Shortening an El Camino!

[Mr. Anderson]

I'm thinking very seriously about taking a few inches out of the thing from behind the rear wheels. Loss of some utility is not a concern for me. The stock body looks fine as is, but I couldn't help but think of how the proportions could be improved if some of the tail end were lopped off. Here is the picture I started with...



And here is the shortened version....also changed to look like what mine will be. I think it really helps bring the proportions into check. I've already relocated the gas tank so I don't have to worry about that. My rear frame crossmember is cracked back there so I'm already having to fix it. Would take some weight off too. What do you think of the look?

[elitecustombody]

Maybe few more inches would look better?

[srh3trinity]

Maybe you could measure from the rear of the door to the front part of the wheel arch and then use that as your goal of the sectioning behind the wheel arch. That would lend itself to giving some symmetry. I have always thought these were a little long, just like the trunk on the early GTO's.

[Rod]

I think another 3 inches would help

[Smock67]

^Thats what she said

[sixty5hellvell]

I agree 2-3 inchs more would look better, I love the look you are going for less is always more in my opinion.

[grenade inspector]

if youre going through all the effort of shortening it...........


how about a little tilt? the front at the head lights, the trailing edge of the wheel wells, the rear pillar all seem to have a common slant then the tail is just straight up... would look much better tilted forward a bit imo.

[eldogg]

I think it looks great no one would know it was shortened unless you told them. Thats kinda the point...

[absintheisfun]

I think it looks great no one would know it was shortened unless you told them. Thats kinda the point...

x2!

If you want to see about shortening it more, your PS skills certainly look to be up to the task, but I think it looks great!

[BLWN1]

If the blue one is yours, thats a nice looking car to cut.....

[Mr. Anderson]

Wow, I was almost dreading looking back at the thread to see how the idea was received. The friends I had showed it to so far really didn't like it. Glad to hear some do! I think you gave me back the confidence to actually do this!

The blue car isn't mine, just a decent profile shot I found online. Mine is slowly coming back from being a piece of junk, not at all like cutting up a nicely finished car.

I've played with the amount to take out for a while. My first thought was to make the rear rocker the same length as the rocker between the back edge of the door and the front of the wheel opening...but that looked way to short. This is the best balance I have found so far.

Guess I need to borrow dad's plasma cutter this weekend!

[craigs73]

yeah do it photoshop it another 3 inches shorter so i can see then we take a vote :D

[Mr. Anderson]

Here it is a bit shorter.....I think it looks too stubby.



And the first version for quick comparison.

[Cris@JCG]

I really like your idea about shorting the El Camino... Now you got me thinking about doing this to my 70 El camino.. Keep it coming! great idea..

[David Sloan]

I like the new one but i like the 1st one as well!! LOL!!
I think the last one looks better as it is not far off from the front of the rear wheel well to the door.It is proportion right now. it should be a little longer than the area to the door.
i hope that makes scents!!! LOL
Good luck an keep us posted.

[rosslord]

The second shortened version is too short. I like the long, weird proportions of the El Camino, but this is an interesting idea. That first shortened version does look pretty good.

[Mr. Anderson]

Here's another. Shortened 5.5" based on a reference point on the rear emblem (which I got rid of after the fact).

[absintheisfun]

yup, I stick by my first statement that the minimal chop is better. Take off too much and it looks a littl off.

[Mr. Anderson]

This second round of photoshopping is the first one I have any real reference on. I tried to get it close to the first photoshop and the 5.5" measurement seemed about right.

So do you think this new one looks right Absinthe? Or to short?

[sr73bu]

Cut it shorter and add a stepside! hahaha....j/k

x2 with the minimal chop... its just enough for people to say "wait a second?" but enough to get by without looking too stubby... now just cut it already! Good Luck!

-Sean