capable of hipnotizing many people with it's looks and awesome exhaust sound.
actually drove one and neigbour owned it,its a curve to get to the point of really liking it. in the grand scheme of things they should do a coupe mod and make it a convertible coupe and not a "truckish thing"
I'm with you I hate the sound of that style of super charger. I know many people love it but it's pure nails on the chalkboard hate to my ears. Plus it's less powerful than an stock LS2 SSR, that rumbles.
Nah, no it's not. People are just idiots. For what it was, the GNX is the best American car from the 80s. Yes the Chevelle is SLIGHTLY more collectible, yes it has more power. BUT they are about the same in everything, 0-60, 1/4 time, etc. And the 69 is ugly. 1970 is where it's at.
As an SSR owner, I completely agree... it's an entirely different ride with the top down. It dives like it was made to go topless and I get tons of "hey what's that", or thumbs up, or pictures just about anywhere I go. As for the supercharger... I will have to pass on that loud whining sound. I'm loving the growl mine makes and there is plenty of power to get into trouble with. Besides, the 2005 and 2006 SSRs were upgraded to the 400hp LS1 motor so no need for the supercharger. I'm not saying it's better than the El Camino. That car is an awesome classic onto itself. I can say my SSR is a blast an one of the funnest cars I have owned.
ssr has a classic old school look, its unique , not one bit ugly to me, There's A LOT of cars that were asf back 50+ years ago, now collectable worth thousands
I think the '05 & '06 SSR's are going to be HUGE collectibles in the future like the nomads and woodies are now, except they will have nostalgia and big power! Way cool convertible cruiser, especially with a 6-speed!
It's a little hard to compete with the cream of the crop El Camino, who wouldn't want one.....but there is something to be said for newer technology, convertible top, and the most seriously unique styling in years. I noticed the comment/complaint about engine noise in the SSR..... This noise was from an add-on supercharger, and the Camino could have just as easily sounded the same, had the owner chose to go in that direction (pay attention much?). Personally I prefer turbo spool over blower wine, but either way there is no relevance to the factory version of the engine.
Le me get this straight the 2004 Chevy SSR has a supercharged 5.3 L V8 that makes only 385 Hp? How did they manage to get that few horse power? What is the supercharger doing? Decreasing the power?
I thought these guys were supposed to be informed. The SSR wasnt gm going all out. It was yet another one of those amazing GM concepts that was fumbled for no good apparent reason. People wanted the lightweight 400 horsepower concept. People didn't want the overweight anemic SSR. The 5.3l made something like 280hp... On a car thay weighed well over 4000 lbs. They half assed it and they got half assed sales.
Venomxjjb it handled like crud because GM based it off a truck platform, instead of a car platform. for some reason the Big 3 came out with these amazing cars in the late 90s-early 2000, but yet dropped the ball on every one of them. the Prowler- great car, but they dropped in an underpowered V6 with an automatic (instead of the concept's V8). the Chevy SSR- built it off a truck platform, making weigh more and handle like crud. the last gen Thunderbird- built off a full-size Lincoln platform and loaded it to the gills with options and sound deadening and a releatively weak engine. Dodge Charger- 1999 concept had a modern version of the 68-70 Charger as a 4-door coupe, 2005 Charger ends up being a modern Polara renamed Charger and looks like the box the 99 Charger concept came in (they have inproved the styling a little bit now)
The SSR was one of the reasons GM needed to be bailed out financially. Money and man-hours spent on a novelty vehicle whilst their mass production cars lagged behind the competition. The SSR should have remained a concept.
TiconderogaX I'm guessing you condensed your entire point of view in to the word "Ugh". Or that's the extent of your communication skills. Same difference. My comment still stands.
I had two Elco's and had a great time with them both. 65' and 71' 327, 411's and 350 Hi Po with 454'a respectively. Ladder bars were a must to keep traction off the line and they both were NOT a disappointment when going up against other Muscle Cars.
I really like the cars the feature, but it would be nice if they would sometimes do anything else than american muscle cars. I mean they are really great, but the big innovations in technology and design are somewhere else. It´s just, when Americans do something about cars it´s always only about american cars.
i agree, my favourate cars of all time are muscle cars but i would like to see some variety on the show. would love to see a comparison of the the Toyota gt86 vs ae86 or te27sprinter
I would say this is a good balancer considering how the automotive media works. I mean, how many times have you heard or seen a video about the Panoz Esperante GTR-1? Or the Vector W8?
I think it's because they are in this guy's garage. He is an American with a lot of money that grew up with American cars, so he has a lot of rarities and they are getting those out of the way now before they start using cars from somewhere else. Also, you shouldn't expect an American based show to have as much access to rarer and older EU cars. I would also wager that the majority of the viewers live in the US. Don't get me wrong though, I agree that they should change it up a bit. I would love it if they could travel to other countries to compare some of their older or rarer models, but I don't think they have the time, connections or investment to do that.
