Is it time to give up on this car?

[derekf]

Yes, this is another one of those threads.

I've got a 69 El Camino. I've had it since 1990, and before that it was my father's.. I've got all the receipts for the car back to '81, and probably older than that (81 was the earliest I quickly found). It's got a half million miles on it, 300k of which I did. I'm in the process of an LS conversion for it; motor and tranny are installed, upgraded suspension and brakes are done.

It's got issues, not the least of which is that I've had it torn down for the last six years. It's an Indiana car, and it lived through at least a few Indiana winters with Hoosier road salt. It's got rust. I started in the front and I worked back - fenders are good, cowl and firewall and dashtop issues are fixed, floor is partially fixed. I've got back-of-cab, bed, (small)fender-bottoms, package tray, and outer wheelhouses left to do. That kind of rust repair doesn't bother me so much.

It's got (maybe) frame issues. Not too long after I got it, the rear LCA mount on the driver's side tore free. I had it welded back together. About 15 years ago, the same occurred on the pass side. I had that welded back together too. (They did it poorly, I've cut it out and moved it to the right spot). Somewhere in there I let someone else drive the car, and they hit a Buick; the front frame horn may be a little bent. The integrity of the frame worries me a little bit, but I had intended to add some reinforcements to that mount on both sides. My skill with a welder worries me a little there too.

These are the issues I've known about... and then there's the little things that become large problems.

It's got an aftermarket sunroof. I don't know when it was installed. I don't like the sunroof, but I accept it because it's already there. I know the sunroof needs to come out to repaint, and I know that removing the sunroof will destroy the weatherstrip.

The Internet says the weatherstrip is no longer available, anywhere.

So: I reckon my options are:

Replace the roof skin. I do not have faith in my ability to do this correctly.
Buy a bigger sunroof. Ugh.
Find another 69 El Camino body/frame that are in better shape, and move everything over.
Give up on El Caminos and find an equivalent 68-70 Chevelle to move everything over to.
Move all the LS and suspension bits over to my 65 Chevelle convertible (some parts won't fit the early A bodies)


I don't have a lot of money (actually, I have about none) so I don't think I'm in a position to hire someone to do the roof replacement. Buying a different car to bolt everything to would require selling the Chevelle first. The 65 is a non-AC car so won't really work well as a daily driver, plus convertibles in the summer here can be unpleasant.

So - PT folks - what do you think?

[WidowMaker68]

Keep it. Fix it yourself. It was your dads after all. You can teach yourself or at least make new pals. An elco is not the best, but I'm rebuilding a four door tempest so I'm in that category

[MonzaRacer]

Honestly try looking at older Fox Mustang sun roof, the parts are still available, finding the 'roof in the salvage yard should be non issue just remember to hook up the drains before doing the headliner.
I helped a guy install one of these. Here is the trick, install it from below, from inside. Taking time and doing it right means less body work issues and the 'Stang one had removeable glass. I am looking to use one in my Monza and my Caprice possibly. Since I have a nice little scratch tig welder all I would need is some thermal barrier putty to keep heat out of panel farther out.
Honestly I felt the guy was nuts, BUT with little common sense and paying attention it turned out looking like a stocker and the interior person used part of old Mustang headliner along with his matching material, since the liner he had from Mustang was kind of like fiberglass the guy used heat gun to actually mold it too his car (Buick or Olds) then with foam glued in, the GM style liner material laid right down.
Honestly it WAS easier than fixing hole in roof.
Also I have done the repair, used a piece cut from same make/model car. Get some of the flush panel holding weld tabs, leave enough gas so when it draws up it stays tight. Get a nice flat piece of copper bar to use as heat sink, aluminum works but needs cooled more. We had a 6, 8, 13 in lengths 2 in by 1/4 in. With chill bar and some heat barrier putty its doable.
I have built many cars with nearly ZERO budget, used all my buddies cast offs and old stuff I trade for. So much more satisfying too me.
Still dream of building $100k cars though.
If it was your dads, you will regret dumping it.

[BuddyP]

I say replace the roof skin. I'm not a big fan of the sunroofs either. Being an Elco it's a small room so I think once you start digging into it, you'll realize it's not as bad as you thought. And you will have learnt something when you're finished.

[no go nova]

Keep it fix it give it to your kid. I would replace the roof skin shouldn't be to hard. And maybe find another frame yo can strip down brace it and paint or powder coat it.

