Car: 1964 El Camino
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I bought my El Camino in August 2002. I was working on a 1971 Chevy ½ ton and had all of the mechanical work completed and was looking for a "beater" to drive while the truck was off the road getting a paint job. I was checking out the local buy and sell for a cheap ½ ton to last me the winter when I spotted an ad for a 1964 El Camino ($2000.00 firm). It was more than I wanted to pay for the "beater", however, being a Chevy guy I thought that I had better take a look at the El Camino.
It was the second day for the ad, but I was told that I was the first person to call. I headed over to take a look at the vehicle and as I was looking it over several others showed up. Most of the conversation centred around "how great a condition the car was in"! The owner was away for the week and his son had been instructed not to take any money but just to show the car to prospective buyers. Not wanting to lose this gem I told the young fellow to give me a bill of sale and I would sign it and then deal with his father regarding the money when he returned. This way I would have the first chance to purchase the El Camino!
When the owner returned we settled up with the money and when I went to pick up the car I found out the El Camino came with two extra transmissions, a 283 mated to a powerglide, a disc brake setup from a '70 Chevelle wagon, front and back sway bars, new, never installed headers, and miscellaneous '64 Beaumont parts. (The Beaumont parts would later prove useful in a partial trade for a much needed front fender)
In November 2002 I installed the disc brakes and all new bushings, ball joints and a fresh 350 with lots of high performance goodies on the inside. I put the car away for the winter and in April 2003 I decided to do a frame off restoration (with my wife's consent and encouragement)! The El Camino went to a close personal friend's shop (MRE Automotive in Lethbridge AB) where we took the body off the frame and placed it on a rotisserie. The body and frame were sandblasted, new full length floor pans were installed by my friend as well as a twelve bolt posi rear from a '69 Buick Skylark. From there it went to Lethbridge Autobody for body work and paint. The El Camino is now painted Galaxy Silver Metallic, a 2002 GM colour.
Presently the car has a Saginaw 4speed, however, future plans are to change this to a Muncie. Other plans are to install roller lifters to go with the roller rockers, and to install gears that start with "4" instead of "3".
When I got the El Camino, the interior was pretty well "toast" so it was all replaced with reproduction stuff. Most of the exterior stainless was also replaced . I completed the work by installing 2 1/2" exhaust with stainless flowmaster mufflers. The El Camino is now ready for some serious cruising!
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