86 El Camino with a Schwartz Performance Chassis.

[howehot]

Here we go again! I'm so pleased with the Schwartz chassis under the Monte Carlo, for the next build Josh chose to do an El Camino. I picked up a very clean 86 with 78,000 miles for the tidy sum of $3700. It does have a repaint so hopefully there are no issue when strip it. The frame is solid which is a good sign.

The plan is for Schwartz to build the chassis sometime around April. Since the El Camino frame is a liitle different tthan other G-bodies, they will use the old chassis for reference. The frontend will receive an SS nose and cowl hood, the rear will get a rollpan. Josh will do the body and paint as before. Drivetrain will be LSX. Interior will have ProCar buckets and factory console.

I sold the 305 out of it so it was time to remove the clip and get the drivetrain out. After 4 hours of bag and tag the clip was off.

[instro84]

nice elky, wish i had the doght to put one of those chassis under my regal

[Martin71RS]

Dan/Josh, I will be watching this thread...I bet it will come out just as nice as the Monte :-)

[elcamino80]

I will be watching this thread closely too

Maybe one day I will get to fix mine...

[Tony_SS]

Nice pick up.. you stole it.

[howehot]

Out with the 305/2004r. As a crawl around this truck/car, it seems pretty solid. Worried about the quarters as Josh has spotted some patch work. Looking at having it media stripped with plastic. Anyone done this before? Quoted at $525 complete. Sounded reasonable.

This weekend we'll get the doors off and I'm hoping Josh remembers the tools to remove the trim. His weekends have just got busy.

[howehot]

Josh got some trim off today, gutted the doors and when I got off work we removed the doors.

Car continues to appear very clean. Found several receipts dating back to 1990 thru 2004 when the previous owner bought it. The 78,000 miles seem accurate according to them.





Next weekend we will hang the ceiling in the other half the barn. I'm running out of room!

[CRCRFT78]

I will be watching this one.

[Uncle_Willard]

If you're not going to reuse the driver side rocker panel molding I'd like to buy it if its in good shape

[KnightMare]

we got an 80's el camino at the school that has a 305 in it as well that were going to swap out with a bigger engine and paint the car white with I believe red stripes. I'm watching this

[howehot]

If you're not going to reuse the driver side rocker panel molding I'd like to buy it if its in good shape

Let me look at the rockers moldings. Josh removed them and I'm not sure how clean they are. All the trim and chrome is in very good condition.

[Tony_SS]

You must leave the camper in the final outcome. lol

[howehot]

You must leave the camper in the final outcome. lol

Several have tol me the same thing. Would be a sleeper, in more ways than one.

[howehot]

Interior is out and most trim removed. I'll let Josh do the rear wiindow and the quarter windows. Floors are very solid. It will get media blasted near the end of the month.

[SRD art]

I got a chance to meet Dan as he stopped by work today. Super nice guy! The Monte is awesome, and he drives it in all weather, a true pro-touring car.

With the success of the Monte under belt, I'd imagine the Elky will be even cooler as you guys apply what you've learned. IIRC the Elky is just a little longer wheelbase and the rear of the frame is slightly different. It'll be cool that Schwartz will now be able to add that to their line-up too.

I've been wanting to get a pick-up, and had thought of getting a g-body Elky and swapping an Olds Cutlass front clip on, then painting to match the wagon. Looked at a couple but for what they were the price was too much. Then my wife said she doesn't like 'em so it's back to looking for a pick up. I guess I'll live vicariously through you guys as I watch this build come together, lol! Looking forward to seeing more progress...

[jy211]

stay with the original front end!!!

[elcamino80]

any updates?

[howehot]

Schwartz should be ready for it in another 6 weeks. It is ready to go to the media blaster anytime but right now it is blocked in the shed by my Monte Carlo. I spun a rod bearing a few weeks ago in Florida and have it tore down. As soon as I get it back up and running we'll get it media blasted.

[BLWN1]

stay with the original front end!!!

This!!!! malibu fronts are where its at!!!!

[howehot]

This!!!! malibu fronts are where its at!!!!

Sorry, this El Camino will be gettting the Choo Choo Customs front end. Two reasons, 1) aerodynamics, 2) I like it. Well mainly because we like it, Josh and I.