[MrQuick]

Yes, this is another one of those threads.

I've got a 69 El Camino. I've had it since 1990, and before that it was my father's.. I've got all the receipts for the car back to '81, and probably older than that (81 was the earliest I quickly found). It's got a half million miles on it, 300k of which I did. I'm in the process of an LS conversion for it; motor and tranny are installed, upgraded suspension and brakes are done.

It's got issues, not the least of which is that I've had it torn down for the last six years. It's an Indiana car, and it lived through at least a few Indiana winters with Hoosier road salt. It's got rust. I started in the front and I worked back - fenders are good, cowl and firewall and dashtop issues are fixed, floor is partially fixed. I've got back-of-cab, bed, (small)fender-bottoms, package tray, and outer wheelhouses left to do. That kind of rust repair doesn't bother me so much.

It's got (maybe) frame issues. Not too long after I got it, the rear LCA mount on the driver's side tore free. I had it welded back together. About 15 years ago, the same occurred on the pass side. I had that welded back together too. (They did it poorly, I've cut it out and moved it to the right spot). Somewhere in there I let someone else drive the car, and they hit a Buick; the front frame horn may be a little bent. The integrity of the frame worries me a little bit, but I had intended to add some reinforcements to that mount on both sides. My skill with a welder worries me a little there too.

These are the issues I've known about... and then there's the little things that become large problems.

It's got an aftermarket sunroof. I don't know when it was installed. I don't like the sunroof, but I accept it because it's already there. I know the sunroof needs to come out to repaint, and I know that removing the sunroof will destroy the weatherstrip.

The Internet says the weatherstrip is no longer available, anywhere.

So: I reckon my options are:

Replace the roof skin. I do not have faith in my ability to do this correctly.
Buy a bigger sunroof. Ugh.
Find another 69 El Camino body/frame that are in better shape, and move everything over.
Give up on El Caminos and find an equivalent 68-70 Chevelle to move everything over to.
Move all the LS and suspension bits over to my 65 Chevelle convertible (some parts won't fit the early A bodies)


I don't have a lot of money (actually, I have about none) so I don't think I'm in a position to hire someone to do the roof replacement. Buying a different car to bolt everything to would require selling the Chevelle first. The 65 is a non-AC car so won't really work well as a daily driver, plus convertibles in the summer here can be unpleasant.

So - PT folks - what do you think?

I have been in that situation many times. Put the extra money in something that in the long run might not be worth it. It might be a nice project for someone else.
The thing you have to ponder is what the worth is in sentimental value. Would your father want you to go broke keeping it up or pass it on and save your funds and actually make money from it. Truth is someone might actually like the sun roof.

[Todd in Vancouver]

This is the challenge when a car gets torn down and is years in the rebuild jail. Every time I get asked I advise to not take on more repair than you can accomplish in 3-5 months, aka. Winter. You loose steam and get frustrated and after a few years you just want out and get something you can start enjoying NOW. Unless you are the kind of guy who really enjoys the journey, like myself the garage time is my escape, then go get something else to enjoy.

But, I would keep the car and just put it on a back burner until you are in a position to complete it. IMHO a torn down, somewhat rusty car isn't going to get you enough cash to do anything with. I haven't seen your car but when I type "projects" into Craigslist I can find a pile of cars like what you are describing for between $1,200-$2,000 and your Dads memories are worth more. If you find a few years from now you have no interest still then go ahead and dump it.

[derekf]

Thanks for your input, all.

Would it change your answer if my father was the one that suggested I might try to find a car that wasn't so rusty?

[alocker]

Thanks for your input, all.

Would it change your answer if my father was the one that suggested I might try to find a car that wasn't so rusty?

Yes. If he is still alive and feels that way, ditch it.

If he is not alive and you have somewhere to keep it maybe until you have the time and money to fix it, keep it.

[my79f]

If your dad is still alive, sell the elky and get him involved on looking for another car. The car y'all find together would be worth the effort of selling what you have and starting over. You are making new memories, which are, or will include future kids.

[andrewb70]

My vote is to strip it for all of its good parts, and sell the shell to whoever is crazy enough to buy it. You'd be surprise and get a few hundred bucks for it. Then I would look for a nice survivor Chevelle.

Andrew