The only reason why they've mainly only been on American cars, is because Lingenfelter is letting them use the cars for free, or at a low price, other than searching for people and collections to use other region vehicles
After owning an '05 SSR, which had the LS2, I can honestly say that I don't miss it. It had power, but thank GOD I was able to sell it for $2,000 less than what I paid for it. It was heavy and extremely small inside. The bed I liked, a lot for what I needed it it for, but overall, never again with I fall in an impulse buy.
El Camino - is there even a competition here? The only thing the SSR has going for it is that a factory stock one can be had dirt cheap. The SSR is the one to park in garage and hope that it appreciates before rust takes over and the non-replaceable fenders fall off.
Kinda' annoyed they didn't talk about load space. The SSR, I don't think you could get much in it at all. What with the short bed and hardtop taking up all the space.
You can't say that Camino is a bad car. 90% of Classic Muscle Cars, are awesome looking. On the other hand the old 69' Nissan Datsun 240Z's are amazingly cool aswell.
Never paid much attention to ssrs til I saw one parked the other day. Older guy original owner. Black bone stock but perfect...up close it was pretty cool Id own one. Had Caminos throughout most my life. Current one will be 30 yrs ownership in June. Cant believe its been that long chit.
Matt's taste is terrible imo. I was hype to watch this series in the beginning; but after every episode it became more and more obvious what car will win
I'm usually with Matt on these, but I grew up with a 1971 El Camino in the driveway. I don't care how well the SSR performs, I'd rather drive a stock El Camino with a 350 than the SSR.
I don't have the money to buy either of them but I can give my opinions. I personally like the front end of the SSR which others seem to hate so much but I think the "bed" is useless as it has less room than some hatchbacks. The El Camino is nice but I find Chevelles bland. The 454 rumble and torque is sweet but it never met a gas station it didn't love. So, if you wanted to give me one or the other I'd have to ask which one has the higher trade-in value as that is what I'd do with either one.
Living in England, I'd never even seen the SSR before, and I really like it!. If money was no object, I'd have both in my huge collection of cars. But I voted for the SSR because, although the El Camino is a looker, merely because of the pick up bed, I am just a little, and I mean a little, bored by the styling of the Chevelle. Though they are greatly improved with a good dose of lowering. (I have a HotWheels 69 Chevelle SS396)
The 05-06 SSRs with the 6.0L/6MT combo were alright, but these early 03-04 5.3L/4AT ones were just junk. In stock form they were embarrassingly slow. 7.7s 0-60 and a 15.9 1/4 mile is just pathetic. Even a family sedan of the same era, like a V6 Honda Accord, would absolutely spank them.
the SSR compared to its market counter parts, the HHR and the PT cruise is a hands down winner, it has v8 power and is a great little sport truck. now compared to a rat motor el camino there's really no comparison. huge chevy fan here, love them both.
The SSR was completely lawyered to death, it had something like 32 or so warning stickers for pinch points and everything else, everywhere you looked inside was a warning sticker. The price was atrocious for it at over $41k then up to like $48k with options. I think Chevy really dropped the ball on this by trying to make it resemble a 48 pickup. The elky is the only choice for me, granted it's honestly not as useful as a pickup either but neither is the SSR. The mileage of the elky is probably with in 5mpg of the SSR too.
Despite the 1958 model being my ultimate favorite, I definitely have to go w the 70 El Camino in every category you judged, however I find the convertible top on the SSR to be appealing, I feel there really should have been a convertible option for the El Camino during it's production years..
ssr is the worst sounding thing i have ever heard. it also looks stupid and no one really wanted it. the el camino sounded nice and performed as it should but maybe you should have gone ranchero instead :)
This isn't even a comparison. The SSR looks like a car and is priced like a Corvette but drives like a truck, and can't tow or haul like a truck. Having driven both vehicles, I'd take a ratty old El Camino over an SSR any day of the week. Camino hands down.
I own an 86 El Camino. The ssr is like trying to be a sport car with a bed. Yet the bed is super small and can not for much at all in it. I do have to agree that in like 20-30 years people might like them since they are considered collectables. Other then that nothing is really good about it.
Both cars are awesome in another way, The '70 El Camino 454 is like a Legend, another masterpiece of Chevrolet in the Chevelle generation. But the SSR is also a great car, I love the retro styling, top down or hardtop are 2 different cars in 1...what is kind off unique ! I like them both, they both are head turners !
