Why is 1973 El Camino less desired?

[radinsocal]

I see that the parts sites don't have much for the years 73-77, why is that? And I've seen comments to the effect that they aren't as desirable as other years, why? I look for answers, so be honest and let me know.

I own a '73, and so far it's doing it's job.

[MrPbody]

Rad,

To be brutally honest, the '73-'77 A-body, in general, not just Elky, is a major rattle-trap POS. They're bigger and heavier than any of the previous models. They're borderline ugly (certain angles and certain trim packages aren't bad). Some are downright FUGLY. They were AFTER the "muscle car era". They had anemic engines and big bumpers...

Now, beauty is in the eye of the beerholder, so that one is purely subjective. But the overall quality of construction was woeful. Again, not JUST El Camino, but ALL GM "A-bodies" of that era. I've never driven one, even when it was "low miles", that wasn't a rattler. The windows are loose in the channels. The door frames don't QUITE "fit", so the doors bounce up and down with road shock. The "side guard door beams" make the doors EXTREMELY heavy, too, adding to the bounce problem. The materials used for head liners and weather stripping were short-lifed. The paint "falls off". These "issues" are present in most of GM's offerings of the mid-'70s. Even Trans Am (the premiere GM performance car of the "post muscle era") was a rattle trap.

Don't get me wrong. These cars are VERY tough, just sloppy. And the horsepower issue is easy enough to remedy, especially with the Chevy and Pontiac. I knew one man with a '73 SS454 Chevelle, that with some rather minor "tuning", went deep into the 12s. If one were to do major surgery, anything that a BBC can do, can be done with that chassis.

Jim

[Carsrcool100]

These cars arnt realy nice models at all. MrPbody says it all. But as long as you are happy with it it is a awesome car.

['97ventureowner]

Where have you looked for parts? I used to see plenty of companies that offer both OEM and aftermarket parts for the '70s GM A bodied vehicles, El Camino included. Hemmings Motor News has ads for some of these companies as well as many of the car hobbyists magazines. Also check for car clubs that specialize in these vehicles as they can be a means of sources for parts and info on where to purchase them.
On the discussion of popularity, there were many things that caused the decrease in popularity post '72. Tightening emission standards and the Arab oil embargo turned many people away from these vehicles and towards imports and smaller vehicles. That along with reasons given in the above posts ,( quality issues, end of the Muscle Car era, etc) all had their hand in the matter. perhaps as time goes on and the supply of older vehicles dwindles these vehicles along with others from this era will gain some favorability amongst car hobbyists and parts suppliers alike.

[radinsocal]

Thanks you guy's, you identified the main probs I've been experiencing. I feel I need to stroke the engine somehow, but the bank account says that I need to seek economical solutions. I have the window problem on the passenger side, really bad. I think maybe Intake, Manifold and exhaust would help it some huh?

[relic7680]

I've had 4 '76 Elkys and a '76 GMC Sprint. The '64-'72 crowd will continue to bash on the '73-'77 models while their cars become overpriced stereotypes. Just keep rolling the '73 and hit up the ebay and parts cars for those hard to find bits. Good luck.

[radinsocal]

Thanks, I do like my EC.