EL CAMINOS - general question

[Hank Williams Jr]

Just wondering what the general feel is on el caminos? pretty cool? or not really? How bout from an investment point of view?

I have visions of building a pretty fun Big Block driver with period parts.

BTW - sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum, new here.

[x Baldwin Motion]

el camino = two seater chevelle with a traction problem
(kids must stay home)

[allcamaro]

Earl likes em, http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[Postsedan]

I love them, but poor resale value. Unless it`s a documented L78 or LS6. The truck like feel vs. no back seat...lots of pros and cons.

Dan.

[jtower1969]

I think they are cool also...However, it's a two seater...and are you ever going to haul anything? Ok...you can haul one thing...but your never going to put anything in the back.

TOWER

[Mr. T]

I love them as well. Yes I do own one, a 69 SS(L35), M20, with 3.55's. You can sqeeze 3 people in mine, since it does have a bench seat. Traction can be a problem, but they are a beast once the tires grab a hold of the pavement.

I think they are a fairly good investment, if they are SS's, preferably BB's. IMO, as time goes on, more and more hobbyists, especially the younger generation, will be purchasing El'Camino's. This is due to SS Chevelle prices, which are out of reach for many. They certainly don't gain in value like the SS Chevelle's, but they are fun to drive and show. I sure get alot of looks on the freeway when I drive mine.

[Xplantdad]

Tony...lets see some current pics...and maybe a members ride feature? Whaddya say? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Mr. T]

I haven't forgotten about you Bruce. I am actually working under the Camino's hood as we speak. See you in a couple of weeks! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Mr70]

"I have visions of building a pretty fun Big Block driver with period parts"
I don't think you can go wrong with this attitude. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
-----------------
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v669/Rick_Peters/chicagosbearslogo.gif
Send'm Pack'n!

[camarojoe]

I've found that people either love them or hate el Caminos. Personally, I love em... In some ways I find them even more appealing and more unique than chevelles... Undervalued? Yes, I'd agree with that, but unless you're buying one to flip it thats a good thing, because you can buy a really nice one for pennies on the dollar compared to an equally nice Chevelle. Of all the cars I've ever owned, I miss my 69 Camino more than any of em. I had to sell it to buy my Deuce, but would buy another one in a heartbeat.

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
I haven't forgotten about you Bruce. I am actually working under the Camino's hood as we speak. See you in a couple of weeks! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Good deal Tony...see you in a few weeks!

[chevelleheart]

Yes I must admit , I'm an El Camino Junkie too , and can't believe what a great value they are. I have 2 , a 69 Doc'd 396/325hp M21 all original drivetrain , diff paint and a recently purchased 1970 ,L78,m21,bucketseat, Buildsheet documented car, restored 10 yrs ago with 5 foot paint!!. These are a blast to drive,cost you $20 grand,how much fun is that??

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

I love elCaminos they are great vehicles and a lot of fun.I have owned 3 and the best one I had was a 67 that drove and rode better than anything I have owned in a few years.I really regret selling it.Unless it is a rare one like a LS6,L78 and there are others you tend not to make a big profit on one.But if you are looking to own it to drive it and have fun just don't spend more on one than it is worth.I guess what I am sayng is you wouldn't want to have 20 or 30 grand tied up in a plain old Elcamino,Get an SS,etc something that will retain a lot of its value.There are some very nice elcos out there.I especially like the 70's with the cowl induction and 67 with a SS hood

[Jonesy]

I recently brought this one back from the dead:

[olredalert]

-------Count me among the El Camino owners. At present I own and drive an 86. Its not in the collectors catagory but has gained a bit of value and is just so darn useful. The late-model Elcos with 200r overdrives return great mileage and are extremely comfortable. Mines nice because the anemic 305 has been replaced by a 330hp crate motor. Have had many others as well,,,probably around 15 or so over the years and liked them all. The highpoint was a triple black 1969 L89/M22 16000 original mile one that a member of this group in Ohio owns today........Bill S

[Hank Williams Jr]

Thanks guys!! Yeah, I agree with what has been said here.
I owned a chevelle, and El Cams have a tough look, and a certain 'je ne se quoi' factor.

Id aim to keep the costs down, and have a blast.

Not a fan of the "My name is Earl" show, but here are two other cool TV el cams:

-Randall Pink Floyds El cam in "dazed and confused"
- Newbomb Turk's monster of an older brother has a cool one in Hollywood Knights.

_________________


In seriousness though. How were EC's viwed back in the day? As I said I'd like to build with 'period parts' - Would anybody have touched an EC back then? OR, were they pretty much a utilitarian object?

[Hank Williams Jr]

[ QUOTE ]
I recently brought this one back from the dead:

[/ QUOTE ]

Cool looking car! Duluth is a nice city BTW.

