I’m submitting my El Camino to show you don’t have to start from scratch to have a cool project. I had a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE, and I traded it for this El Camino plus a good deal of cash. However, both the seller and I walked away feeling we got a good deal, which is what any good deal is all about, right? Anyway, the car/truck was almost fully restored and was driven for about 30,000 miles. However, the restoration wasn’t frame-off, there were still things left to do. That’s where my project comes in. I named her Ellie (for a couple of reasons, 1. it’s an El Camino and 2. my granddaughter’s name is Emily, who is often called EL.) and she started life as 307 Custom. Obviously 350 badges were added and the guy I got it from says the motor is a 350, and it feels like he’s correct when I step on it.
The suspension, while it was rebuilt, was rebuilt stock. So, that’s where I’ve started. I’m adding air shocks to the rear so I can actually use it to tow my motorcycle, and I’m adding a rear sway bar as well. I’m changing that weak 15/16” front sway bar for a QA1 1 1/4” sway bar and Bilstein front shocks to make it handle like it should. Plus, I’m adding a front disc brake conversion kit, so it’ll stop when I want it to. I’m also changing the steering worm gear from stock to a 10-1 ratio, so it’ll feel a little more modern and have better response.
I plan to do more as I have time and money, but after the suspension work is done, the next big thing is adding AC, since that’s the one thing it was missing. I plan to change out the bench seat to a console type bench that sits you further back and holds you in the seat better. That may be my biggest challenge. I also plan to change the TH350 tranny to a 700R4 so I can get better gas mileage on the highway, because I do plan to drive this. The cool thing is I’ll be able to drive it to either car shows or bike shows and show them both off.
Obviously, this is a long-range plan, but it’s really only dependent on time and money. Finally, I’m 70 years old, so I don’t plan to do all the work myself, but I will do some and have already done some, it just depends on my comfort level of what needs to be done. So, I didn’t submit this for recognition or for free stuff, it’s mainly to show that you don’t have to start from scratch and you don’t have to be young to do it either. But it does help to be young at heart, which technically I’m a big kid at heart. LOL!
I waited for several years to find someone who was willing to trade for my truck and that had the El Camino in the shape I was looking for. I believe (while it required much patience) I had divine help. I actually drove it home for a couple of hours when I bought it. Without AC I did get hot and I was ready to get home.
