I just want to introduce myself...

I just bought my first El Camino after a few years of wanting. It's pretty rough around the edges but hauls butt compared to anything else I've ever owned. An hour after I picked it up I already had 2 people comment how cool el caminos are and got comments like "that's a sick ride" and stuff like that. It was a great feeling to finally own a car thats cool! The reason I chose an El Camino is I have always driven vehicles that are "different" because I don't want to look like everyone else on the road. I think this is a good starter '85 Elky for me because it looks good on the outside and it runs good too. It was cheap ($1200). The previous owner put in a 350 and a few minor performance mods (edelbrock aluminum intake, accel ignition system) and a few pretty things like a Chrome Edelbrock air cleaner, Chome wheels, and a halfway decent paint job. The inside is terrible and it has some tiny steering wheel that reminds me of a lowrider which is going to be the first thing to go, it also makes it a pain to steer (Had to travel 300 miles to get the car and drove it home). Anyhow, I have all kinds of questions but I'm taking it slow, trying to answer them by reading the archives here before asking. I'm in Maine so in a few months the car is going into the barn for winter hibernation but come next spring I'm going to have some fun with it! I expect about 1 or 2 months of driving it before I pack it away for safe dry storage. The dashboard says "Conquista" but my insurance company claims the VIN says it's an SS. I don't think it's the original dashboard because it's almost falling off but who knows. Is there a way to tell what the car originally truly was?

Good morning Big Red -- Welcome to the club! Can you let us know what part of Maine you are in and we'll get you in touch will other local Elky enthusiasts? Maybe we'll even turn up some spare parts for you to use. I've got a few things likely going to the dump if nobody wants them, like a blue standard steering wheel from a 5th gen that will fit yours.

If you post a message with your complete VIN here, I'm sure our local expert Ernie G. will decode everything you need to know about your vehicle and how it came from the factory -- even which factory built it.

If you're close enough, perhaps you can join us in Webster MA next Sunday 10/5/03, meet some members, and go home with a few free spare parts to keep you warm in the garage this winter. John Harris

Welcome to ECC! There are alot of people here who are very helpful. Good luck with your unusual ride.

Welcome Big Red. Wish 1,200 bucks was all I paid for my 85. You've got a great starter though and best of luck.

Welcome to ECC BigRed!

...my insurance company claims the VIN says it's an SS. Is there a way to tell what the car originally truly was?
There is no way you can tell if a 5th gen El Camino was an SS by the VIN. For an 85, look at the "Service Parts Identification" label in the glove box door. It'll look like this:

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/MCSS_SPO_tag.jpg

Anything earlier than 85 will have a Body Number Plate located under the hood on the top driver side of the firewall near the windshield wiper arm shaft that looks like this:

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/cowl_tag_Z15.jpg

If the SPO label has a Z15 code on it then it is originally an SS. If it has a Z16 also then it was a "Royal Knight" edition.

:mrgreen:

I'm closest to Belfast, Maine, which is about 45 minutes from Bangor. Unfortunately I didn't find a label in the glove box -or- a metal plate on the firewall. Any other ideas?

...I didn't find a label in the glove box -or- a metal plate on the firewall. Any other ideas?

Unless you can find the original build sheet, there really isn't a way to know if it's actually an SS. The build sheet may be above the headliner, under the seat, in the seat-back, under the carpet, etc...

:mrgreen: