I have an 82 El Camino, and the guy that I bought it from a couple weeks ago had it for about 8 years. He said that he was fixing it up for his girlfriend, and things didn't work out, so it had been sitting about 4 years or so. (The last receipts for parts that I got were from 1996). He had it repainted and had a spray-in bed liner applied. They mixed black and white to get the grey color of the center of the truck (it's a Conquista) and the guy that was putting it in said that a cheaper liner would work fine. I had the cheaper liner sprayed in, but by the time I found it and went to look at it, it has parts that are peeling, due to air bubbles from bad application (see pictures, although those are just the 2 worst spots). I was told by one person that these bedliners are permanent and cannot be removed, but another person told me that I can simply grind it out and get another one sprayed in. Which is true? Also, how much do spray-ins run, and what would be the one to go with?
http://community.webshots.com/sym/image6/1/53/58/79115358RHKlJS_ph.jpg
http://community.webshots.com/sym/image6/1/53/80/79115380swAzlX_ph.jpg

Also, when he had it repainted he took the decals off of it (the CONQUISTA sticker from the tailgate, the bowtie fron the tailgate, and the "El Camino" chrome words from the sides. I was wondering if there was any place where I could get this without taking a big chunk of cash, and what your opinion would be about putting them on to make it look more "original"

Need to pick your brain a little more :D ... I was looking for bed rails, also inexpensive, but reliable and tough. Would you suggest getting a tonneau cover? It's my first vehicle (and also my dream car :P ) and I don't think I will be using it for hauiling too much, since I can't see myself carrying very much.. And one more thing, is there a place that sells El Camino seat covers? The person I bought it from had quite a bit of dirt and grime on the seats and the driver's seat on the side has a 3 inch tear. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just a bench seat with the folding armrest.

Thanks for your patience! (Here's some eyecandy!)
http://community.webshots.com/sym/image6/1/63/83/79116383tAeXbx_ph.jpg
http://community.webshots.com/sym/image6/1/69/12/79116912NkyhSf_ph.jpg

Also, when he had it repainted he took the decals off of it (the CONQUISTA sticker from the tailgate, the bowtie fron the tailgate, and the "El Camino" chrome words from the sides. Phoneix Graphics (http://www.phoenixgraphix.com/index.htm) or Stencils & Stripes (http://www.stencilsandstripes.com/index.asp) have the decal your after. You probably can still get your emblems from GM. I'm sure Ernie will be along shortly with part numbers, he's good at that.



I was looking for bed rails, also inexpensive, but reliable and tough. Personally I think your Elkie looks better with out them, but it a matter of taste. Bed rails at best have limited funtionality. You'd be better off installing a set of bed hooks that were optional, especially if you want to cover the bed...

Found a couple things you were looking for: Tailgate emblem (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=6763&item=2421233676) and Quarter panel emblems (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=33643&item=2421270240)

yeah i agree on the bed rails...they're not exactly "strong" especially if your considring tying things down real tight on em. They screw into the body...so you'll have to drill holes. I'm hopefully getting rid of mine, and the offers there to sell them, but new they're $100 not too bad. Tonnue covers are nice too, personally i prefer the hard fiberglass ones, but it sounds like your on a bit of a budget, so those could be out of the question.

I found the best in-bed tie downs are nylon boat cleats available at any marine store. Available in many sizes. I installed one in each corner of the bed near trhe floor, three along each side at the top, under the tonneau cover and one on each end of the tailgate on my '74. Haven't ever been unable to tie something down and what's best is that you don't even notice that they are there unless you look for them.

i got seat covers out of jc whitney, and they fit fairly well, they've lasted pretty good too. the only thing that sucks was they didn't come with an arm rest cover, or head rest.