Hi everyone.. Hope all is going well... Well now that I sorta have my wife on board with this project, I'm wondering if anyone has taken the body of a gen 1 Elky and can offer some tips.. I'd like to have the chassis redone, and a possible upgrade to front disc's at the same time.. I might also try and find a 348 to drop in.. Also a question around the dash and front clip. Would it be ok to assume that I an use parts from a 60 impala ? Also since the floor pans are bad, I'm gonna get those done also.. Any comments or suggestions pro/con/hey your nuts, would be much appreciated... Take care

/joec

It's nice to see that more of the Greatest 2 Year's of El Camino's are coming alive! :lol: I have a 59' myself & altho I'm not doing an Off Frame restoration, mine's going to be more Custom :cool: than stock! For ALL your Stock Part's go to: www.elcaminostore.com has EVERYTHING you need for that Resto Project! Everything from Bumper's to Windshield's :) & everything in between! Ebay also has the Factory (re-produced) Assembly Manual's & Part's also! Hope this help's you out in your project..."SKULL"

:P I forgot to tell you that the El Camino Store has Disc Brake Kit's for Front & Rear that just bolt up!!! :D "SKULL"

GREAT Link Skull!!! THANKS!!!!!!!! http://www.jeffpylenz.com/INCREDIMAIL%20VOL.2/EX.SMILIES/other71.gif

So am I correct that I can use the dash and front clip for parts on my '60 Elky?


/joe

As far as I know, they are the same & for the Floor Pan's, the El Camino Store sell's NEW one's! Take care & have fun! "SKULL"

Hey DrVax,

How cool is that - someone else has decided to tackle one of the originals - - I also have a 60 that I have been gathering parts for. The frame should come off this spring when my garage is completed. Mine has a good running 348 which I am removing for the 454 I have in my possession (mine is an original "348" but the body is too rough to restore, so a Hot-Rod it will be . . . . . )

I have spoken to a couple guys who have worked on frame-offs on 59-64 Impalas (they all share a similar "X" frame setup). There is nothing noteworthy as compared to other models with the more modern "Ladder" type frames. I have pulled many frames on 60's and 70's cars, and all I can say is watch for rust on the bushing mount "ears". Change all your brake and fuel lines while the frame in removed. Set up as much with the frame off (engine, trans, etc.) while they are separated. Also, it never hurt to spend a few bucks having your local frame shop put their guages to the frame while it is separated - if it has been in a major accident and the frame is not "right", it is easy for them to square it up at this time.

I can tell you this - the front end ("nose") is identical to the 60 Chevy. The dash is the same, but certain dash trim parts were only available for the Impala. The tail lights are the same. The stainless and aluminum trim is different from the 2-door or 4-door Impala. The El Camino for 59 and 60 are based upon the 2-door sedan-delivery wagon (no glass on the rear quarters). The floor (including under the bed) are the same as the sedan-delivery. The front floor should be identical to the 2-4 door, so the pans will fit fine. The stainless trim around the bed (but not the "wing" trim on the tailgate) and roof should be the same as the 59, but they are the only body trim parts that they share (Skull, can you verify this?). The rear bumper should be the same as the wagon and sedan delivery.

Now for the bad news - other than the nose (fenders, hood, grille and front bumper) no other body parts are shared with the Impala or the sedan delivery. The doors and rear quarters only fit the El Camino. Even the tailgate which looks really similar to the wagon and sedan delivery are different (I know, I have a wagon tailgate which will need major modifications to make it work on the Elky). Let's go a little deeper - there were 4 times as many 59 Elkys made than 60s, so for body parts, it is the rarest to find, especially since only "partial" rot-repair parts are available, no full body parts. Year One, are you listening??

One of the biggest drawbacks of this model Elky (and all full size Impalas as well as their sister-framed Cadillacs) is the two piece drive shaft. It runs through the center of the "X" in the frame, to a carrier bearing and then the second shaft to the rear. I have seen this eliminated with torching out the bottom of the "X" and adding reinforcement (welding and reinforcing the now open tunnel) so only one drive shaft is needed. The other oddity is the offset "Third member" on the rear. I have seen this eliminated for a panhard bar that works much better (with this modification, the rear suspension is almost identical to modern NASCAR rear suspension setups). But if yoiu are restoring and not customizing, I guess all that stuff doesn't matter, huh?

Here are a couple web addresses that might help in your search for the smaller stuff (the El Camino Store is also a great one as previously mentioned):

www.tracyperf.com/emblemselcamino.html

www.impalaparts.com

www.autotrimsupply.com/carcatalog/item/chevroletel%20camino.htm

www.1aauto.com/1A/CDManuals/Chevrolet/ElCamino/CD60CHEV/2454


Anyway, I hope this helps a little . . . . . good luck Dude!


Dan

Dan,

Many (and I do mean many) thanks on all the tips.. Believe it or not, I shoul dget the car next week sometime from Texas, so then I'll reallyl know what I'm up against... Good thought on having the chassis straightened up while I have the body off.. Can they dial that far back to check it ? Other than using just a 25' ruler from corner to corner... From talking with the seller, the car has been in storage and the only thing missing are the long spears on the side of the car. I'm also surprised that yearone or someonelse has not made any panel's for the '60, but I understand, it all about economics I guess.. I'm really more worried about the bed...That could be a real PIA.. Hey, if you don't want that 348 anymore let me know... I'd drop that baby in mine in a heartbeat.. Since I'm in Long Island, it looks like your only a bridge away.. Keep me up to date on how your making out, as I will if you'd like..

L8r
/joec

Hey DrVax,

You are very welcome - good website, huh?

I can tell you this about frames (I worked in shops for years) - on a 43 year old car, chances are it's been in at least one major accident, and multiple fender-benders (if not, you've found a real gem). I have seen frames that measured square in the corners and the middle was off center by an inch and a half because an inexperienced frame repair technician did not think to guage the middle of the car (since it was only hit in the front). I have also seen frames with a twist that is slight enough to fit the body parts back onto, but you have to shim the heck out of one fender to make it fit properly.

I'm not trying to scare you, but a frame shop will level the frame and attach their guages to it and you will know immediately if it is off or not. Any good frame shop will give you a quote on setting up and measuring your frame without a commitment to repair. Without the body attached, life is way easier for them anyway . . . . As for the dimensional specs for the frame, most shops have old frame manuals or on some kind of computer program with the specs.

The side spear moldings are available - I have seen them on the web . . . . I will try to find it and let you know . . . .

So - are you restoring or customizing??

Dan,

Yes, a great web site.. I guess I gotta make sure that my friends shop can make sure the chassis is true... Is it better to get the chassis powder coated, imroned or just plain painted ?

I also have seen the spears on the web.. I guess I gotta get the car and see what I'm really gonna be up against.. As far as restoring or customizing, I'm not really sure.. I might do just a little of both, since I really want to drive it alot and not just bring it out on dry cool days if you know what I mean.. I'll talk to ya soon...

best,
/joe