I started it, I'll finish it --someday

[MACV]

I've been at this project since '09. Just getting around to posting it. The project is a '79 Caballero. Bought it on Craigslist with no engine or tranny. I had one of each in the barn so no problem. Body was good except for some rust around the front of the bed. PS, PW, PL, air, cruise, 50/50 split bench, gauges and some other nice stuff. I'm not much of a pic taker but I'm learning to post pics so if everything goes well I'll be adding pics of progress in the near future.

[MACV]

Hope I got the pics back.

[oldtinsmith]

Pics look good to me Larry.

Doug

[Keyser Sose]

hang in there Larry, I started a lil after you did, and I'm still plugging away too! lol

Take joy in finishing each part. it'll all be worth it in the end

[MACV]

I was able to borrow a rotisserie to do what little work the body needed. South Carolina preserves its bodies quite well. The day after these pictures were taken I shortened the front mounting arms 8". Several hundred pounds of steel on long lever arms made me nervous.

More later.

[oldtinsmith]

Way to go Larry! Borrowing a rotisserie will make your work so much easier.

Doug

[84withzz4]

Hang in there, you will be pleased when your almost done. Hey, your never really finished. You will find something to fix, change or just tinker with, that's the fun of owning it. I bought mine on 2004 and started saving $$. In 2006 I started the Choo- Choo conversion, I've been working on it ever since.

[stev6343]

MACV, try 1990..... an I'm still.... working on my 82 and enjoying! Dale

[MACV]

Hi, all of the above replies are spot on! This is a fun hobby and it keeps me out of mischief.
Just thought I'd describe an oddity that I found in the '79 when I removed the body. It is a trailer hitch mount. It is a piece of 1/2" X 6" X 42.5" steel bar stock welded across the tops of the rear spring towers. It has a 1" dia. hole cut in the center for an attachment device that stuck up through a hole in the bed floor. If they came through, the pics will describe the design better than I can. It looks like the bar can be installed without
raising the body because the factory left a "notch" in the bed/fenderwell pinchweld that would accommodate the bar if it were slid across the tower tops from fenderwell to fenderwell. All four of my El Camino/Caballero bodies have that notch.The springs were stiffened with several coil spreaders. Now I Think I know why I had to replace both rear shafts and bearings. Quite a hitch!

[oldtinsmith]

I have never seen anything like that before!

Doug

[MACV]

A little more progress. The colors are '88GM Flame Red and '88 or '89GM Bright Silver. Both metallic. Click on the thumb nail to see all 4 pics.

[oldtinsmith]

Looks awesome Larry!

Doug

[MACV]

Just a little more progress. I fought my way to the "old photobucket format" and I hope the pics are viewable. The electrical mess you see actually works! Lights, starter, wipers, power windows and locks. It's sort of a miracle because I had removed every wire from the body over a year ago. All I have to do now is figure out how to get all this stuff crammed under the dash. Oh yeah, I can take my circuit tags off now. The steering column is from my'84 donor. I transferred the ignition, dimmer and reverse light switches from the '79 to the '84 column. http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/...p/100_0432.jpg. http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/...p/100_0435.jpg http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/...p/100_0436.jpg http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/...p/100_0436.jpg

[DONE DEAL DONNY]

Baby steps till (One step on the moon!!)
Donny

[El Diablo]

macv it could be the photo or the shadows, your photo of the rear axle assembly (amazing hitch plate btw) the upper left rear control arm and bushing seems bent .