El Camino 71

[Macbuick]

I started an El Camino thread to clear my Skylark thread (so if you already saw these pics, that's normal). I will next update here in place than in my previous post.

I wanted a running car while the Buick is under construction, so i bought this Elky with some work.



it needs a paint (of course) some welding on the rear window area, new ball joints and some cosmetic job on the interior.

I tried the 18" wheels and some photoshop to lower it so much.
I think i will have to use dropped spindles, tomorrow i'm gonna measure the distance it needs to be lowered.



it's a 71 from California (even with the rust!), V8, auto, no airco, power brakes and steering, front discs. It was originally metallic light green and i hesitate to paint it that way or white as it is now...



here is what has already be done...

the dashboard is clean:
before;


after;


with some gauges and a radio;


the rusted rear window is repaired;
before;


left side


right side


lower side



now

[Macbuick]

The right rear lower panel







On his wheels



next step is the paint....

The wheels are OZ (but i don't know the model!) i bought them second hand.
They are 8.5x18 and 10x18
Tyres are 235/40/18 (but 245 would suits better)and 285/40/18 .

[Macbuick]

bare to metal (and bondo!)













now the body and panels are all in wash primer:

[Macbuick]

the big surprise, thanks Mr Bondoman !!!



Problem is that the car is booked in the bodyshop on 08/30...
I have ordered a skin quarter from Summit (because few people ship oversea or at a very expensive rate for example: OPGi asks 1500$ for shipping to Belgium!!).
Summit has to wait for the part to come from Goodmark and then ship it to my nearest airport (it's the cheapest way =260$ ). But the delay is from 2 to 14 days from Goodmark ....then shipping to Europe is 3-7 days....
It will be very hot and my bodyworker will not be happy if the part is delayed!!!

[bonecrrusher]

Holy**** thats a lot of bondo!!

Good luck!

[Macbuick]

08/20/10 update

i have a new delivery date from Summit = 09/16/10 it sucks !!!!

[Scott Hightower]

COOL PROJECT!!!!!!!

My buddy rebuilt one of these as a drag racer one time.

I'm sure you already know this but make sure you remove 100% of the rusted metal and wire brush everything down to raw steel. Otherwise you will be repairing this again in a year or so.

Scott
Fab Manager
Welders360.com

[ragleone]

looks great

[Macbuick]

Originally Posted by Scott Hightower

COOL PROJECT!!!!!!!

My buddy rebuilt one of these as a drag racer one time.

I'm sure you already know this but make sure you remove 100% of the rusted metal and wire brush everything down to raw steel. Otherwise you will be repairing this again in a year or so.

Scott
Fab Manager
Welders360.com

Hi Scott, thanks.
You can see on the pics, i went to bare metal everywhere, all the rusted panel has been removed and protected inside. The front fender, the hood and the inner doors have been sand blasted.

Warning: the El Camino is not a complete restoration,(i'm undergoing a full frame off resto on my Buick) it's a good refresh with a new paint on the body but i'm not cleaning the frame (only Por15 paint).
At this time while waiting to go to the bodyshop, i'm cleaning the electrical harness in the engine bay and give a little coat of satin black paint.

It's not either a big budget, the suspension arms have been sandblasted, epoxy coated and fitted with Prothane bushing, the brakes have been redone, the interior will receive a new headliner, door panels, dashboard and Recaro seats, the engine will be clean and painted but for instance no budget for upgrades....

[waynieZ]

It should be nice when your done.