I am looking for a 68-87 El Camino for my son and I to restore. Any suggestions and or comments on which year(s?) may be better than others or which years to avoid? Any comments would be helpful. Thanks

Collector Car trader Online (http://www.collectorcartraderonline.com/) is always a good guide to locate vehicles in your neck of the woods. It can also give you some good pricing guidelines. And welcome to the group! Good luck on your search....

Any elky up to 72 are getting expensive. 73-77 Are going to be hard to find parts for so I agree with Ernie, 5th gens are just starting to get popular so they are still cheap. Their is a aftermarket following that is growing.

I have and restored a fifth gen because i believe they looked the best those years but parts are hard to find regardless. I also love the 1st and 3RD! gens too. I would look for an 80 or 87 choo choo, then put a 472 Small block crate in it. It's so funny to tell guys "it's a 350", then take there money at the other end of the track! :D :-D :-) 8)

Do not buy a car from Il.please don't,they will be rusted through,I like the 78 or the84,after that there built in mexico.Do your home work,buy one from fl.or down south.:smileyb:

Well,I have a 78 elky,new crate 350/330 hp,rebuilt th350 trans,new rad.chrome alt.chrome valve covers,new holley600cfm,new headers and new flowmaster exhaust,and an almost new org.done g-body frame,not put in yet,car has rust,but make a nice project car if you like alot of body work,new dash cover and more parts.:nanawrench:

Welcome to ECC and good luck with your search. About the only advise I can give is to make sure what ever you buy, it has all the emissions equipment it is supposed to have. It seems like every week there is some poor El Camino owner trying to get parts to get his or her car to pass smog testing. Another option for any year you find is a later model LT1 or LSX swap. You can use all the smog parts from the donor car or truck and still keep it legal. Hope you and your son find a nice project to work on.

I'd go with a Gen 5 simply because of availablility and cost. The 1-4th generations are or are becoming pretty collectable and pricey to include restoration parts.

If emmisions are a concern where you live the 78s had the minimal amount and as far as I know (with maybe the exception of the Cal models) no computer to deal with.

I hope the originator of this post found what he was looking for also. The post is over 5 years old ..............Ken :beer:

I agree,he's right,be easier to find parts for,78-84,after that they were made in mexico.

5th GEN definetly- I'am working on a 74 and its tough finding parts for the beast.........

A message to myelkyis1! Your elky may well be No. 1, but you really should check the origination dates of the posts you respond to. You have a great problem with responding to posts that are 5 + years old. Simply check the date in the upper left corner of the post. I sent a PM but no response...........Ken :beer:

Well,Ken,when your friends are limited,you talk to who ever will listen,Thanks for listening and about the 5yr.thing,I don't care,at least I got something to do,so don't pop my bubble.Thanks

Myelkyis1, I'm not trying to pop your bubble, only to offer some friendly advice. There are many, many members of this forum who will talk to anyone who asks - if the asking is done in a respectable voice. I have no reason to believe that you fit in the classification of disrespectful person. So, why don't we start all over again, and see if there isn't someone other than me who wants to answer your questions.

That's what this forum is all about. Sharing information among persons who love a particular type of American Icon, the El Camino. I don't remember your introduction - it must have been while I was out of town. Tell me about your El Camino, and what are your interests in restoring or otherwise "bettering" your cruck. What are your other automotive interests? :poke:..............Ken :texas: