Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Editor's note: This is part of a series at KSL.com featuring some of Utah's coolest cars. If you own a customized vehicle — from sports cars to semitrucks — email fjolley@ksl.com with a photo of the vehicle and a brief description for consideration.DRAPER — Draper resident Bill Pascucci credits a 1972 El Camino SS with saving his marriage.
The relationship struggles began when he left his boat in Florida to move to Utah for his wife’s job. He said he went into a funk around that time, and he and his wife separated.
In 2011, he saw the El Camino in his friend’s impound yard. Pascucci paid the fees and took it home. He cleaned it up and took it to some local car shows. He started meeting people at the shows and enjoyed their camaraderie, stories and tips.
Pascucci then began co-sponsoring shows benefiting different organizations including Day of Hope, Make-A-Wish, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wounded Warriors and the YWCA. He said the shows allowed him to see a whole new world where the people were like family. He said he attends 12-15 shows a month.
After going to all the shows, Pascucci’s basic El Camino just wouldn’t do anymore. Since he bought it, he’s swapped the engine for a 400 small-block, now running through a four-speed automatic. He’s added racing parts, including an aggressive cam, to now claim 410 horsepower to the wheels.
Inside, he installed his own custom interior with bucket seats, center console, digital gauges and a 2,000-watt stereo that lets him crank up the Frank Sinatra. It won the Custom Pickup class at an Autorama show in 2017.
Maybe it was building his own car, maybe it was meeting the people at the car shows and seeing their different takes on life, but Pascucci said he got out of his self-described funk, his wife noticed the difference in him, and the two reconciled.
Their marriage and his El Camino are now stronger than ever. The El Camino is getting some intake and exhaust work done during the off-season and should be ready for next year’s shows in late March.
Brian Champagne has reported on cars for more than nine years. He holds a master's degree in communications from the University of the Pacific and teaches at Utah State University. Contact him at iaabfl@yahoo.com.
