Time to make driving my 71 a more pleasant experience.
"Mango" runs great - we've taken care of the mechanical stuff (mostly). Anytime we are out at the Depot people ask us about it, say things like "It wouldn't take much to make it sweet again." I do daydream every time I'm behind the wheel about making the ride more comfortable. I need stuff like interior door panels, carpet, headliner, and to fix the driver window so that it will roll back up,

I also need to make "Mango" watertight. But, hey, it AZ it doesn't rain (much) here!

Any local vendors or am I better off looking on line? How do I decipher things like "headliner with or without ear muff boards" (ear muff boards!?!)?

Thanks! 8)

Hi again and welcome to the site ( saw your post under new members). There are a few places in Phoenix you may find parts however, the best sources for a 71 are places like OPG (Original Parts Group) in Los Angeles and perhaps Rick at ECparts.net.

Where is home for you in AZ ?

I forgot to mention;
soffseal.com is a good source for your door seals. You will also see these on eBay.

I've purchased many parts on eBay and only been burned once. Usually if you put El Camino in the eBay search about 2500 items come up. Around 100 will be vehicles and the rest will be parts. So many people here at ECC talk about eBay parts it makes me think most of us watch for El Camino parts there all the time. I'm typically watching what post about every other day. I don't really need anything but I got used to it when I was building. I suppose I still check it because I'm afraid I'll miss something 8O .

Yeah, I get most of my parts online/catalog sources. I used to go over to pick-a-part when they were off the 101 and McClintock but they moved and I don't know where they went.

A lot of the salvage yards won't keep anything over ten years old. Some of the yards are specific like Camaro/Firebird and Fiero but I haven't seen much for El Caminos.

You might want to check the paddock THe Paddock (http://www.paddockparts.com/Paddock/assets/html/homepage.asp?URLCheck=1) For body pieces and such. Your generation Elky has a bit better luck with sheetmetal and detail parts. Classic industries is another good source. Also National Parts Depot is another decent source for sheetmetal. National Parts Depot (http://www.npdlink.com/)

I've used all of these sources for both my 74 and a 69 Firebird over the years. They're both hard to find parts for.

:D

I'm still in right field about the ear muff stuff regarding the headliner. :oops:

I've replaced mine so I know 5th generations do not have such.

Don't feel bad Mango, I don't think Zonies are supposed to know anything about ear muffs :lol: