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I think you will find it easier to deal with mechanical issues rather than body, so I would look for one that is rust free. The later years offfered the automatic overdrive transmission. Several of the forum members have cars for sell so you probabay don't need to look to far.

Good luck.

Not sure were you live exactly, but here are a few good El Camino to look at
http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/836431698.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/822586196.html
http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/833151532.html
http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/787094338.html
http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/791463897.html
http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/783196871.html

hey buy mine its on here !!!! :onfire:

I agree with Robby, I think you will find it easier to deal with mechanical issues rather than body, so I would look for one that is rust free.

If you want to restore, avoid the 3.8 litre engines.

Look for rust behind the rear wheels and in the bed. Dents are easier to fix then rust.

Good luck and welcome to the club. Keep us posted.

If your hurting for money you might want to get the two Elky's for $1500. You can part out the second car and probably get at least half you money back and use it to fix up the other.
Other than that there are definitly some good buys listed there.
Mike

......

for transmissions, avoid the th200c and th200, they are weak and have no overdrive. The th350 is very strong, but has no overdrive. the 200-4R available in 86 and 87 has a 33% overdrive and is decently strong but alot of tards will tell you to throw it off a bridge and swap to a th350c, you don't want that with today's gas prices.

as far as engines, if you want performance, don't settle for anything less than a 350 that has been swapped in... OK, yea a 305 can have alot of mods and special parts and run 15's MAYBE, but dollar for dollar, the 350 is better. But if you just want a reliable daily, a 305 is perfecly...... ugh sorry Doug I tried I just cant bring myself to say it. :lol:

If you can't find one with a 305, I guess a 350 would work OK. The 305 just won't make Nate, the drag strip and burn-out jockies happy. :driving: :hail2: Oh yeah, and try to get one with at least a 4.11 rear axle ratio to help with those burn-outs. The pistons will be trying to swap cylinders at any thing over 60 MPH, but hey who cares except your gas tank.

Doug

$3000 isn't a bad buget, If you take your time and look hard Im sure you could find somthin pretty nice for that. Not show quality, but still a solid car.

Having a 350 or better engine is a big plus, I have the 305 and it relly is very slow. It's not bad low end or just for crusin but it's a joke for performance.

I have the th200, and will be swaping soon to a 200-r4 with overdrive. I have a performance rear end so I red line at 65 like Doug said, and my gas tank isnt to happy about that.

Good luck!