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View Full Version : Would you believe, 1959 El Camino?



RichardSIA
09-25-2010, 09:32 PM
Been gathering parts for a while, looking to build a truly unique car.

Lots of custom 59 El Camino's in the world, but no other like this so far as I know.

I've been uncertain what catch-phrase best described my project, finally decided this is as close as I will get.

Basic plan is that it should look essentially stock, with mid-60's style wheels, like something that would have been common when I was in grade school.

Also trying to do this using mostly components that would have been available at the time, a Jaguar IRS rear for example.
The Jag is being used as it is much easier to adjust ride height and spring stiffness than a Corvette unit.

Engine will be a fairly high revving 383" "W", 348 block with a 409 crank.

Like I stated, not the same as the herd of LS7 and air-bagged catalog built cars.

Hope to put in a full cage and R&P steering too.
Trying to avoid power brakes, might be hard to do unless I can lose a LOT of weight from the car.

I have a fair number of machine tools and experience with fiberglass, so if the money holds up I should be able to get it done, eventually.

My Marcos 1600 GT update will be simple by comparison.

CruizinKev
09-26-2010, 12:46 AM
welcome aboard Richard! can't wait to see any progress on the 59 elco!

wellis77
09-26-2010, 02:07 AM
COOL! I'm looking forward to this. Post some pics...

brans72
09-26-2010, 11:54 AM
:postpics:

Mullda
09-26-2010, 05:22 PM
It would be great to see some pics of this one. Elkys are very cool!

RichardSIA
09-26-2010, 07:50 PM
The car is an original two tone red & white.

I have "good" body parts, except for the passenger floors, a cherry frame to modify, and the 3:73 posi Jag 3.8S rear suspension.

I have a 1960 virgin 348 block, and a 409 crank to build a 383" engine.
Already bought pistons and cam/lifters.

Aluminum BWR heads and custom intake are going to be expensive, looking at TI valves as the valve train tends to limit RPM on "W" engines.

I can post some pics, but only a few of the parts are pretty at this point.

Oh, if you squint hard you may notice that the speedometer in my avatar, which is the one going into the car, reads to 200 MPH.

It is one of only fifty that were specially ordered by NAF for Cobra Coupe replicas, and the only one known to still exist as the rest were lost in a fire.

If my current new product projects go well the car should be done in about two years.
Still looking over how to upgrade the front suspension at the moment.
I do NOT want air bags and the necessary pump.

The other annoying issue is finding the 15" tires I want, but I will save that for it's own thread.

1971CHEVELLE
09-29-2010, 10:05 AM
Welcome aboard:)