Seen several 1960 El Caminos that are under $5K or near that have decent bodies but lots of interior and mechanical issues. Then there's a few between $12K-18K that are turnkey, but often have been "customized" in a way that I'd feel like undoing at even greater expense. The dream is to find a low rust original vehicle within 500 miles of 93001. Running would be nice but not necessary? Any suggestions tips appreciated. thanks.

I say buy the best body and frame you can get and as long as the critical parts are there you can work through the mechanical and electrical depending how much you want to pay to have done and how much you are going to do yourself and then you can do it your way as it should be!
Unless you can find one just the way you like it and can get for the right price for you.

Where the heck is that zip code?? I guess i could look it up...

And Welcome aboard!

It would be all about what you can get your hands on. Make a list of all the things you'd like it to be, put a price tag next to each, and then look at both unrestored and restored and see where the $$ end up. If a 'restored' car has a decent interior, all the trim on, car runs and drives, paint has been done - you are talking some serious work and cash has likely been spent. Me, I would pick something 'somewhat' restored to my general requirements, then change up whatever you don't like. Starting from scratch, again for me, is just such a long expensive road. I want to get out and drive and enjoy the car, not spend 12 months and death by a thousand duckbites trying to get to that point.

DOn't know what your budget is but here is a site that can help you locate the El Camino you are looking for. Just type in the type of vehicle year make model ect and it should give you a really good listing . http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cp Good luck in your search for your car.

Greg

doing the restoration, resto-mod, or customization yourself, is more expensive, but the end result is what YOU want...not someone else's idea. on the other hand, if you find one that works, for a price that you can afford, go for it. lot's of factors, like tools, skill level and money go into a project like this.

doing the restoration, resto-mod, or customization yourself, is more expensive, but the end result is what YOU want...not someone else's idea. on the other hand, if you find one that works, for a price that you can afford, go for it. lot's of factors, like tools, skill level and money go into a project like this.


X2

Given X amount of $$ to spend, it all comes down to this.....what gives YOU the most pleasure?

Are you happiest when you can get a vehicle and just drive it?

Or are you like me, and get the greatest pleasure out of building/making it?

One is easy. The other is aggravating, frustrating, dirty, time consuming, and makes you think alot and develop new skills/contacts.

With the first, you get to drive it away, and enjoy it right away.

With the second, whenever anyone asks about it, you can honestly say, "I created it!"

I'm one of those second kinds of people. Which one are you?

:poke:

P.S. Mine has to be different from everyone elses and have lots of handmade stuff on it too!

Lets just say 64 to 72 are real easy to cost out and get to a restor number than add 20 or 30% for over run and you will over run. 73 to 77 skip, 78 to 87 is also pretty easy to do also. 59 and 60 will sneak up on you and take all your money and most of your time and if you don't do 80 to 90% of the work , bring your check book and make sure its full.
Find a restored one and check it out real good rack, get or buy a meter to check the body, drive it more than a mile ect. as most have been camoflouged somewhere or everywhere, if you find the one now is the time to buy it then put your onw ideas to it and finish it the way you wish it to be.

My 2 cents says you can buy a decent car to "FINISH" for less than half what you can build one for right way or half way.

Restoration is a labor of love... heavy on the labor!

I'm with Skinyfisher... Buy the best, cleanest vehicle within your budget and go from there. If, after you complete that project, you find yourself possessed... by all means restore the nastiest rustbucket you can find.

Caution: Restoring vehicles may cause sever and adverse relationship and indoor accommodation issues.

It's personal preference, I won't buy a built car because to me designing and building the car is the most fun, I get bored with the driving a showing part quickly

Welcome from Pa .....

My 2cents on this whole deal is NEVER buy a car sight unseen (pics only).

Many of you know my deal from a noted Texas so called muscle car dealer.

I paid 9000 for a car that is full of rust and in need of restoration real bad.

My love for cars is what keeps me going,as Sharp71 said a labor of love and lots of money..... and at age 52 its not so easy anymore.