I'll say it, I like the SSR. I liked it when it came out, and I like it now. I also think I fall into that category of people who like the El Camino until they see the rear half. I like it's functionality, but I think it's proportions are off or something, it just doesn't look right. If I could, I'd buy an SSR, I still want one.
ok first that ssr made me puke in my mouth a little and 2nd it has a 5 liter v8 WITH a supercharger and is only putting out 380hp?thats just shitty engineering
My uncles 5 speed 3.8 liter v6 mustang that has upgraded performance parts and a supercharger is pushing 440 hp it kinda makes that 5.8 ssr look like shit honestly
If it was a 2005 or 2006 model SSR with the 6.2 L with manual transmission it'll be a different story. In my opinion I like them both. The ssr is in the collector's Market and starting to get up there in price. The El Camino with 454 manual transmission is a very high dollar and highly collectible vehicle
The El Camino I drove wasn't a 1970 and for sure didn't have that huge honkin engine. But I just got my '04 SSR and I love it and really enjoy the ride and that it is a hard top/convertible. At 74, I don't need a huge honkin engine to get in trouble with and I enjoy the rumble the SSR gives me. So, I'm not choosing, I'm just saying I love my SSR.
What happened with the SSR is GM concepted as an entry level Retro styled cruiser built on the S10 Blazer platform hoping to cash in on the market created by the Chrysler PT Cruiser. By the time it hit the market it had morphed into a Corvette powered super truck with Corvette level pricing limiting its market appeal.
Not a fan of the SSR, Chevy did the retro thing using the '47-'55 Advanced Design pick-ups as inspiration, but it was neither a truck or a car, it was basically a showcar that made it to production with all the impracticality of a showcar IMO. The El Camino is a true legend and hit it's stride when GM decided to use the Chevelle platform. I'm still kicking myself as I had the chance to purchase a 1971 SS454 El Camino in silver with a black vinyl top and black stripes back in 1997. It was cherry and the asking price was $17K(same truck in same condition would probably be close to $35-40K nowadays), gas was still in the $1.50 range at the time too...... oh well.......
SSR, Fj Cruisers are beautiful cars I don't know why people think they're ugly I'd rather have something different instead of the cars on the road that all look identical
Well the SSR is unique in terms of its looks but the even though the El Camino has a more common 70's muscle look it has a great engine sound. The torque is pretty amazing in the El Camino, so I say El Camino in my opinion.
My grandfather had the 1970 SS EL Camino, but I could have sworn it had the 455cid under the hood. I could remember seeing the 455cid logo on the carb cover under the hood; and it had a auto trans also. I'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong about that. Nonetheless, I had gotten to drive that car one night to our local drive in way back in 1982.I was the master of the burnout contest that night. All my classmates were talking about that car that night. But, that was to be the last time I would drive it. My grandfather sold it about two weeks later. I wish I had that car now. It's worth a mint im sure.
Next season would it be possible for you guys to drive some old cars that aren't from one of the big three? There are so many interesting cars you could have used for your comparisons other than the usual suspects you selected this season. It would have been nice to see some more obscure vehicles from the likes of Studebaker, Nash, AMC, or Packard. Heck, it would even have been nice to see something like an MG, Triumph, or Alfa Romeo. Other than that I enjoy the show and say keep up the good work. As for this round, it's the El Camino hands down.
I love both trucks. Always loved the el camino sice a friend brought one to high school. I am drawn to 2 seat vehicles. I love roadsters. The drop top on the SSR is what makes it appealing. I checked out ine with 80,000 miles and it was a rattle trap.
I find the SSR goofy and cartoonish looking, but ya have to give GM credit for taking such a wild risk, at least. And a lot of people like the way it looks.
You guys made me want an SSR more. I always wondered if having the top down made that car more interesting. I did always like that car. And in black with the accents blacked out it is significantly more menacing. Gotta give it to the Camino though. Now next time try an El Camino against a Holden Maloo (if you can find one). That would be an interesting challenge.
The other day I met a guy with a el camino with a 454 bored to 500ci and stroked. It was pushing 650hp, when he left it completely roasted the tires through second. It had side pipes so it was ungodly loud.
that specific SSR looks good, I like all the blacked out chrome bits and I think its cool to have the hardtop convertible on the truck, However I can understand where everyone dislikes it in terms of appearances plus it was under powered from the factory that SSR with the super charger should be making AT LEAST 400HP out of a 5.3l v8
![Diggy Graves - Red Vineyard [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8Ro085T0mnQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I don't think it was a fair fight. I love the SSR, but the el Camino is a cult classic with a following that's huge. It takes an enthusiast to appreciate the SSR for what it is. I'd take the SSR. I like the el Camino as well though. Anything GM
5 Seconds watching this and already the obvious winner is the 1970 El Camino
Garage Legacy I agree it is a very beautiful car
I made it to 1:52. Game over.
as soon as i read the title i new the elco would win,i mean i have a 73 and there is nothing like a nice elco
Yep i agree on that statement luv the ELC!!
Haha can’t believe anyone could like that old piece of junk more than the awesome ssr
it's a 1970 el camino with a 454 and a 4 speed.. it wins.. don't even have to watch this comparison
lol was about to post the same.
It's a Chevy SSR...It never wins in anything haha
I'd have to agree... about the only place where you can say that the SSR is possibly better would be with ride and handling... but from an aesthetic and power train stand point the El Camino wins... no comparison... the SSR was always a little fuggle... and expensive... for the same price you could get the Camino... boom.
jeadelmann90 To me, when I think of the SSR, the Aztec also comes to mind haha
Adam Ciraco Oh come on at least the Aztec comes with Walter White... "Say my name!!!"
The SSR is very unique, I love the retro styling. Problem is that it was made as a truck but marketed and priced as a Corvette. No one in their right mind would use a Corvette as a work truck.
The El Camino on the other hand came in different trims and was more available to the "general public". It was sold for many years unlike the SSR. Yeah the bed is kinda off putting but it just seems more rugged and can do what it was meant to do back in it's time.
I love both choices but if I had to choose i'd go with the Elco.
***** how often does he get laughed at?
hahahhahaahaha you mean a gold digger magnet? who the fuck relies on a vehicle to get girls.. this sounds like a sad family.
***** I'm pretty sure you can buy a decent c5 corvette for 15k.
The SSR is definitely rarer but I'd still get a corvette.
first off, when did I say you're stupid for liking the SSR? second, the fact that I replied has nothing to do with me caring.. third, I replied because I can. fourth, you're more stupid than I originally thought.
***** haha.. no, anything after that was referring to your chick magnet statement.. you argue like a fucking woman.. you think everything is related and you just try to bring up different points when the others have been put down. lol, would you like me to correct you some more?
Supercharger whine sounds great WHEN there's actual engine noise behind it, and not just the sound of a hairdryer. ;)
My cousin owns a yellow SS/R. 2003, 5.3L V8, Borla straight exhaust, K&N filter and some other minor upgrades... People might say it's ugly but I think it is super cool! It's a Convertible pick up truck capable of hipnotizing many people with it's looks and awesome exhaust sound.
Something about the SSR makes me love it, especially the ls2 models pushing close to 400hp especially the oddity and the almost sleeper like truck
My neighbor has an SSR. That thing makes the best noises(car wise) I've ever heard.
The 1970 El Camino makes any nerd look like a movie star. The SSR looks like a PT Cruiser only worse.
actually drove one and neigbour owned it,its a curve to get to the point of really liking it.
in the grand scheme of things they should do a coupe mod and make it a convertible
coupe and not a "truckish thing"
7L supercharger v8 hemi in the ssr
Ultimate sleeper
I really dig the 2004 Chevy SSR, it gives me the vibe of a modern 1950 chevy truck
My dream car is a black 1970 El Camino I don't know why but since the first time i saw one I thought it was the coolsest car ever
It is sexy
+J Cole same here lol ther cool
As much as I love the SSR's retro styling, I couldn't live with its engine noise.
I'm with you I hate the sound of that style of super charger. I know many people love it but it's pure nails on the chalkboard hate to my ears. Plus it's less powerful than an stock LS2 SSR, that rumbles.
The fuck? How did the GNX loose?
Because it's ugly, and a overall piece of Junk in comparison.
Nah, no it's not. People are just idiots. For what it was, the GNX is the best American car from the 80s. Yes the Chevelle is SLIGHTLY more collectible, yes it has more power. BUT they are about the same in everything, 0-60, 1/4 time, etc. And the 69 is ugly. 1970 is where it's at.
Jordan Wiley I know they weren't as fast, but of the '80's cars I would take a Hurst Old's over a GNX any day. GNX's are nice cars though.
It has to be just the styling, I think the grand prix is the best looking Gbody.
Jordan Wiley Pontiac (for the most part) always had better looking ....everything...
As an SSR owner, I completely agree... it's an entirely different ride with the top down. It dives like it was made to go topless and I get tons of "hey what's that", or thumbs up, or pictures just about anywhere I go. As for the supercharger... I will have to pass on that loud whining sound. I'm loving the growl mine makes and there is plenty of power to get into trouble with. Besides, the 2005 and 2006 SSRs were upgraded to the 400hp LS1 motor so no need for the supercharger. I'm not saying it's better than the El Camino. That car is an awesome classic onto itself. I can say my SSR is a blast an one of the funnest cars I have owned.
