I'm looking to buy my first El Camino. But, like a lot of guys, I'm on a budget. Really, I'm on a budget for the initial purchase price; I'm not too worried about on-going maintenance costs (within reason!).

I've found an 81 that I like the look of. It's got a semi-built 305 and a Turbo 350 from a 79 Camaro. The seller has been pretty good about giving me information, but the car is 2.5 hours away each way so I want to know what to look for when I go and check it out.

Given we're in New England there is salt on the roads and so there is rust. The current owner says the car needs floorboard work, which I think I'm okay tackling (either with new sheetmetal or grafting existing, non-rusty sheetmetal in). However, he says that the car has about 3" spot in the frame "in front of the left rear wheel".

I know that this is akin to asking how long a piece of string is over the internet, but roughly how hard is it to tackle that much rust in that area of the frame? Frame rust is, I think, what will be the deciding factor in whether or not I pick it up (he wants $700 for the car). Engine (including Edelbrock cam, intake and carb) and transmission are purportedly in good shape, and from the photos it all looks reasonable.

So, what do all y'all think about the frame? Is that a "good" place (so to speak!) for rust to be in in terms of access for repairs? Muchos gracias!

Having not seen the cruck personally I would have to say that any severe rust on the frame would shy me away initially. However you mentioned that he is only asking $700 for it and that would then sway me toward it for a different reason. I would think that there is at least $700 worth of parts on the car. Again I haven't seen a pic of it but I just can't help but think that a guy could wrong for $700 bucks. Heck if you get it home and can't get the frame fixed you will probably make more by selling it in a hundred pieces. Then again that usually turns into a major pain in the A$$. Hours on craigs list and ebay and more trips to the post office than you can count....... Good Luck.... Ugly Elco.

I know it's hard to define, but how severe is severe when it comes to the frame?

I agree with the idea of walking away. Check the entire frame- in front of the wheels and also over the wheel arch in the frame. Another spot to check is the spare tire compartment behind the seats, if this is rusted out it is a major job trying to repair it. The 700.00 price is a good price for a parts car, which this may be. You can replace the frame, but that is also a major job- I just did one for a friend and believe me, if you do not have mechanical and or body repair experience, stay away from it. good luck.

78 and up G body cars are notorious for rusting out in this area (rear frame horn). There's a guy up in Canada that makes replacement rear frame horns if you feel that is something you want to try and tackle...but if it was me, I'd pass on it. Even though it's only $700, there's still a lot of 5th gen Elkys available in much better shape for not a whole lot more. I only paid $1900 for my 84 (no rust except doors, 82K miles, near mint interior, everything worked including AC Pwr Windows and door locks) and drove it for a year before I started taking it apart. I could have slapped some used good doors on it and repainted it and most likely could have gotten 3 times the amount I paid for it. Save up some more bucks and keep looking.

I say pass on it as well. It's a parts car a best. And even than if he is saying the floors need replacing and the frame. I would bet there is a lot of other rust to be found.

Yea bought my first 79 in CT in 88 V6 3sp for 1000 changed it to 305 350 and when we moved to FL it slowly rusted away from years of salty roads, I have an 80 someone gave for parts and I have never seen one so rusted, somebody had tried repair the back horns with monte horns and they fell off when I was removing the body. My 84 is a FL car but lived out by the beach most of its life and the A pillers had rust ,the doors ,back window and little in the quarter panel, so you really need to look them over ,any signs of rust can be alot worse then it looks. But 700 for a parts is not bad if it as options some of us are looking for ,engine and tranny worth that if it runs good.

This his my 79 and my 81 his even more rusted the this one, So look very well around all the windows ,doors and floorbaords. Trying to save my 79 but don't know if I will ever have the time or money .http://i63.servimg.com/u/f63/12/43/11/06/el_cam13.jpg


http://i63.servimg.com/u/f63/12/43/11/06/el_cam12.jpg

If its just the rear frame horns, this is a easily fix if you have a mig welder. (Any one need pic of how I fixed mine drop me a PM). It can be done with the body in place.
What you want to watch for is body bushings that have dropped through the frame. If you have this then the body must come off.
Also rust in the frame where it passes over the wheels is getting major.
Mike

It might be cheaper in the long run for you to buy a solid El Camino online in another state, if you can't find a solid one in your home town, and just have it shipped to you. A friend of mine is selling a very solid 79 el camino with the factory floor shifter and bucket seats, the car runs but needs some work it. he is only asking $800 for it. It would probably cost you about $800 to have it shipped from AZ to New England but you can rest at night knowing your elky is rust free.