Project Camino!

[Camino LS6]

Sadly, that's true.

I'll have to stick to my old one.

[knightfan26917]

I'm dying for that first long drive...

*grins*

I think a drive to Illinois would qualify as a long drive .

[ocnblu]

Righteous! Edited November 8, 2008 by ocnblu

[Camino LS6]

*grins*

I think a drive to Illinois would qualify as a long drive .

It sure would, but I will have to keep the distance a bit more modest.

[Camino LS6]

Righteous!

Thanks,Ocn!

[Intrepidation]

Lately I find myself wanting this car. It gives me a Cadillac and Saab in one package, plus it's a wagon and it comes with 1.9 liter diesel engine. I know it's not your thing, but it's a win/win for me. I also want it in black.

I'd rather have the CTS wagon...because if I want a Saab-based wagon I'll buy a Saab.

Camino you project is really coming along! Can't wait to see it finished.

[Camino LS6]

Thanks DF, I'm going to try to find the energy to get back out there tonight.

[knightfan26917]

It sure would, but I will have to keep the distance a bit more modest.

Damn. So NOT the correct answer, you know ... he he .

But, no worries ... I certainly understand.

Still....always a possibility ......

[Camino LS6]

For the last few days I have spent an insane number of hours trying to get the alignment of all the panels right. It's not perfect yet, but I decided that I needed a break from that frustrating task.

So, I finished the detailing of the front bumper parts ( rub strips, bumperettes, turn signal lamps, and license plate holder) and installed them on the re-chromed bumper I found on Ebay a while back.

I had to see what it looked like on the car, so I installed it temporarily.

Pics:

The front plate is as old as the car (or close to it). I'm not sure, but I think that I had it before I even had a car. When I cleaned it up tonight, I saw that the price sticker was still on it - I paid $2.99 for it way back when. I know that I had it on my first El Camino for a short time about 1980.

[knightfan26917]

NICE!!!

[Camino LS6]

I'm a bit behind in updating this as the wagon has been driveable for a few weeks now. For the moment it is "finished". The paint, A/C, and so on will have to wait for funds to become available. But , the car is on the road, inspected, registered, and insured. The time between now and when it gets painted will serve as my "shakedown" of everything I have already done. I'm pretty happy with the results. The weather is pretty nice today (for a change) so I put it outside for some decent pics, and will be driving it to Thanksgiving dinner.

Pics:

[knightfan26917]

Lookin' GOOD, Camino!

Ah, dangit...I gotta get back to PA sometime soon to see this in person now that it is "out and about" .

[Camino LS6]

Thanks.

Maybe it will be painted by then too.

[ocnblu]

Much coolness. The rear view is rich with period modernity, with that curvy liftgate.

[Camino LS6]

Well said, Ocn.

There really is nothing else quite like a colonnade wagon, they had a unique look.

[A Horse With No Name]

GM has pretty much been the king of nice, midsized cars. I remember when cars like that used to rule the road. Much nicer than the jellybean cars of today.

Nice work Camino!

Chris

[Camino LS6]

Thanks!

[ocnblu]

66, you are right. I think it was when the excellent RWD G-bodies were left to stagnate and the jarringly insufficient FWD A-bodies took their place that GM "lost it" with regards to midsize cars. It was around that time the Japanese started to display a talent, through hard work, for building midsize cars that people wanted. In 2008, we finally once again have a top notch Malibu (hindered only by a lack of bodystyles) that, despite excellent press and multiple awards for quality, cannot match the ugly but nicely made Accord and the all-around crappy Camry for sales. A travesty, imo. Sorry to hijack.

[A Horse With No Name]

Not hijack...the GM A bodies from about 64-77 and the G body cars from 78-87 were about the best they ever built. May they rest in peace...

Chris

[Camino LS6]

Not hijack...the GM A bodies from about 64-77 and the G body cars from 78-87 were about the best they ever built. May they rest in peace...

Chris

Those cars account for an easy 70% of all of the cars I love.

[A Horse With No Name]

Me too!

Chris

[knightfan26917]

Thanks.

Maybe it will be painted by then too.

Ahhh...that'd be sweet if it was!

And, "me, too" about the A and G bodys!

[knightfan26917]

Camino, I thought of you earlier today, when I saw this:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/971927261.html

Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...Chitown #2 = 07/25/09

WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"I can't remember who I was back then" ... Tim McGraw ... 'Red Ragtop'

[Camino LS6]

Sorry I missed your post Cort, the listing expired before I got to see it.

Was it a wagon like mine?

[knightfan26917]

Sorry I missed your post Cort, the listing expired before I got to see it.

Was it a wagon like mine?

*nods*

Yes, indeed. EXACTLY like yours ... silver with red interior. I thought it was yours when I first saw it . he he

Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...RT 66 drive = Sept '09

WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"I'll take a Chevrolet just any day" ... John Conlee ... 'Common Man'

[Camino LS6]

Well, the wagon's been on the road for a year now, and I don't see me getting back to working on it anytime soon.

*sigh*

I guess I'll be writing an ad for it tomorrow.

[A Horse With No Name]

Not in a position right now to buy it myself...

But what are you going to ask for it?

Chris

[Camino LS6]

$4,500

[A Horse With No Name]

Funny...that is EXACTLY what I thought the fair market current value should be!

Damn...really do wish this year had been a little bit better to me financially. I've worked about 30 hours a week all year.

Had I been working regularly...methinks the wagon would have Ohio plates on it...things are getting better though.

Chris

[Blake Noble]

Are those T/A GTA wheels on the wagon?

A set would look nice on the Regal ...

[Camino LS6]

Are those T/A GTA wheels on the wagon?

A set would look nice on the Regal ...

No, but they are very similar.

[BigPontiac]

Did you ever solve your center cap issue? I noticed while reading my C&D magazine that Tire Rack is carrying Enkei Classic's...wondered if those might be the wheels on your wagon. If so, may be able to order new center caps. Link

[Camino LS6]

Did you ever solve your center cap issue? I noticed while reading my C&D magazine that Tire Rack is carrying Enkei Classic's...wondered if those might be the wheels on your wagon. If so, may be able to order new center caps. Link

Nope, never did.

Thanks for the link (it sure looks like those are the wheels I have). I'm still hoping to find some Chevy center caps that fit. I have a feeling that late 70s Vette caps might work.

[Camino LS6]

Fired-up the wagon for the first time since the start of Winter - makes me want to start daily driving it again.

[Camino LS6]

Well, the exhaust that came with the wagon is finally starting to go. One of the mufflers is bad and it will take the tailpipe with it. Everything else is still solid, so I'm debating about what to do. Meineke want $250 (estimate) for a cheapo muffler and custom-bent tailpipe.

Eventually, I want to replace the old headers and duals that came with the car with ceramic headers and a full stainless exhaust.

I wonder if Ocn's buddies in Lancaster would do just a pair of mufflers and tailpipes in stainless for me - with the rest to follow later.

[Camino LS6]

Stay tuned, this project is about to be revived.

[A Horse With No Name]

Again, awesome. If I had the cash, i would buy this thing and give it a home in Ohio.