I dive the GM version of the Elky, but I can appreciate the SSR too. They're both cool fun rides.
ssr has a classic old school look, its unique , not one bit ugly to me, There's A LOT of cars that were asf back 50+ years ago, now collectable worth thousands
2005-06 had a 390 hp Ls2, you procharge it and it will make that thing run.
I think the '05 & '06 SSR's are going to be HUGE collectibles in the future like the nomads and woodies are now, except they will have nostalgia and big power! Way cool convertible cruiser, especially with a 6-speed!
the ls2 for an have 390 it has 400 !?
Just watched the end...I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE VISTA CRUISER. Thank you SO MUCH!!!
The next episode should be a good one. That Vista Cruiser is AWESOME!
Keegan...way to see you on RUclips. It's @v8_or_die
This is how I pass the time in school. Haha! Wish I had the motivation to get a RUclips channel going. Oh well, Instagram's my thing. :D
I have always felt the SSR looked like a vw beetle convertible and a pt cruiser had a baby. Only problem, I don't know who was on top.
The SSR with the top down, in my opinion, makes it look bad, but with the top up it gives it a nice retro 50s style look.
El camino.. all day. Every day...
It's a little hard to compete with the cream of the crop El Camino, who wouldn't want one.....but there is something to be said for newer technology, convertible top, and the most seriously unique styling in years. I noticed the comment/complaint about engine noise in the SSR..... This noise was from an add-on supercharger, and the Camino could have just as easily sounded the same, had the owner chose to go in that direction (pay attention much?). Personally I prefer turbo spool over blower wine, but either way there is no relevance to the factory version of the engine.
I love the ssr. It's so weird like what was gm thinking when they made it???
Le me get this straight the 2004 Chevy SSR has a supercharged 5.3 L V8 that makes only 385 Hp? How did they manage to get that few horse power? What is the supercharger doing? Decreasing the power?
Chevy SSR vs PT Cruiser, for worlds ugliest car
CMON DUDE !!!! SSR is a better looking car than PT cruiser ........... Both suck but :P
Not by much. At least the powertrain is better.
Exactly, SSR atleast had a v8
Yes
***** don't forget the toyota fj cruiser and heinzenbergs Pontiac Aztek
I've seen a red SSR once. It's the only one I've ever seen. It was pretty neat. I also have a scale model of a red one.
I thought these guys were supposed to be informed. The SSR wasnt gm going all out. It was yet another one of those amazing GM concepts that was fumbled for no good apparent reason. People wanted the lightweight 400 horsepower concept. People didn't want the overweight anemic SSR. The 5.3l made something like 280hp... On a car thay weighed well over 4000 lbs. They half assed it and they got half assed sales.
The last two years came with a LS2 with 400 hp.
Although in 2005 they did release one with the 6.0L and it was better in performance, but yeah it was still heavy and handled like a pig.
Venomxjjb it handled like crud because GM based it off a truck platform, instead of a car platform.
for some reason the Big 3 came out with these amazing cars in the late 90s-early 2000, but yet dropped the ball on every one of them. the Prowler- great car, but they dropped in an underpowered V6 with an automatic (instead of the concept's V8). the Chevy SSR- built it off a truck platform, making weigh more and handle like crud. the last gen Thunderbird- built off a full-size Lincoln platform and loaded it to the gills with options and sound deadening and a releatively weak engine. Dodge Charger- 1999 concept had a modern version of the 68-70 Charger as a 4-door coupe, 2005 Charger ends up being a modern Polara renamed Charger and looks like the box the 99 Charger concept came in (they have inproved the styling a little bit now)
The SSR was one of the reasons GM needed to be bailed out financially. Money and man-hours spent on a novelty vehicle whilst their mass production cars lagged behind the competition. The SSR should have remained a concept.
TiconderogaX I'm guessing you condensed your entire point of view in to the word "Ugh". Or that's the extent of your communication skills. Same difference. My comment still stands.
I had two Elco's and had a great time with them both. 65' and 71' 327, 411's and 350 Hi Po with 454'a respectively. Ladder bars were a must to keep traction off the line and they both were NOT a disappointment when going up against other Muscle Cars.
Can you really count the SSR as a pickup?
Yeah it has a reasonable truck bed space
Both beautiful and unique vehicles. With that said I'd definitely pick the El Camino.
I really like the cars the feature, but it would be nice if they would sometimes do anything else than american muscle cars. I mean they are really great, but the big innovations in technology and design are somewhere else. It´s just, when Americans do something about cars it´s always only about american cars.
i agree, my favourate cars of all time are muscle cars but i would like to see some variety on the show. would love to see a comparison of the the Toyota gt86 vs ae86 or te27sprinter
They have done other stuff bmw vs miata look it up
I would say this is a good balancer considering how the automotive media works. I mean, how many times have you heard or seen a video about the Panoz Esperante GTR-1? Or the Vector W8?
