The Surfer I concept introduced Cheʋrolet’s new 396 cu-inch engine and we all heard it.

With summer winding down in the northern hemisphere, now is a good time to return to the old American pastime of taking the boat to the lake for a fun weekend. In 2023, the ramps are filled with pickup trucks and SUVs towing pontoons or personal watercraft, and that’s completely fine. However, in the 1960s, Cheʋrolet had something different in mind. And being different, we seem great in every possible way.

This is (deep breath) the 1965 Cheʋrolet Cheʋelle El Camino Surfer I title concept. GM Design recently shared a few images on Instagram and we’re loving a roofless El Camino towing a floating V8, straight pipes so we contacted General Motors Heritage Archiʋes for more information.

The story is pretty simple: Cheʋrolet executives wanted to introduce a new high-performance V8 engine coming for the 1966 model year. So engineers removed the roof of an El Camino, dropped the engine into the car and a cool boat, then send it out on the car show circuit.

Of course, there’s more to the story than that.

Looking through the original 1965 press releases sent to Motor1.com, we learn that this project was all about showcasing Cheʋrolet’s new 396-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) V8 engine. The engine was installed on the El Camino, but to give it more versatility (figuratively and literally), it was also used in a custom Gaylord ski boat. The original documents say the engine produces 425 horsepower and in the engine part, it is equipped with a “separate chrome-plated exhaust pipe for efficient exhaust exhaust”. We doubt that straight tubes are as effective in causing temporary hearing loss, but hey. There are worse ways to clean your eardrums.

The El Camino trailer, in addition to having its roof blown off, was also lowered. The custom roof structure required special side pillars that simply ended at the top of the glass and lights that were installed on the doors because that’s what people did in the 60s. To keep with the theme nautical, featuring realistic wood trim on the vehicle’s rocker panels, tailgate and rocker panels. It features a pearl white exterior and contrasting red interior, and the colors are carried over to the boat and custom-designed trailer.

This eye-catching concept rig not only showcases the new V8 engine but also helps spread the word about Cheʋolʋement’s products with marine engines. Archived press information reminds us that the automaker is a major player in the marine automotive segment and that the 396 will continue to enjoy significant success in that sector. As for this particular straight tube ski boat, we don’t know if it will reach the water or not. If so, we send our condolences to the ears of anyone within a half-mile radius.

For that matter, we don’t know what happened to the whole idea, car and boat of the Surfer I. Handwritten notes on the original press release said it was on display at the Show Chicago Automobile in 1965 and then at the New York World’s Fair. A representative from the GM archives confirmed that it is not in the company’s collection. Further investigation on the internet also uncovered similar dead ends, which suggests it may have been crushed long ago.

However, for a brief moment in the mid-1960s, Cheʋrolet had an amazing cure for the last of his problems.