Project Camino!

[NOS2006]

I'd do one for sure. Find me a good 3/4 view that's at least 800x600 or bigger (the bigger and clearer, the better). Matter of fact, I just spent the last 20-30 minutes browsing through the first 4 pages (damn those huge pictures!) and didn't find anything good..

[Camino LS6]

I'll find a good pic, or take one of my car.

Thanks for being willing to do the chop.

[NOS2006]

No problem. You're a good guy and have a nice project going..

[ocnblu]

Aren't there companies that make reproductions of iconic OE wheels from the 60's and 70's? I thought I saw where Chevy Rally wheels are now available in bigger sizes... not sure if you'd want to go with a larger diameter wheel with modern performance tires for the Camino. And I like your refinishing idea. Modern, clearcoat colors that aren't far off the originals... makes the firewall and all the jambs far less jarring in contrast than if you went with something totally different.

[BigPontiac]

Aren't there companies that make reproductions of iconic OE wheels from the 60's and 70's? I thought I saw where Chevy Rally wheels are now available in bigger sizes... not sure if you'd want to go with a larger diameter wheel with modern performance tires for the Camino. And I like your refinishing idea. Modern, clearcoat colors that aren't far off the originals... makes the firewall and all the jambs far less jarring in contrast than if you went with something totally different.

Coker Tire is one of several companies that offer repro wheels in various sizes...

Corvette Rallyes example

[Camino LS6]

Those thoughts crossed my mind as well,OCN. If I do that paint, the jambs and such get done too. :AH-HA_wink:

NOS:

Will this pic do?

[ocnblu]

I swear, GM side moldings from this era were stuck on with two-sided tape, not riveted. So many dealerships had those aftermarket side moldings installed, but the rivets mar the sheetmetal, and encourage rust. The factory moldings merely fell off in a few years. Edited March 7, 2007 by ocnblu

[Camino LS6]

Sorry NOS, I forgot you couldn't see my unhosted uploads.

Here it is hosted on Imageshack:

[Northstar]

Camino, what did you want done to it? Some different wheels? I can do that if it's that simple (NOS is not on right now) in a couple minutes.

[Camino LS6]

I swear, GM side moldings from this era were stuck on with two-sided tape, not riveted. So many dealerships had those aftermarket side moldings installed, but the rivets mar the sheetmetal, and encourage rust. The factory moldings merely fell off in a few years.

These are actually screwed-on, but I think they are history and I'll have the holes welded-up.

[Camino LS6]

I'm wide open on the wheel options, although I'm thinking dark centers. For the rest, see page 5 of the thread.

And thanks for the help!

[ocnblu]

Is there a way to get the SPID label or build sheet for your Camino? I wonder if the build sheet is hidden somewhere in the car... that would be a cool find. I'd guess SPID labels were not in existence then, probably a stamped tag somewhere...

I always liked the charcoal Torque Thrusts, or even the old standby, Cragar S/Ss on something like this.

Edited March 7, 2007 by ocnblu

[Camino LS6]

Is there a way to get the SPID label or build sheet for your Camino? I wonder if the build sheet is hidden somewhere in the car... that would be a cool find.

I'm going to look for it soon.

[Camino LS6]

Back shortly, gotta make a food run.

[NOS2006]

That's fine, I s'pose.

[Camino LS6]

Cool!

I'm off to Wawa.

[Northstar]

Ok, here's what I came up with:

Edit: looks like NOS is here. I'm sure he'll do much better.

[ocnblu]

Cool, resembles a Cragar S/S, can't tell from here if it is though... doesn't Boyd's have a wheel similar?

[Northstar]

Those are Cragar's. I believe Body's wheels are called Junkyard Dogs, or something to that effect.

Edit: the Boyd's are Smoothie's, not sure where I got Junkyard Dog, perhaps Foose or another Boyd wheel.

Edit again: Boyd has the Junkyard Dogs and they're similar, too.

[Camino LS6]

Cool start, Northie!

Looks better already.

[NOS2006]

Not bad, Northie!

How's this for ya, Camino?

[Camino LS6]

Sweet!

[Camino LS6]

blackout the grille center and the windsheild trim, do something with the headlights.....

Now I'm feeling evil!

[z28luvr01]

That's awesome, NOS. A lot better than my interpretation of what I'd do if I had a '77 El Camino:

Bob, you're probably going to want to bar me from ever owning an El Camino for even suggesting this, but take solace in the fact that I've got my hands full already with a Corvette, and something like this won't happen for a few years at the minimum.