I think it's because they are in this guy's garage. He is an American with a lot of money that grew up with American cars, so he has a lot of rarities and they are getting those out of the way now before they start using cars from somewhere else.
Also, you shouldn't expect an American based show to have as much access to rarer and older EU cars. I would also wager that the majority of the viewers live in the US.
Don't get me wrong though, I agree that they should change it up a bit. I would love it if they could travel to other countries to compare some of their older or rarer models, but I don't think they have the time, connections or investment to do that.
The only reason why they've mainly only been on American cars, is because Lingenfelter is letting them use the cars for free, or at a low price, other than searching for people and collections to use other region vehicles
How about you guy's do a Saab Sonett vs a Mazda Miata!!
After owning an '05 SSR, which had the LS2, I can honestly say that I don't miss it. It had power, but thank GOD I was able to sell it for $2,000 less than what I paid for it. It was heavy and extremely small inside. The bed I liked, a lot for what I needed it it for, but overall, never again with I fall in an impulse buy.
You did good selling it and only being down that much. Owner of the dealer I worked for had the 5.3 sold it eventually and lost 10K.
El Camino - is there even a competition here? The only thing the SSR has going for it is that a factory stock one can be had dirt cheap. The SSR is the one to park in garage and hope that it appreciates before rust takes over and the non-replaceable fenders fall off.
You got a point 😂
unless if you know how to shape sheetmetal into a fender
How can you hate the Looks of the SSR I always loved it its awesome.
Kinda' annoyed they didn't talk about load space. The SSR, I don't think you could get much in it at all. What with the short bed and hardtop taking up all the space.
Big_Adam_2050 like they said about all you could haul in ssr is some gof clubs
I'll take em both. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
even though im an import guy, el camino by far
You can't say that Camino is a bad car. 90% of Classic Muscle Cars, are awesome looking. On the other hand the old 69' Nissan Datsun 240Z's are amazingly cool aswell.
I don't care what anyone says, the SSR was Chevrolet's Best Mistake ever.
It certainly is my personal favorite.
el Camino!!! my dream car
soon ill be owning one. 👍
thats wassup man. i remember when i was saying that and now i finally have it. its possible
Yea. It is possible. I'm mostly interested in classics. No later then 2000. I definitely want the 1970. Thanks man! 💪
Im glad! I am super happy for you! I hope you like it.
Picking up one in two weeks its an 87 ss
Randycandy ohhhh you lucky. Treat it right 💪👍
My mom owns a 1980 el Camino, but my grandpa is fixing it up. We're in California and he's in El Paso
So they had to upgrade the newer car so it can have more horsepower the the older
Depends the year the 05 to 06 got an ls2 with 390
Never paid much attention to ssrs til I saw one parked the other day. Older guy original owner.
Black bone stock but perfect...up close it was pretty cool Id own one.
Had Caminos throughout most my life. Current one will be 30 yrs ownership in June. Cant believe its been that long chit.
Matt's taste is terrible imo. I was hype to watch this series in the beginning; but after every episode it became more and more obvious what car will win
SSR All the way, I usually prefer classics but I love the look of the Chevy SSR
Twin screw superchargers >centrifugal superchargers and ssr automatically looses because its automatic
i owned a 59 el camino and i have to say i love both the SSR and El camino
What in the actual fuck is that? El camino all day.
I'm usually with Matt on these, but I grew up with a 1971 El Camino in the driveway. I don't care how well the SSR performs, I'd rather drive a stock El Camino with a 350 than the SSR.
I don't have the money to buy either of them but I can give my opinions. I personally like the front end of the SSR which others seem to hate so much but I think the "bed" is useless as it has less room than some hatchbacks. The El Camino is nice but I find Chevelles bland. The 454 rumble and torque is sweet but it never met a gas station it didn't love. So, if you wanted to give me one or the other I'd have to ask which one has the higher trade-in value as that is what I'd do with either one.
Living in England, I'd never even seen the SSR before, and I really like it!. If money was no object, I'd have both in my huge collection of cars. But I voted for the SSR because, although the El Camino is a looker, merely because of the pick up bed, I am just a little, and I mean a little, bored by the styling of the Chevelle. Though they are greatly improved with a good dose of lowering. (I have a HotWheels 69 Chevelle SS396)
The 05-06 SSRs with the 6.0L/6MT combo were alright, but these early 03-04 5.3L/4AT ones were just junk. In stock form they were embarrassingly slow. 7.7s 0-60 and a 15.9 1/4 mile is just pathetic. Even a family sedan of the same era, like a V6 Honda Accord, would absolutely spank them.
the SSR compared to its market counter parts, the HHR and the PT cruise is a hands down winner, it has v8 power and is a great little sport truck. now compared to a rat motor el camino there's really no comparison. huge chevy fan here, love them both.
