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STZ 1970 El Camino Build

Well, I took care of the "official" introduction in the New Member section, so I'll skip that here.

So, this particular customer brought us an extremely clean 1970 El Camino. Almost zero rust, ran great, etc. He just wanted us to align the panels a little better, clean her up, and paint it. Well, as many projects do, it snowballed. Nothing super-crazy, just a lot more than the original plan. I did a few renderings for him, and we decided on a mild PT build.

We really didnt like all the trim around the bed rails that cover the factory pinch welds. We decided to trim all that out along with the factory tail lights and all the crap on the tail gate.

Sucked the rear bumper in just a bit and narrowed it 3/4". A little reshaping and tightening up the gaps.

To follow the smooth look of the body, we transplanted a set of late model Toyota handles.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC005.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC006.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC008.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC009.jpg

After contemplating how to exit the exhaust, we decided on a cutout in the body behind the rear wheel opening. Made a set of tips to fit the bill. More on those later...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC010.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC011.jpg

Got the radiator mounted, shroud and close-out almost done. Still undecided on whether to keep it brushed or 60% gloss black.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC037.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC036.jpg

Motor is done. Chassis and parts back from p/c. Startin' to put the puzzle back together.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC022.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC025.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC028.jpg

Not a lot of chrome or polish going on this build. On the exterior, other than the wheels, the only polish will be the trim around the windshield and rear glass, the trim around the two grill openings, and the ehaust tips. All of which are rectangle in shape. This is it for the brightwork. Off to chrome...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC040.jpg

Tips are done...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC029.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC030.jpg

Final blocking.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC042.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC041.jpg

Nice work.

Don't see too many El Camino's being built these days.

Thanks Swain. Yea, we were excited about doing a PT El Camino. Owner wanted something a little different.

Finally got some pictures organized.

The owner wanted a simple 5 spoke design. The 18x8 and 19x10 Intro Pentias will work well...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC056.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC026.jpg

Chassis is almost complete. Chris Alston coilover conversion front and rear. Basic Wilwood set-up.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC023.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC024.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...mino/EC027.jpg

You have a very build coming along here.:thumbsup:

If you get a chance could you post more pics of the bed trim part as I am also doing an elcamino and want to remove most of the chrome trim. Damn that thing is going to be sick when it’s done.

Thanks fellas. It has been a fun project and has built a great freindship.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rallystyle (Post 383890)

If you get a chance could you post more pics of the bed trim part as I am also doing an elcamino and want to remove most of the chrome trim. Damn that thing is going to be sick when it’s done.

Yes, I sure can. I'll have to dig them up, but I will.

Looking good so far. I like the changes you've made. I think they'll update the look of the truck nicely.

Love your work :thumbsup:

It's providing inspiration for my 68 build. Is your body stand Elky specific? I need to build one and looking for some dimensions.

Like you I'll be getting rid of most the chrome, my glass guy reckons he has some universal black moulding that would do the front & rear screens. I havnt seen it yet but hoping it's good quality.

Subscribed :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSSix (Post 383959)

Looking good so far. I like the changes you've made. I think they'll update the look of the truck nicely.

Thanks man. Yea, nothing too crazy, but like you said, they should lend to the "modern" look. Simple and clean.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmo (Post 383984)

Awww. Thank you.

No, the stand is just one of our many simple body carts that we made provisions to bolt the body to. We dont do many of these, so we dont have a vehicle-specific cart for it. First gen camaros are a different story though. We do more of those.

I'd love to see your 68!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DENTGUY (Post 384068)

BLACK:thumbsup:

is beautiful !!! :thumbsup:

Looks like someone knows how to paint a car.

Tonny

Quote:

Originally Posted by DENTGUY (Post 384068)

BLACK:thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by jy211 (Post 384083)

is beautiful !!! :thumbsup:

Thanks guys.

We were tossing around the idea of going charcoal. We did a few renderings with a few different options. Would have looked good, but I think we made the right decision. Cant go wrong with black.

Thanks for all the kind words guys.

Bringing the owner to SEMA this year lit a fire to push and get this thing done. He's really excited.

We'll be painting the bumpers this week it looks like. I keep pushing it back keep due to changes to them. I'm sure you guys don't know anything about that, right?? :lol:

A bit of interior changes will have us fabbing some panels next week as well.

Thinking of going charcol/dark gunmetal myself. I think with the right combo of black and satin should get a nice contrast going for the trim, mouldings and wheels. The time for a rendering is fast approaching!

Keeping posted for updates!

Finally got around to doing a rendering......

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y18...nal800x618.jpg

Subscribed to this one ,awesome work so far.:hail:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumpt (Post 387055)

Subscribed to this one ,awesome work so far.:hail:

Thanks Buddy. 'Preciate it!!

Love it, especially what you did with the rear bumper... Nice

What kind of filler rod did you use on the bumper ? Silicon Bronze ? Im just guessing .

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevelleNV (Post 388592)

Love it, especially what you did with the rear bumper... Nice

Thanks Greg. Last minute thing. Glad we did it.:thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandbagger (Post 388595)

What kind of filler rod did you use on the bumper ? Silicon Bronze ? Im just guessing .

Yes, good eye. I did use silicon bronze, but only for the inside seam of that bodyline on either side of the license plate box. The rest was done with 70S-2 (standard mild steel) filler. We use the silicon bronze on non-structural inside seams from time to time as its easier to sand/ metal finish.

Quote:

Originally Posted by settintrendz (Post 389578)

Front bumper narrowed. License plate deleted. Re-worked the stock marker light holes to accept Avalanche fog lights.

More bumper work....Nice :thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevelleNV (Post 389579)

More bumper work....Nice :thumbsup:

Thanks Greg. You're chevelle is lookin pretty killer too. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by settintrendz (Post 383576)

the cover over the radiator, have you have made or is it from a store?

Its soo nice...me want... :)

Borre.

Quote:

Originally Posted by settintrendz (Post 389584)

Thanks Greg. You're chevelle is lookin pretty killer too. ;)

Thanks... :hail:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borre (Post 389637)

the cover over the radiator, have you have made or is it from a store?

Its soo nice...me want... :)

Borre.

Thanks Borre. No, we made that closeout. We've altered a bit since those photos, but the same basic idea.

It looks great on there.