[Mr. T]

Hank, this thread may be of some interest to you.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/214107/an/0/page/0#214107

[Schonyenko2]

Try the last 10 minutes of the movie 2 lane black top.
Alot of caminos were bought by midwest farm boys who knew you could get as big a motor as you wanted, and still pay truck insurance. Problem was they had serious traction issues. ie: no weight in the rear. Some guys carried sand bags in the rear all year around. I think Belair metioned a Chi town street racer that filled the tailgate with lead shot, or something. I liked them. Had a 74 SS. Not much good when the family got bigger.

[Hank Williams Jr]

Thanks! thats great. The photo of the el cam launching made my day. I cant really tell, but did it pull the front wheel off the pavement?

[370454s]

Yes I am a Big fan of El-Caminos. Currently have a Nice Black 70 LS-6/M-22/4.10s. Kinda Squirrley to Drive, but when it Hooks it Books. I have had a total of 6. My Favorite one is my LS-6, but the Fully Documented Astro Blue LS-5 70 that I sold 3 Years ago was The Nicest. It had Power windows,Locks,Buckets,Console,Factory Tach and Gauges,Tilt Column and a White Vinyl top and Bumper gaurds. Bought it from V. Gaines in Denver,Nice Truck.
Mike

[Keith Tedford]

Talk about handy. I just drove ours to the bodyshop the other day and took all the new parts in the bed. Can't do that with your old cars. It'll probably carry as much as some of the regular sprung half tons out there. The air shocks can keep it level. Sure can't buy a solid car with a new 350 and turbo 350 for $6K. Won't have $15K into it when done and it will have a COPO look, bucket seats and console. I'm glad that others don't want them. Their loss is our gain. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[JHS]

[ QUOTE ]
Tony...lets see some current pics...and maybe a members ride feature? Whaddya say? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a restored 1970 LS5 El Camino for your spread, if interested; documented, matching #'s...

[Hank Williams Jr]

[ QUOTE ]
Try the last 10 minutes of the movie 2 lane black top.
Alot of caminos were bought by midwest farm boys who knew you could get as big a motor as you wanted, and still pay truck insurance. Problem was they had serious traction issues. ie: no weight in the rear. Some guys carried sand bags in the rear all year around. I think Belair metioned a Chi town street racer that filled the tailgate with lead shot, or something. I liked them. Had a 74 SS. Not much good when the family got bigger.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's it ! im frickin' getting one. Got the GF's approval too!

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Tony...lets see some current pics...and maybe a members ride feature? Whaddya say? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a restored 1970 LS5 El Camino for your spread, if interested; documented, matching #'s...

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep...send the pics and write up to [email protected]

[SS454Elky]

Of Course I am partial to El Caminos. This is my '71 SS454/M22 Camino. Its almost ready for paint. I bought it when I lived Phoenix back in '82 and its never had any rust anywhere. I sure miss driving it.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6514/picture023mj6.jpg

[budnate]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Try the last 10 minutes of the movie 2 lane black top.
Alot of caminos were bought by midwest farm boys who knew you could get as big a motor as you wanted, and still pay truck insurance. Problem was they had serious traction issues. ie: no weight in the rear. Some guys carried sand bags in the rear all year around. I think Belair metioned a Chi town street racer that filled the tailgate with lead shot, or something. I liked them. Had a 74 SS. Not much good when the family got bigger.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's it ! im frickin' getting one. Got the GF's approval too!

[/ QUOTE ]

the '55 was still puttin a woopin on him though http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

Colin had a pretty cool Elky, I would look at that one for sure.

[Late BrakeU2]

Every pool man in So Cal had one back in the day.Mine is all there less one crap repaint from the Carter Admin,LS3 column bench.Most heavily documented vehicle i've ever seen.

[Xplantdad]

Mark, the pool guys El Camino's beds were all rusted out from the pool acid, LOL...

Nice talking with you on Monday!

SC...preseason # 1 next year?

[Late BrakeU2]

Bruce,If he doesn't get hooked up with Lienart again prolly,but the Cards are offering him the moon..speaking of which looking fwd to coming out "east"-will be great to put faces to the text fields,lol. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Here's a few pics of mine,not worthy of the members ride section but a very o.g. Elky! Mojave gold with covert tan,Leeds built sold at Ed Black Chevy in Albuquerque.All original glass,five wheels born in driveline all og sheetmetal,interior.Docs are POP,Window sticker,shippers rail invoice,tank sheet,dealer invoice,insurance contract,pre delivery inspection sheet(complete with greasy thumbprint from Ed,the tech)warranty folio,air shock and tire warranty.trade in sheet(71 ranchero,he really wanted a chevy:)emissions control systems booklet,wheel trim ring instruction sheet,seat belt warning system,occupant restraint belt booklet(the funky one's that clipped together,etc..Not worth restoring,but drives like your best pair of jeans fit!


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/elco2.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/elco1.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/elco3.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/elcoeng2.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a147/LateBrakeU2/elcoeng1.jpg