Hi guys, I'm a FNG from Wichita Kansas. I've lurked around the message board for a while, and man, there is a wealth of knowledge and cool cars/trucks on here. Looks like a great place, and I hope I can contribute some good stuff, and also learn a lot too. I've had a bunch of cars and trucks over the years... 50 GMC truck, 50 Studebaker, 49 Studebaker, 36 Chevy truck, 45 Ford truck, 60 El Camino, a few old Harley panheads, etc. Right now I have a 54 Harley panhead, and I'm working on a 59 El Camino. The Elky has the frame and suspension work all done and is air bagged all around it. The frame is painted and under side of the body is coated. All body work is done, and I'm getting ready to start doing paint. I need to come up with a motor and tranny too. Here are a few pics of the way it sits now.... and dont worry, I HATE the wheels that are on it. They are just there to roll it around. So check out the pics, and I hope to make some new friends here and contribute to all the cool stuff going on around here.
Welcome from Ark City. What engines/transmissions are you considering? Some years ago, my friend had a 59 El Camino powered by a 396 with a 400TH transmission. He occasionally carried heavy loads and felt it needed those due to its weight. I only drove it empty, but it certainly had plenty of power then.
Hey, cool... another Wichita guy! As for engine/transmission choices, I'm somewhat open right now. I'm leaning towards a 700R4 to have the overdrive, cause I have a 9" Ford rear end under it with a 3.73 posi gear. I know SBC motors are cheap and easy to get power out of, but I would love to have a big block. I guess it all depends on what I can afford when I'm ready to get a motor and tranny.
I'd like to get it down as far as possible when the bags are dumped. Right now the lower control arm stops against the upper spring pocket on the front, and the rear sits on the internal bump stops in the bags. Do you have any pics of your rear suspension on yours? I'd like it to lay out lower in the back so I need to figure out how I want to do it.
I'm also trying to figure out what wheels I want to run on it. I absolutely hate the looks of these cragars on it now. I have kind of been leaning towards the supreme 5 spokes... any opinions on what would look the best and fit the style of it?