OK, just bought my first ElCamino and I have a question...well lots of questions, but just this one now.

When I look behind my bench seat all I see is the spare tire, there's a metal shelf below the rear window, but shouldn't this have something that draps down, so you don't see the tire, jack, etc.

can anybody help on this one?

Nope that's the way it came from the factory. Some guys use trunk type carpeting(the kind that newer cars have)to clean up the area.

My '85 has a cover over the opening.
If you wnated a cover, you could make one out of something like an old tonneu cover, that is unless you want concours...

Me, I would rather have a fun car to drive and handle 8)

well their is a curtain that goes over the smugglers box; but other than that the back is pretty crude.

Sniff...Sniff...I smell modification!

BTW, did you buy your elk already restored or did you just finish it up?

I got a Curtian from a 78 or newer model, removed the snaps and used some contact cement to hold it on to the back cab wall. It looks a lot better than having nothing there at all or a spare tire. I don't have any spares in my ELkys. If I have a flat I am getting around by way of "Pat and Bending"

Patting one foot while bending the other! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hello Mark,
Here is what I did with my '72. (http://levitanj.home.mindspring.com/elky/restor2/page1/page1.html).
I made the rear speaker wall out of plywood and some black carpet from Home Depot. Probally spent about $30 total. Used some cardboard for a template.

Plenty of room behind for some deep speakers or amps. I don't use a full size spare. Instead, I use one of those small "doughnut" spares. Fits fine on the rear wall and doesn't take up to much space.

In newer elkys ( new then a 67 ) can you get to the box with out having to remove the cover in the bed ??

Hey 67ElCamino.
On my third gen, I can take out the plastic box in back of the drivers side seat. I then can "see" inside and get to a limited part of the "smuggler box". If you want to fully access the empty space behind the passenger side, I'm pretty sure you would have to remove the cover from the bed. I have some good pictures of a 3rd gen Elky that was being stripped. It shows the area your interested in for that generation. Let me know if want to see them, I can email them to you. My email is jlevitan@holycross.edu

Just my 2 cents worth....

Yes, Yes! please post!

....or email them

I sent a zip file to your email of webwiz2600@yahoo.com. To many to pics to post. Anybody else want them , just let me know via email.

Hope it helps.

i'm about to post them for you guys; hang on!

Alright guys, here ya go 72 spirit's smugglers box (http://www.webwizcreations.com/elcamino/72spirit/)

PLEASE try not to bring the site down :?

Thanks for the info and pictures.One last question do any of you think or know about puting a black box in behind the drivers seat ( like newer gens ) in a 67 elky??

my 72 came out from the factory with a vinyl cover over the spare.