The king of the jungle should roar. Not whistle
You have to chose the El Camino. Such a classic and it doesn't look horribly ugly.
The SSR was completely lawyered to death, it had something like 32 or so warning stickers for pinch points and everything else, everywhere you looked inside was a warning sticker. The price was atrocious for it at over $41k then up to like $48k with options. I think Chevy really dropped the ball on this by trying to make it resemble a 48 pickup. The elky is the only choice for me, granted it's honestly not as useful as a pickup either but neither is the SSR. The mileage of the elky is probably with in 5mpg of the SSR too.
I love my SSr. Have since day one. You forget. Convertible with power and modern engineering. Muscle, I get it but Modern, Unique, Roadster
@ 7:21 lol,look at how they spelled performance
Despite the 1958 model being my ultimate favorite, I definitely have to go w the 70 El Camino in every category you judged, however I find the convertible top on the SSR to be appealing, I feel there really should have been a convertible option for the El Camino during it's production years..
ssr is the worst sounding thing i have ever heard. it also looks stupid and no one really wanted it. the el camino sounded nice and performed as it should but maybe you should have gone ranchero instead :)
I love, and want, both of these "trucks". Would prefer the SSR with a manual.
This isn't even a comparison. The SSR looks like a car and is priced like a Corvette but drives like a truck, and can't tow or haul like a truck. Having driven both vehicles, I'd take a ratty old El Camino over an SSR any day of the week. Camino hands down.
El Camino wins BIG here! I have a 1971 LS3 396/402 Big Block and it also rocks!
No contest. El Camino wins.
Ik ryt
I own an 86 El Camino. The ssr is like trying to be a sport car with a bed. Yet the bed is super small and can not for much at all in it. I do have to agree that in like 20-30 years people might like them since they are considered collectables. Other then that nothing is really good about it.
The ssr looks like a piece of poop....gross. They should have sold it with a paper bag with eye holes.
Both cars are awesome in another way,
The '70 El Camino 454 is like a Legend, another masterpiece of Chevrolet in the Chevelle generation.
But the SSR is also a great car, I love the retro styling, top down or hardtop are 2 different cars in 1...what is kind off unique !
I like them both, they both are head turners !
In my opinion the SSR is one of the ugliest trucks ever designed. Seems like a love or hate it kinda thing.
im pretty sure its all hate haha
Power Stroker It doesn't float my boat.
The Chevy SSR is beautiful in design, but who would own such a thing? The 1970 El Camino stands out more.
why not the holden HSV ute/pickup?
Not available in the USA. it would be awesome if they were though Lone Wanderer
Akil Hodge I know, but come on that PT cruiser looking thing is horrid how can that even compare to that el camino
I know man lol Lone Wanderer
I'll say it, I like the SSR. I liked it when it came out, and I like it now. I also think I fall into that category of people who like the El Camino until they see the rear half. I like it's functionality, but I think it's proportions are off or something, it just doesn't look right.
If I could, I'd buy an SSR, I still want one.
that ssr is horrid
Love both, but love the SSR!
My neighbor owned an SSR. I swear it brought down property values. Its not a pretty car.
hahahaha thats cold but true
It's a beautiful vehicle. El Camonio's on the other hand are ugly as fuck, always have been, only thing uglier than an el camino was a ranchero.
I really miss watching this show, do they still make episodes???
The SSR looks shit and sounds shit!
Agreed!
I second that
I like supercharger whine but not so Much that I can't hear the engine
My nissan has twin turbo, good story.
Angel Rodriguez cool story bro
That Vista Cruiser is AMAZING. Saw it on Power Tour....PLEASE do a video with it!!
ok first that ssr made me puke in my mouth a little and 2nd it has a 5 liter v8 WITH a supercharger and is only putting out 380hp?thats just shitty engineering
at the wheels, on low boost. Really it's making around 500hp and over 500tq
My uncles 5 speed 3.8 liter v6 mustang that has upgraded performance parts and a supercharger is pushing 440 hp it kinda makes that 5.8 ssr look like shit honestly
How exactly Brandon Green ? This SSR is still faster than your uncle's V6 Mustang.
If it was a 2005 or 2006 model SSR with the 6.2 L with manual transmission it'll be a different story. In my opinion I like them both. The ssr is in the collector's Market and starting to get up there in price. The El Camino with 454 manual transmission is a very high dollar and highly collectible vehicle
The ssr looks amazing but the 454 looks better
The SSR is both roadster and truck . Wow ! Nice .
