Project 72 Elco

[72elco]

Hey Guys

Well a guaranteed 3 month paint job turned into 10 long months and alot of excuses. Why is it body shops are so flaky? Not the first person in my family to go through this heartache. Anyways, after the long wait she is finally home covered in over spray and 10 months of shop dust. With the help of Ben Hermance I had a custom "ram air" style hood made from steel.

I am contemplating a painless wiring kit. Everything works fine now, but adding power windows possibly locks, center console etc, I am thinking it might be a good idea. I know now is the time to do it, but seems like a lot of work for something that works fine now...thoughts? experiences?

Already noticing some of the bed parts ordered from OPIG dont fit well and some are flat out different from the originals.

For now, 4 wheel disc, possibly the wiring and starting to put the interior back together is on the top of the list.


Specs: 72 Elcamino
383 stroker Built 700r4 12 bolt 3.42
3" Mandrel bent exhaust 50 series
(front)Global West upper and lower hotchkis 2" drop springs and q-a1 shocks
Quick ratio steering box
(rear) all Hotchkis and 3" lowering springs
Rushforths Super Spokes 18x9 19x10
4 wheel big brake (soon to be installed)

[ChevelleNV]

love what you did with the hood...

[72elco]

Thanks Greg. Great looking car you have!

[1971CHEVELLE]

Car looks awesome

[norcal6]

Your car looks great, is that midnight blue with pearl/metallic or solid?

[72elco]

Thanks. The color is Moro Blue Pearl from Audi. Yeah there is some metallic but I didnt want too much of it. It's a completely different color in the sun. In the shade it looks midnight/black.

[Simmo]

Cool Elco...

Know how you feel with body shops, I cant find anyone I actually want to touch mine yet...paint fumes me thinks.

Yours is looking good though, bet you're glad to have it back!

[72elco]

Yeah I havent had good experiences with them. Ive had both extremes, one was a Top of the Line Shop that does nothing but high end builds, and the other a small 3 man shop. All with the same empty promises. Still a few minor things with the paint but at this point Ill have someone else do another buff before I take it back to them.

Looking forward to seeing your build come together man!

[Simmo]

Kinda has me worried....at least yours was in decent shape beforehand!

I'm big on DIY but I don't think I wana learn on this build, if all else fails I'll trailer it 500miles and I'll have a capable old school freind to do it.

Mines got a new bed too, funnily enough the previous owner got it from OPG too. It fits good now but the screw on panel under the rear window sure doesnt line up great with the holes in the original floor...damn 40 year old cars.

Same to you, I'll be keeping an eye on the progress!

[72elco]

Havent had a whole lot of time to devote to the Elco lately since I said yes to help coaching HS baseball here, but here are a couple candid pics of the car with the wheels on it. I must say the wheels make an incredible difference. Next up- Painless wiring harness install, Auto meter gauges and Idiot column.

[Rick D]

Now that looks nice, I love El Camino. We did one a few years back with an LS1 and 4 spd, made 426hp at the wheels. I understand about the shop telling you 3 months and then taking longer, did you make any changes and ten months does not seem to bad? Most shops tell you a couple on months and end up taking years to finish, but to defend some of the shops (not saying this was your case) but alot of guys want a killer paint and body job but they look for the best deal and sometimes that ends up being the collision shop that is slow and thinks wow we can get this done in a few month, and THEN they get busy with collision work again and your car becomes a shelf for stuff. Anyway looks like it turned out nice from the pictures.

[craigs73]

very nice car..............only problem i have with it is you stole my scoop idealol damn.......... just when i thought i was going to be different.............but it did turn out like i was thinking to the tee.... looks really good.....was thinking of making mine a lil taller.... keep up the great work

[csouth]

Very nice! Love the fitment of the wheels, looks like Jason got perfect!

[gardnerme]

Subscribed! I cant wait to see this one come together. I am actually going to look at a 72 El Camino tomorrow afternoon. We are looking for one my son and I can build up over the next few years that will be his when he is old enough to drive. I LOVE these old Elky's, and this one is beautiful already!

[SparkyRnD]

beautiful car, and great color choice (dig the rims too!)

[72elco]

Thanks for the good words guys. This was my High School Ride (the lighter Blue picture at the top of the thread).

As far as body shops, I have had experienced the same with 3 different shops from every Spectrum. The cheaper Miracle Auto paint which was the first paint job on the elco in high school. Took them just a couple weeks but you get what you pay for with the paint quality.
My dad had his 70 Trans Am restoration done by a high end shop that deals strictly with restorations, one offs and custom builds. Told him 6 months and 18 months later the car was finally dropped off...with paint issues.
This last paint shop, well you know the story from above, but got the car back 10 months later and will have to take it back in for some paint drips and buffing that was missed.

Anyway, car is home and now the fun begins. I was hoping to start the wiring harness today but looks like ill have to tackle that next week.

Ordering a new Center Console from The Shop LLC next week, cant wait to see how that turns out too!

[67speedfreak]

Hey Man , nice looking build !
We are building a 70 El camino for a customer. I am currently fitting new quarters, roof and panel below the rear window. Any way you could take some pics of where the quarters meet the roof and where the quarters meet the panel below the rear window. Need some reference for fit up !

Thanks, Brian

[72elco]

Hey Man , nice looking build !
We are building a 70 El camino for a customer. I am currently fitting new quarters, roof and panel below the rear window. Any way you could take some pics of where the quarters meet the roof and where the quarters meet the panel below the rear window. Need some reference for fit up !

Thanks, Brian

Thanks Brian
Sorry I dont know how I missed this. I will take some pics tomorrow for you.

[67speedfreak]

No problem ! I am working the roof to quarters and they are getting close ! Your Camino is looking great, love the color! The 70 I am working on is going to be blue with black stripes.

Thanks, Brian

[72elco]

Brian

Here are some pics, hopefully they help. Its been raining all week here so not able to get it out in some better light.