Friends Don't Let Friends Drive El Caminos

The Hugger Orange '69 Camaro drives as good as it looks

It was an exciting day of driving as Bill reluctantly relinquished the Camaro keys to me for our cruise through the rural backroads of Alabama and Georgia on our 300-mile trip to Greenville, SC. The Hugger Orange Camaro SS is enough to make a hot rodder’s mouth water. It slid through the forested Southern woods on Highway 78 with the hood louvers glistening in the sun, while the cammed-up 350 with headers growled along, snarling occasionally at pedestrians as I down-shifted the four-speed through small town intersections.

David followed behind on the Triumph Thruxton Ace, enjoying the hills and curves and when we stopped for a quick Wendy's lunch we all agreed this was the most pleasant drive so far.

Wendy's for a quick lunch

I had warned Bill prior to trading him for the Camaro that our beloved El Camino had some backfiring issues at certain points under acceleration. At the first gas stop, I could tell he thought I had slipped him an automotive mickey when he said loudly to everyone within ear shot: “This El Camino has issues!”

Bill and Ben trying to enjoy the El Camino mickey I slipped them

I quickly jumped back in the Camaro, locking the door and claiming squatter’s rights and we drove on to Greenville, SC. There we were greeted in the cold Yard House parking lot by a few hearty classic car aficianados, including our host, Michelin's Brian Remsberg, and his three sons.

A hearty group braving the Greenvile, SC cold

After an excellent dinner, we retired early knowing we have four stops to make tomorrow. It’s showtime, and you can be guaranteed our Drive Home III crew we’ll be raring to go!

Dinner at the Yard House