The El Camino I drove wasn't a 1970 and for sure didn't have that huge honkin engine. But I just got my '04 SSR and I love it and really enjoy the ride and that it is a hard top/convertible. At 74, I don't need a huge honkin engine to get in trouble with and I enjoy the rumble the SSR gives me. So, I'm not choosing, I'm just saying I love my SSR.
I think the el camino, is an all around beautiful car!
What happened with the SSR is GM concepted as an entry level Retro styled cruiser built on the S10 Blazer platform hoping to cash in on the market created by the Chrysler PT Cruiser. By the time it hit the market it had morphed into a Corvette powered super truck with Corvette level pricing limiting its market appeal.
Hands down, the "Elco" is just plain cool !
Not a fan of the SSR, Chevy did the retro thing using the '47-'55 Advanced Design pick-ups as inspiration, but it was neither a truck or a car, it was basically a showcar that made it to production with all the impracticality of a showcar IMO.
The El Camino is a true legend and hit it's stride when GM decided to use the Chevelle platform. I'm still kicking myself as I had the chance to purchase a 1971 SS454 El Camino in silver with a black vinyl top and black stripes back in 1997. It was cherry and the asking price was $17K(same truck in same condition would probably be close to $35-40K nowadays), gas was still in the $1.50 range at the time too...... oh well.......
SSR, Fj Cruisers are beautiful cars I don't know why people think they're ugly I'd rather have something different instead of the cars on the road that all look identical
Well the SSR is unique in terms of its looks but the even though the El Camino has a more common 70's muscle look it has a great engine sound. The torque is pretty amazing in the El Camino, so I say El Camino in my opinion.
Being in a SSR at a young age, it still is pretty fast and not absolutely huge, for a daily driver it’s perfect
i prefer the 69 Chevelle/Camino
I voted for the SSR, it's unique! and I acutally like their looks XD
My grandfather had the 1970 SS EL Camino, but I could have sworn it had the 455cid under the hood. I could remember seeing the 455cid logo on the carb cover under the hood; and it had a auto trans also. I'm sure someone will correct me if i'm wrong about that.
Nonetheless, I had gotten to drive that car one night to our local drive in way back in 1982.I was the master of the burnout contest that night. All my classmates were talking about that car that night. But, that was to be the last time I would drive it. My grandfather sold it about two weeks later. I wish I had that car now. It's worth a mint im sure.
Chevy had the 454, never a 455. Although, ever other GM division had a 455, Buick, Olds, Pontiac etc.
I wounder then if my grandfathers car had a swapped out engine in it or was that even possible. Nonetheless, I had a great time in that car.
Ricky McGill yeah definitely possible
Hate Tars but still watched it. That's how you know this a great show.
Next season would it be possible for you guys to drive some old cars that aren't from one of the big three? There are so many interesting cars you could have used for your comparisons other than the usual suspects you selected this season. It would have been nice to see some more obscure vehicles from the likes of Studebaker, Nash, AMC, or Packard. Heck, it would even have been nice to see something like an MG, Triumph, or Alfa Romeo. Other than that I enjoy the show and say keep up the good work. As for this round, it's the El Camino hands down.
I just started looking at this show and it seems like old will always win
I love both trucks. Always loved the el camino sice a friend brought one to high school. I am drawn to 2 seat vehicles. I love roadsters. The drop top on the SSR is what makes it appealing. I checked out ine with 80,000 miles and it was a rattle trap.
SAme...Caminos older vettes, AMX...perfect bachelor car. Ladies wont get any big idears about putting kids in the back
Thank you god! lol
I find the SSR goofy and cartoonish looking, but ya have to give GM credit for taking such a wild risk, at least. And a lot of people like the way it looks.
You guys made me want an SSR more. I always wondered if having the top down made that car more interesting. I did always like that car. And in black with the accents blacked out it is significantly more menacing. Gotta give it to the Camino though. Now next time try an El Camino against a Holden Maloo (if you can find one). That would be an interesting challenge.
That el camino man... just a sweet ride... very nice looking car.
The other day I met a guy with a el camino with a 454 bored to 500ci and stroked. It was pushing 650hp, when he left it completely roasted the tires through second. It had side pipes so it was ungodly loud.
ElCo for the win. Hands down. The SSR doesn't even begin to compare
that specific SSR looks good, I like all the blacked out chrome bits and I think its cool to have the hardtop convertible on the truck, However I can understand where everyone dislikes it in terms of appearances plus it was under powered from the factory that SSR with the super charger should be making AT LEAST 400HP out of a 5.3l v8
The El Camino hands down!!!