With summer season winding down within the northern hemisphere, now is an efficient time to revisit the previous American pastime of heading to the lake with the boat in tow for a weekend of enjoyable. In 2023, the ramps are filled with pickups and SUVs lugging pontoons or private watercraft, and that is completely nice. Within the Nineteen Sixties, nevertheless, Chevrolet had one thing a bit completely different in thoughts. And by completely different, we imply superior in each doable approach.
That is the (deep breath) 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle El Camino Surfer I convertible idea. GM Design not too long ago shared a few photographs on Instagram, and we had been so enthusiastic about a roofless El Camino towing a floating, straight-piped V8 that we contacted the Basic Motors Heritage Archives for extra data.
Picture Credit score: GM Heritage Archive
The story is fairly simple: Chevrolet executives needed to showcase a brand new high-performance V8 engine popping out for the 1966 mannequin 12 months. So engineers lopped the roof off an El Camino, dropped the engine into each the automotive and a cool boat, and despatched it out on the auto present circuit.
In fact, there’s far more to the story than that.
Perusing authentic 1965 press bulletins despatched to Motor1.com, we study this venture was all about showcasing Chevrolet’s then-new 396 cubic-inch (6.5-liter) V8. The engine was put in within the El Camino, however to present it a bit extra visibility (figuratively and actually) it was additionally utilized in a {custom} Gaylord ski boat. Authentic paperwork state the engine made 425 horsepower, and within the boat, it was fitted with “particular person chrome plated exhaust stacks for environment friendly exhaust expulsion.” We suspect the straight pipes had been additionally environment friendly in inflicting momentary listening to loss, however hey. There are worse methods to bust eardrums.
Picture Credit score: GM Heritage Archive
The El Camino tow automobile, along with having its roof lopped off, was additionally lowered. The {custom} roof-ectomy required particular aspect pillars that merely ended on the prime of the glass, and spotlights had been put in on the doorways as a result of that is what everybody did within the ’60s. In line with a nautical theme, there’s precise wooden trim on the automotive’s rocker panels, tailgate, and mattress. It blends with a pearlescent white exterior and contrasting purple inside, and the colours are carried over to the boat in addition to the custom-designed trailer.
This eye-catching idea rig not solely showcased the brand new V8, however helped unfold the phrase about Chevrolet’s involvement with marine engines. The archived press data reminds us that the automaker was a significant provider within the marine phase, and the 396 would go on to appreciable success in that discipline. As for this explicit straight-piped ski boat, we don’t know if it ever reached the water. If that’s the case, our condolences to the ears of anybody inside a half-mile radius.
For that matter, we don’t know what occurred to the whole Surfer I idea, automotive and boat. Hand-written notes on the unique press launch state it was proven on the 1965 Chicago Auto Present and later on the New York World’s Truthful. A consultant from the GM archives confirms it isn’t within the firm’s assortment. Additional sleuthing on the web turned up comparable useless ends, which suggests it might have been crushed a very long time in the past.
However, for one temporary second within the mid-Nineteen Sixties, Chevrolet had a supremely superior remedy for {the summertime} blues.