[BigPontiac]

Laguna S3 nose, Laguna S3 nose! (yeah, I'm a broken record...but now that your deviating from stock to look cool...)

Edited March 7, 2007 by BigPontiac

[Camino LS6]

Not at all!

But I would toss the trim with a solid color car.

[Camino LS6]

I hearya, Pontiac!

Just don't know if I'd want to go there on this car. :AH-HA_wink:

[BigPontiac]

I hearya, Pontiac!

Just don't know if I'd want to go there on this car. :AH-HA_wink:

I wish I could find a better picture of that Overhaulin' car. The different nose totally transformed the car!

I love the Atomic orange on the GTO...

[Camino LS6]

That car got an early Laguna nose!

That might work.

[NOS2006]

Blacked out center grille, blacked out window trim, smoked headlights:

[BigPontiac]

That car got an early Laguna nose!

That might work.

The Overhaulin' car started life like this:

I believe the Laguna nose was a bolt-on...the hood they modified by taking the original, then cutting the center section out of a 60s Chevelle SS hood (I think), then grafting it into the El Camino hood. And they filled the side lights up front. Subtle mods, but they looked pretty neat...

The nose they used was like a 73-74

Edited March 7, 2007 by BigPontiac

[Camino LS6]

Love the updates NOS!

[Camino LS6]

BP: the Laguna nose is mostly a bolt-on, but there are some issues with the fenders (no problem if you get the laguna fenders too).

[Camino LS6]

I'm thinking that there might be another way.

What if the existing bumpers were sucked in closer to the body?

[BigPontiac]

BP: the Laguna nose is mostly a bolt-on, but there are some issues with the fenders (no problem if you get the laguna fenders too).

While looking for pics, I stumbled on a few at a junkyard...they had a '74 Laguna AND '74 Chevelle Wagon...

not sure how up to date they are, but either may have some parts you could use if they're still around...

link

[Camino LS6]

Wow!

That Laguna looks like it burned.

Thanks for the link though.

[BigPontiac]

Wow!

That Laguna looks like it burned.

Thanks for the link though.

A third car to add to the project collection in the barn perhaps?

link

[Camino LS6]

I've been watching that car, It has been listed twice and got no bids. I think it's too bad he took apart such a nice car.

I'd love to get my hands on the body-lift and other stuff he has though!

[BigPontiac]

I've been watching that car, It has been listed twice and got no bids. I think it's too bad he took apart such a nice car.

I'd love to get my hands on the body-lift and other stuff he has though!

Too bad he took it apart and then couldn't finish it. Looked pretty good to begin with.

One last Laguna search resulted in this (said it fits el camino):

454

[Camino LS6]

It would fit, but I've already ordered small block front springs.

I'm thinking a Ramjet 350 would do nicely.

[BigPontiac]

It would fit, but I've already ordered small block front springs.

I'm thinking a Ramjet 350 would do nicely.

Love the fuel injection. My Bonneville is a PITA to start if it sits for more than a week. My next project car will be a resto-rod for sure...maybe a '56 Safari...

[Camino LS6]

And I'll be needing about 3 of those little "Fuel Injection" emblems that went on the tailgates of '87 Silverados. :AH-HA_wink:

[Camino LS6]

And maybe the '59 or '60 style "El Camino" emblems.

[Northstar]

Camino, not sure how much the Ramjet costs, but...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-LS6-Z0...094333278QQrdZ1

I mean, your SN is Camino_LS6, afterall.

[Camino LS6]

I'm saving THAT for the next one. :AH-HA_wink:

[knightfan26917]

Sounds good ,Cort. My project should be very different by then.

He he ... I expect it will be very different by August .

Hmmm....lovin' some of those chops, too .....

Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker

PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"I wanna drive" ... Trace Adkins ... '(Her Favorite Color Is) Chrome'

[NOS2006]

I'm saving THAT for the next one. :AH-HA_wink:

What if you bought a new El Camino if/when they're offered (a base model) and dropped in the LS6? That would be badass.

[Camino LS6]

I will only put an LS6 in a real SS car.

Just a personal rule.

[Camino LS6]

More chops/sketches welcome!

Different wheels,colors, whatever

[Sixty8panther]

No doubt in my mind. The oragne & white tt is best.

That trim and profile works best in two-tone.

The solid burgundy is not for me, I'd do it TT blue

& white or something like that if not in red/orange

with white.