I restored my 67 SS Chevelle when I was 30, big difference now in the labor part.

Would I do it all over again for an Elky that is completely restored ? NO

This will be mine when I am done with it 100 % thru & thru, not somebody elses work.

I thought I was doing what Skinny Fisher mentioned, buying a car that was 1/2 done. NOT !!!
Now just to talk the wife into letting me buy more parts.....lol Have fun with whatever you chose to do.

Well I've driven 300 miles once, and 150 miles today to look at misrepresented garbage.
Today's should be a parts donor only, what a turd. I'm still excited to find one though.
I have yet to see what original door panels look like, are they like the Impalas of the same year (1960) or are they more "modest"? I guess if I had my choice I'd prefer the 283 motor with the 3 speed manual trans, and I could then more easily convert to a floor shift 4 speed. I know of an example that's close, a very original car with a 283 but with a powerslide. How hard is it to convert?

doing the restoration, resto-mod, or customization yourself, is more expensive, but the end result is what YOU want...not someone else's idea. on the other hand, if you find one that works, for a price that you can afford, go for it. lot's of factors, like tools, skill level and money go into a project like this.

Cash Money, ever really thought about that? why you can find them cheaper?...probably because somebody threw all of that blood, sweat, tears, and hundred dollar bills at it,
finished it...then didn`t have a "project" or passion to work on.

So they sell them for what they "spent" on them....not considering the thousands of hours of their time. Then they buy another "project":nanawrench:

I too beleive it`s a labor of love, but like 72sselky said, at over 51, it`s not as easy as it used to be.
For myself, the 3 years spent with my son on his rebuild....priceless,....I will not do it as "hands on" again. The "new" has just about worn off of that project for both of us. :dontknow:

"It`s just money......We will make some more tommorrow"....

Hasbeen

There 3 1960 's for sale in CA on craigslist here's one http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/2458562510.html

One of them is the turd mentioned in Torrence, don't bother unless you need it for parts.
The other one on the trailer is advertised in LA, but is actually in another state. I believe the third is an honest basket case worth doing, it's just too much work for me.
Patience I must have! It's hard though.


file:///Users/gshandley/Desktop/05-12-09%20003.jpgfile:///Users/gshandley/Desktop/05-12-09%20003.jpg

Cash Money, ever really thought about that? why you can find them cheaper?...probably because somebody threw all of that blood, sweat, tears, and hundred dollar bills at it,
finished it...then didn`t have a "project" or passion to work on.

Hasbeen

hasbeen...i have considered it often, as i'm generally the one selling at a loss. i can't even begin to count the motorcyles, shortbox chevy pickups, etc, that i have turned into something different/fun that i have sold in the past. one thing you learn in the process, unless your last name is recognizable, i.e. foose, coddington, james, shine...or whatever, you don't get paid for your labor.

but its about the passion for the car culture, not the money, more of it would be great(MONEY), but i get my satisfaction out of a compliment on the finished product.

A four speed conversion is not all that hard. You will need the pedal assembly, any 3 speed set should work. The tranny should bolt right to the cross member and bell housing. Drive line may need alteration depedending on the transmission you choose. Cut a hole in the floor, add a boot or consule and I think you have it. Did I miss anything? Perhaps an Ididit steering column so you don't have a shifter lever, support, and PRNDL. Save all the old stuff just in case you want to return to original.

Good luck

Hey U-Boat,

I am with most of the other guys here - build it and it is your own. If you don't know already, the 60 is the hardest of all El Caminos to find parts for. After 10 years, I just came up with a really nice tailgate! Finding a good running one with all straight chrome and not missing is worth big $$ and lots of frustration tracking down parts. Might be a good compromise as opposed to a lower $$ one that needs total resto.

I would have to agree. Find one that is a little nicer and pay a little more than you might have wanted to. The prices right now are lower than they have in teh past, for obvious reasons, and you might be able to find a nice one. Find one that is rusted out or butchered and you might spend more time, money, and frustration getting it right.