I am a man on a mission...

Turning this:

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/87_old.jpg

Into this:

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/87_ss.jpg

So, I went to the body shop today. My friend, Dick, has owned the shop for over twenty years. He was a PO of my 79 Elky and did the body work and paint on it for me. He just finished a three year frame off restoration on his own 86 Choo Choo clone. It came out beautiful. I'm going to be dropping my El Camino off at his place for a major restoration next week. I've been hinting to him about doing this for me for about a year now and today we finalized the plan.

Everything is getting disassembled and sandblasted down to the bare metal. I'm not going to do a frame-off restoration on it but it'll be pretty close. I've decided to get rid of the Conquista chrome trim and have an SS paint scheme on it, but I'm not putting any SS decals on it. I'm going with base coat/clear coat for paint. Black on the top and silver metalic for the bottom. I've got a urethane front spoiler for it and I'm ordering a steel 2" cowl hood. I'm also changing the rims to the 15x7 86-87 MCSS style.

If all goes well I'll have my baby back in about ten to twelve weeks. I'm not in any rush to get it back. I know that he does excellent work and it takes time, not to mention money, to do the job correctly. I'll be stopping in to check the progress as often as I can and I'll post some pictures to show what stage it's in.

Wish me luck.

Good luck, Ernie. Sounds like it's gonna' look really great!

Hi Ernie -- Give some thought to powdercoating the window trim in black to complement the overall paint scheme. It might look better than the original stainless trim they came with. Are you really going to add the bed rails and punch more holes in the pickup bed? Remember, you live in New England where we invented the killer rust that eats cars! Good Luck!

Wow Ernie! Looks like my 87 SS.

Sounds GREAT Ernie!!!! can't wait to see the finished product------looks like those of us who live in the Northeast will be busy for the winter!!!!!! Pete NYC

Are you really going to add the bed rails and punch more holes in the pickup bed?
No, I'm not adding the bedrails. All of the holes for the tonneau snaps have to be welded closed and I don't want any more holes in the body because of the potential for rust. I'm thinking of adding a Gaylord bedcover like you have on your El Camino and getting it painted a matching black.

Yes, I'm powdercoating the trim too. We discussed it and he agrees it's much better than painting the trim.

Yes, I'm powdercoating the trim too. We discussed it and he agrees it's much better than painting the trim.

That's what I did with my front and rear window trim and the bed molding. Looks great.

Best of luck Ernie.

It'll be like driving a whole different auto.

Sounds great Ernie....But what will you be driving in the mean time? Got another Elky hidden away somewhere? Let's us know how bad the withdrawals get. :cool:

Make sure you take lots of before, in process & after pictures to share with us...

Sounds great Ernie....But what will you be driving in the mean time?
http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/86_MCSS.jpg

My 86 MCSS POS winter beater! :wink:

I'll be keeping a close eye on the resto and I'll post progress pics.

:mrgreen:

I got off work early to stop by the body shop and check on my Elkys progress. When I arrived my Elky was nowhere to be seen in the lot or in the shop. I went into the office and my friend told me it was stolen last night. I told him to quit kidding me, but he said he had been trying to call me all day to tell me.

He had me going for about 20 seconds until he cracked a smile and told me that he dropped it at the sandblasting shop this morning. I got in my MCSS and drove the 15 miles to the sandblasters. When I got there I caught them just before they closed down for the weekend. He let me in to take a few pictures. I posted about 20 in the 5th gen Members Gallery

It took a while to get this project moving but it's rolling now.

Here are the 20 pictures in the Members Gallery pictures. (http://elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Off-to-the-sandblaster&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php)


http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/P1010001.jpg

Ernie:
Congratulations! I think we can all appreciate your excitement, I know it something I am planning on doing - just exactly when, I don't know. But looking at the photo's of your Elky at the Sandblasters makes me more determined to do it right, and not just slap some paint on over 23 years worth of dings, dents, and paint. I can't wait to see it when completed. Good Luck!

Hey, looks like a DeLorean El Camino!

Congrats. 8)

The body looks better then mine did when it was stripped.

Hey Ernie. That ain't the same Elky I saw last October?? :cool: . It is looking good, straight and smooth.

I'm sure it will look awesome when it is done.

Looking good, keep updating as the work moves forward.

Hey Ernie. That ain't the same Elky I saw last October??
It's the same one you saw in October 2003 Jay. It's now stripped of grill and headlights, bumpers, Conquista trim, mirrors, door hardware, etc... The sandblasting will be done by the middle of next week. It'll then get a 15 mile ride back to the body shop on a flatbed.

I'm pleased to say that there's been some significant progress made on my El Camino.

Yesterday afternoon, I got a phone call from my wife to call the body shop. She said they had called and they need to know what color I finally decided on for my El Camino. I had made up my mind (actually my son convinced me) to paint it a 2005 Acura color called Magnesium Metallic. It's the same color as my daughters new 05 Acura RSX. So, when I returned their call to let them know the color code, they told me they'd be working Saturday and I should come see the progress.

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/frview500x375.jpg

The fenders are in primer. The doors are still in a sandblasted condition. The tailgate is ready for primer. The rear window has been removed, resealled and reinstalled. The front windshield cracked as it was being removed, but I think it's for the best. I wanted to replace the old windshield anyway. I had been thinking that all of it's tiny scratches would detract from the new paint job. Now I don't have to make the choice.

Today, I dropped off a new set of drivers door hinges along with all of the door and window weatherstripping, dew wipes, and quarter window seals. If all goes as planned It'll be painted and reassembled in about two more weeks.

Here are some more progress pictures (http://elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php&set_albumName=album245)

Pix are great - what exactly is Magnesium Metallic - Got a sample?

Looking good, should be done before '06. :lol:

What rims are you gonna go with?

...what exactly is Magnesium Metallic - Got a sample?
http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/rsx_mag_met.jpg

What rims are you gonna go with?
For now, a set of 86-87 Monte Carlo SS 15x7" rims with 235/65/15 BFG TA's. I really want to get either a set of American Racing T.T.O.

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

or Torq-Thrust II

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/TorqThrust2.jpg

As always when talking about wheels, I must suggest the Boyd Smoothie IIs. My favorites since the first time I ever saw them! 17" may I suggest too!?

:-D :-D http://www.tbyrnemotorsports.com/ls1/smoothieII.jpg
http://shop.sportruck.com/bcodd/cast/smoothieii.jpg

Hey Ernie. Are you still on track for getting your Elky back by turkey day? It will be just in time to put it away for the winter????

I hope so Jay, but I won't be upset if it's not. It's coming together slowly. It's not getting painted until the Gaylord bed lid gets to the body shop and that's on a truck coming from Honest Charleys. I want everything painted at once so there will be no minor differences in the paint. There is other progress to report though. I got a call from the powdercoater today and the trim is done.

The Elkys winter home in my new garage awaits.

Got it Ernie, man it's looking GOOD!

Lee "Caveman49"

Ernie the elky looks great! Congrats from a fellow New Englander! 8-)

Should be sweet when you get it back!

Garry

After all this time, I don't believe its happening!! I'm coming down to check on it myself. Great choice in color. Those "earth tones" from the 5th gens were way too boring.

Lots of progress to report.

I went down to see my El Camino yesterday. It's been reassembled, painted, and wet sanded. When I arrived it was being buffed out.

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

The Gaylord bed lid was also painted at the same time so it's a perfect match. I went to powder coaters and picked up all of my trim pieces. They came out real super in gloss black. There's still quite a bit of assembly to do before it comes home but I think it'll be home by Turkey day.

More pictures after wet sanding and buffing (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album253&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php)

Hey, that color looks great! Remember, Boyd Coddington Smoothie II wheels! :lol:

Wow! Congrats Ernie, its looking good. Hey, is that a tear I see in your eye?? Must be all that dust in the air, huh? 8O LOL

Hey, is that a tear I see in your eye?? Must be all that dust in the air, huh?
No Jay, the tear will be in my eye when I have to take out my checkbook. :P

Got some new photos of the my Elky all buffed and shiney. My son dropped off all the lights, bed trim, and powder coated trim today and took these pictures. I've got to finish the bumpers and drop them off next week. Lots of little detail work still to be done...

All shiney and waiting for trim pictures (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album267&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php)

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/waiting_for_trim2_a.jpg

Wow Wow Wow Wow.....that is extremely impressive. It looks fantastic. I think I saw a glimpse of the Gaylord cover in the paint booth.

Got your note about the bumpers. Thanks.

Looks great Ernie. Looking forward to seeing pictures in the daylight.

My El Camino will be coming home on Saturday. Today I dropped off the powder coated door locks and the new black exterior door handles. I'll be dropping off the bumpers tomorrow. The new tires will be mounted on my spare set of 86-87 MCSS rims. I'll put those on the Elky while it's in the garage for the winter.

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/waiting_for_bumpers1_sm.jpg

I took a few more pictures today and added them to my album.

Just waiting for bumpers pictures (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album259&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php)

Lookin good. :D

My El Camino will be coming home on Saturday. Today I dropped off the powder coated door locks and the new black exterior door handles. I'll be dropping off the bumpers tomorrow. The new tires will be mounted on my spare set of 86-87 MCSS rims. I'll put those on the Elky while it's in the garage for the winter.

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/pics/waiting_for_bumpers1_sm.jpg

I took a few more pictures today and added them to my album.

Just waiting for bumpers pictures (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album259&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php) i like that front lip did that com stock or is it custom.

...i like that front lip did that com stock or is it custom.
That's a GM urethane front spoiler that came with the 5th gen SS (Z15) option. I picked this one up at the Englishtown NJ swap meet last year for $50.

I kinda like the stock steel wheels with those fantastic white wall tires. You ARE the ECC / NECOA trendsetter for sure!

I think it is suppose to be nice on Saturday morning for your trip home.


Looking great Ernie. It must be like getting a brand new El Camino for Christmas.

I kinda like the stock steel wheels with those fantastic white wall tires. You ARE the ECC / NECOA trendsetter for sure!
That set came off my sons 83 Cutlass. They're just for use at the body shop.

Hey thanks Jay...now I've got a new official title. I think I'll officially offer my old official title of Wet Blanket to anybody that want's it

I just spotted this thread today, so I'm coming in late.

That blast shop looks like APS in Coventry. Were you pleased with the plastic media they use to remove paint?

Good job documenting the process for us. Very interesting topic - good luck with the rest of the project.

That blast shop looks like APS in Coventry. Were you pleased with the plastic media they use to remove paint?
Yes, APS did a great job.

Well, it's finally back. Now it'll be put away in it's new winter home. I'll get the tires and wheels put on in a week or two. If the weather is nice I'll take it out for a few pictures. But for now, here is the latest picture.

http://elcaminocentral.com/modules/Forums/images/photos/4400f1e441a116b8eda11.jpg

Looks great!! What wheels are you getting? Remember, Boyd Smoothie IIs!!

Beautiful Ernie!!!!!! Outstanding


Pete NYC

That is quite beautiful. They did a great job. It must make you proud.

side shot please.................it looks awesome.

side shot please...
As soon as I get some nice tires and rims on it I'll take some side shots.

side shot please...
As soon as I get some nice tires and rims on it I'll take some side shots.

Come on its under construction. We'll understand, take the picture!!! :P

who gives a crap about nice tires and wheels,we wanna see a side shot.........lol

Nice job. its pretty kwel. YOur project really shows me. too really not give up on my elco, to strive for the finished product. Time and money = happyness. lol. Someday.......