While on business in Oklahoma City in 2001 I decided to visit a place I'd wanted to go to for a long time, Bethany Kars (http://bethanykars.com). I figured it was a once in a lifetime chance to see so many beautiful 5th generation El Caminos all in one place. To me it's like getting an opportunity to visit Darlington, Daytona, Indianapolis, or Charlotte and not go to visit the track. I forgot about these pictures until today when I got an e-mail from Phil and Barbara Swartz who run Bethany Kars. I had met them both while I was there. They are very good people and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their beautiful Elkys. They may not remember me to well, but I have great memories of that day. I test drove the red and gold 78 SS clone while I was there.

I've put together a roll of pictures which I took with a drug store disposable camera. The pics are 768x512 and around 100k each. Here they are. Bethany Kars pictures. (http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/Bethany_Kars/)

Ahhhh yes...and I drooled on each and every one of the pics while babbling incoherently! :lol: All kidding aside, if you live close to Bethany, and you're looking for a 5th Gen Elky, looks like they'd be a good place to start!

I'm not a big fan of two-tone paint but I like this car. (http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/Bethany_Kars/XW79_024.jpg) Put a set of Torquer 2's on there and I'm sold....however looking at the prices he wants for everything,I wouldn't be able to buy. Wowsers http://community.the-underdogs.org/smiley/misc/eek5.gif

This reminds me of a dealer in San Jose, California back in the 70's he had all real Camaro Z/28's. Very nice cars but also very pricy.

Your shot #16. I love the color combo on that one plus I'm not a big fan on rails on the tops of the bed on some of the others. Beautiful...wrap it up I'll take it! :P

opps...that last post was mine. Forgot to sign in first!

Dave

70ELCO, I did not know you could do that.

thats what I thought...see I just posted again without signing in!?

dave

70elco

do I have some special powers here or is this something new...can guests now post here?

dave

....however looking at the prices he wants for everything,I wouldn't be able to buy.
Chris, I looked in, under, and all around most of them when I was there on Monday snapping pics. They were closed and I was like a kid in a candy factory. These are all recently detailed low mileage Oklahoma & East Texas 5th Gens.

He buys local Elkys and then has various local places that he subs out all the mechanical and body work to. The body work and paint is very good. Many are sold sight unseen and he ships them anywhere in the US.

I'd bet he would do a little dealing on prices. He also sells them on ebay. After I left there I started buying Powerball tickets.

do I have some special powers here or is this something new...can guests now post here?Sorry Dave, no special powers...just a minor glitch that is being addressed.

It's all your fault 87, I got drool all over my keyboard :D #19 looks a lot like my '83 :) I'll be all night getting the grin off my face. Thanx for the pix :-)

I only live about 30 miles south of that dealership. Been by it several times, but never stopped in.

Thanks for the wonderufl pics 87 elcamino. Boy! That's one He** of Elky store :) Which on are you going to send me LOL :D

We are looking for a 5th Generation Elky. Has anyone bought from this dealer? As we are in Pittsburgh, PA - Oklahoma is too far for a weekend drive. The website does have some very nice cars, a little pricey, but nice.

I just got back from a bust butt trip to Phillip's from Virginia and bought my second Elky. Count me in the satisfied column. Frankly this transaction was scary for me. To wire thousands for an "as is" car sight unseen is unnerving. I did my homework and followed a process that made the whole deal very agreeable. I won't bother you with my little checklist unless someone request it.

Phillip & Barbara are good folks. I talked with him a lot and carefully looked at every vehicle he has. There is not a dog in the bunch. Simply, he has run traditional car lots for a long time and is tired of the normal BS. He finds it much more agreeable to specialize and use the internet. After seeing his operation, I don't blame him.

You must know that all his sales are "as is". He simply is not in a position to get tangled in trying to correct something half way across the country. I can't say I love it, but I understand it. You wouldn't get any different treatment from most other used car deals.

He understood the pressure I was under (wife), and he didn't hesitate to answer the pages of questions I sent him. Usually, his answers included pictures to document what he was saying. In fairness, the only details he didn't mention was that the floor shifter was tight and the wiper blades were old and stiff. No big deal.

Very funny, we took my new Acura TL A-Spec. It broke down! the Elky didn't miss a beat all the way back.

I'll answer any further questions if requested.

I had been looking for quite a while to replace my 79 I sold last November, and had talked a couple of times to Phillip through email and once on the phone.

This past January, I decided to make the 220 mile trip to check out his inventory. My wife & I went up Saturday morning early and met with Phillip & Barbara. Obviously I was very impressed with his inventory and setup out in the country. They were both extremely cordial (it was a cold day, they had snow the day before, and it was windy as well), and patient with us as I looked at several I had been interested. We finally decided to drive an 85 he had that was in beautiful shape. We were there a couple of hours, and the bottom line, we left with a new vehicle.

I heartily recommend Phillip & Barbara to anyone looking for a good El Camino. They are not the cheapest, but I feel confident with his ability to find clean vehicles with his many years of experience. His knowledge & professionalism was evident and very welcome. I know he has made many people throughout the country happy with their purchases, many sight unseen.

As a side note, I went to the grocery store yesterday afternoon, and had a gentleman park beside me. Most of us with El Caminos have developed the ability to spot the "look" - you know, the one your truck gets by people who admire a good vehicle and particularly the Camino and wished they had one. Anyway, he started talking to me as I was putting the groceries in the back, then asked if he could take some pictures. Of course that makes you feel good, especially if you car isn't as clean as you would like.

(By the way, I am not related or have any affiliation with Bethany Kars - I only wish I was or had the space and expertise). I have recommended him to friends AND family).
Terry

Hey Terry, how about posting some pictures of your new ride???? :)

Thanks JW, I've added 2 pictures to gallery "Terry's 85".

Terry

(by the way, these were from Phillip's site I printed before I went to see him & bought the EC).

When I click that link it tells me Iam forbidden access.

Those Elkys aren't pricey! They expand my budget! :cool: I am going to show my wife that site as the Elky was her idea after all.

I have that Black Cherry/Silver in mind for my '79. It looks real good with the interior.

You know I wish I could get over in that part of the U.S. and see some of these things. I have been every where else in this world, and here I am, still stuck in California. Oh, well... I guess I will take a Vacation to that side of the country... Road Trip... No CANNONBALL! Get some freinds and whoever else wants to go. Race to the other side, then on our way back, hit all the cool car spots and sights that we missed. Now that's a Vacation! :cool:

I ran accross Bethany's website (bethanykars) a while back and eventually flew out from Central Fla. They're about 35 miles west of Oklahoma City off I-40. Actually their location is out in the country located on old route US 66. That was an omen as far as this old guy was concerned so after looking over several I was interested in I wound up buying a very nice 1987 Conquista. I had rented a car but if you wanted Phil would be happy to pick you up at the OC airport. His cars are pricey but he has a great selection and they're all pretty nice cars mainly becasue of the climate there just isn't any rust to deal with. Phil told me that most of his sales are over the internet sight-unseen other then the website and photos which he would send. He has a map with pins in it to all the destinations he has shipped cars. Some even to England. I had mine shipped back in a covered trailer. Cost $1300. If I decide I need another I'll shop with Phil first. I think he always has 15 or so in stock. They're stored in aninsulated metal barn and his website is a nice place to visit just to look the cars over even if you don't want one at the moment.

Happy New Year everybody.

Bob