This Pat Musi-powered El Camino is built for road racing

Words and Photos: Cam Benty

When we first heard about this cool El Camino, we figured it was a street cruiser. Frankly, it’s rare when anyone builds an El Camino for anything more than boulevard cruising, or the occasional rip down the quarter mile. But a road racing El Camino — ridiculous, right?

Wrong.

The “truck” was built by Tim and Paul Henry, who leveraged their racing connection with Pat Musi for one of his strongest, streetable engines. The Henrys had the right background for the install; Tim pilots the brothers’ ConQuest Concrete-sponsored street/Pro Mod Firebird in quarter-mile competition, while Paul serves as his most dedicated pit crew member.

The El Camino features a cowl induction hood and pins, both which came standard from the factory with the SS package.

The most recent fruits of their relationship is this stunningly detailed ’72 El Camino that sports some serious power-generating equipment, not the least of which is the Pat Musi-created 509c.i. big-block Chevy engine. With 685 hp under hood, this El Camino is more than capable of tearing up the grippy Continental performance street tires.

Behind the amazing engine is a five-speed Tremec trans commanded by a Hurst shifter. The rear end is a GM 12-bolt outfitted with an Auburn posi unit, 3.55:1 ratio gearing, and Moser 31-spline axles. Big 13-inch Wilwood front discs with six-piston calipers are perfectly matched for the 12-inch discs with four-piston calipers stationed in the rear. A Hydratech braking system with a Wilwood master cylinder greatly enhance the braking.

The suspension sports the best of all components, including full-on Hotchkis and Global West components — perfect for the intended road racing purposes. An AGR quick ratio steering box is there to help.

For protection and frame stiffening, an in-cab roll cage was installed, along with Corbeau seats and racing belts. The dashboard was restored and then upfitted with Dakota Digital gauges. A complete sound system makes it comfy up front. Maaco applied the gloss black paint to the completely stripped panels, along with the classic cowl hood striping. Chrome Z28 wheels belie the car’s impressive talents; it uses raw power to surprise many a Porsche in stoplight and cornering competitions.

So much for thinking El Caminos can only go straight!

The interior is a blend of form and function. A complete roll bar setup is fitted to the back of the cab and the Corbeau seats and five-point harness keep occupants in their seats in hard cornering moves. The Hurst shifter commands the five-speed Tremec transmission.