Been hanging out here for far too long without posting my El Camino misadventures for your reading pleasure.
Here's the background:
1980 El Camino purchased in 1996 in Esquimalt, British Columbia from 777 Auto Sales for $2392.00 CAD all in. At the time it had a thrashed 305, a bent tailgate and a hole in the floor under the gas pedal that I could put my boot through Fred Flintstone style. Yabba-dabba-doo!!! The frame and the rest of the body seemed OK at the time...good thing I didn't look any closer. I really wanted a 1966 or 1967 Ranchero, but they were scarce on Vancouver Island in the mid-1990s; the ones in decent shape were muy caro, and the ones that were affordable were beyond reasonable repair. Ditto for the mid-60s to early-70s El Caminos.
So, having spotted a 1980 ElCo in a used car lot while riding my bike home one afternoon after work, I took the plunge; here's the first post-purchase photo:
Fast forward to 2009. I moved from Canada's west coast to the nation's capital, Ottawa, in 1999 (having hauled the car on a U-haul towing dolly behind a Jeep Commanche across the country -- a story in itself). As of last week I'm insured for this summer, heading over to get a chassis dyno tune tomorrow. Having run a 16 flat at the local dragstrip in 2006, and a 15 flat in 2007 -- and with the benefit of a spec built motor (386 stroker small block, put together last summer) installed this spring -- I'm hoping to get into the low-13s and the 100 MPH club this summer. Also get out to some local shows.
After 13 years, three motors (the orig 305, followed by a 350 and now the 386), body and paint, and more general trial and error than I'd ever thought possible, here's what it looks like now (as of tonight):
I'll keep everyone posted as to this summer's adventures at the strip and on the street. More pics to follow. Fingers crossed on the 100 MPH club.
Take care for now.
Here's the background:
1980 El Camino purchased in 1996 in Esquimalt, British Columbia from 777 Auto Sales for $2392.00 CAD all in. At the time it had a thrashed 305, a bent tailgate and a hole in the floor under the gas pedal that I could put my boot through Fred Flintstone style. Yabba-dabba-doo!!! The frame and the rest of the body seemed OK at the time...good thing I didn't look any closer. I really wanted a 1966 or 1967 Ranchero, but they were scarce on Vancouver Island in the mid-1990s; the ones in decent shape were muy caro, and the ones that were affordable were beyond reasonable repair. Ditto for the mid-60s to early-70s El Caminos.
So, having spotted a 1980 ElCo in a used car lot while riding my bike home one afternoon after work, I took the plunge; here's the first post-purchase photo:
Fast forward to 2009. I moved from Canada's west coast to the nation's capital, Ottawa, in 1999 (having hauled the car on a U-haul towing dolly behind a Jeep Commanche across the country -- a story in itself). As of last week I'm insured for this summer, heading over to get a chassis dyno tune tomorrow. Having run a 16 flat at the local dragstrip in 2006, and a 15 flat in 2007 -- and with the benefit of a spec built motor (386 stroker small block, put together last summer) installed this spring -- I'm hoping to get into the low-13s and the 100 MPH club this summer. Also get out to some local shows.
After 13 years, three motors (the orig 305, followed by a 350 and now the 386), body and paint, and more general trial and error than I'd ever thought possible, here's what it looks like now (as of tonight):
I'll keep everyone posted as to this summer's adventures at the strip and on the street. More pics to follow. Fingers crossed on the 100 MPH club.
Take care for now.
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