Ok so to start with I want to define the ***le of my build. In May 1967, Sam Hollingsworth's 1957 Nomad was featured in Rod & Custom magazine, being described as a reacher. I can't find the article now, but the basic definition was that it was built to reach its destination, not a short distance hot rod. It was a beautiful car and has stuck in my mind for many reasons, but for now that definition is what I'm building. Next, the car: In April 1964 ( I found that article) Hot Rod magazine had in their posession a then-new 1964 El Camino that they added some then trendy options to and did a thorough write-up on. They seemed to like it for its driveabiity and utility, but did complain about the 3.08 gears mis-matched to the 300 horse 327. I always liked the looks in that article. I've had one myself for 22 years now in various forms, mostly going for the built musclecar style. I don't talk about it too much on here (I hope) because it's not generally the style build this board is intended for. However, now it is time to De-Musclecar it. What I'm shooting for is an early to mid 60's style cruiser. Something I can drive to work on a regular basis (50+ miles a day) and actually afford to keep gas in, ride comfortably and look cool all at the same time. Maybe even haul the occasional parts. The biggest things I really have in mind are an appropriate wheel and tire change, drop the static ride height and rip out the 427 to be replaced by a 283. As for wheels and tires, I'm really debating between chromed steelies, 15x4 front and 15x6 rear with spiders or American mags in the same sizes. I guess in part it will depend on what I run across as time goes on. I threw on a borrowed 15x4 on the front the other day and it looks like I'm going to have to drop it a good 3-4 inches to get a nice lowered ride height without being slammed. The rear is already dropped about 2 inches and it sits level. I think it can probably stay where it is either way. The other big thing is going to be the engine swap. I'm actually going to do this part first, since engine weight will determine the front springs. The engine will be pulled and dropped into my Henry J project http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=712467 once I'm done with this car. I'm planning this engine chasing after both efficiency and performance. I really believe they can go together if planned correctly. It will have lots of compression, small hydraulic roller cam and modern aluminum heads with a dual plane intake and either a 390 or 450 carb. I will be reusing my current TKO600 5 speed ****** with .82 O/D and 3.55 rear gear. It works out to about 2500rpm at 70 mph. I'll post more as I go along. First step is to get my block to my favorite machinist. He's about 70 so I want him to work his magic before he can even think about retiring. I'm not even sure I have current pics of my car but I'll see what I can find. Devin
This was about 1992. That long haired kid on the front fender was me. That was my cousin in the back. By this time I had wrecked it and had repaired and repainted it, lowered the front with really stiff handling springs and had wide tires all around on junkyard 15x7 rallys.
Earlier this year I finally got around to adding the trim to the front of it. So that's where I'm starting. I still have the steel hood with stripes in my shed, I'm debating throwing tha back on or leaving the cowl hodd with some custom paint. I have a really cool idea for doing some flames on the front of the black hood. We'll see where it comes out.
This was earlier this year. Getting about 6 inches of daylight under the left front tire. Really made me realize what I was doing to this car, how much the weight was limiting it, and missing being able to just hop in and go for a drive without thinking it was going to kill me in gas. Hence the 427 going in a lighter dedicated drag car and this one being made a nice cruiser. Devin
And finally for now, a pic I took the other day of test fitting that 15x4 wheel with a 165R15 tire. This is static ride height. Devin
Nice elkie, glad to see one survive the 90's without being messed up. If it were mine I'd be putting the original hood back on, the 'gl*** one is a bit musclecar for my liking and doesn't suit the current style of the car, and the 283 will fit under it unless you're putting a hi-rise manifold on that too. Scotty
This was playing with wheels and tires some more today. The tires are what I expect to use in final sizes, but the wheels will change. I think I want the front end to drop another inch, maybe inch and a half and the rear sits good for a nice rake. Devin
Got a buddy to flame my hood today. I'll never get paint to match the 20 year old red that's on there now and I'm not yet up for a repaint (too much else to do yet) so I decided to dress it up this way for now. We talked about colors and design, he gave me exactly what I wanted. Devin
Found some inspiration today while checking out the chrome reverse thread. These 2 pics were posted by Groucho, who is now evidently banned. Here is the style I am after with my build, almost to a tee. I'd leave the door handles though. I'd like more info and or pics if anybody has them. Thanks, Devin
I guess I'm old & boring, but I really like this pic with the dogdish/skinny whites. I know it's not what you're after, but damn I like it. Plug the 283 into that & done! Nice build btw.
I need to finish going fast with it before I can make it into the cruiser I want. My 427 is due back from the machine shop in the near future, which I will then drop in place and dial in and make a few p***es to get kicked off the track for lack of a cage. Once that has transpired, the 427 goes into my Henry J and the small block goes into the Camino and I can address suspension height also. SO, gathering parts and waiting right now, but things should start in earnest this fall/ winter. Thanks for the interest. Devin
Well it's now winter and although not everything has gone as planned, I started working on my small block today. I wasn't able to build the 283 I was hoping for, but ran across a decent deal on a 327 a while back so I picked it up. It was billed as a runner, though the previous owner had dis***embled it somewhat for inspection purposes. It's .040 over with TRW forged domed pistons and a steel crank. Came with fuelie heads and a single plane intake. It had a 327/350 hp cam but I didn't like the specs on it so it went down the road a while back. I had intended to put it together and run as it was but the pistons were .023 down in the bores, which I know is normal and fine, I could get my quench with a steel shim head gasket, but I just didn't like it, so the engine got dis***embled the rest of the way today. The bores look fairly fresh, no ring ridge, crosshatch still visible, but it must have been put together dirty because the bearings were all scored. So the block is off to the machine shop Monday for some decking and at least new bearings. Cheap insurance for something I intend to run daily for a long time.
I think the I first time heard them called "reachers" was by Lil John ****era, he has always been one of my hot rod heros. He drove his famous Deuce coupe out here to Denver in the late '70's or early '80's. We were all impressed that a hot shot california builder would drive such a high end car like that SO far. Pretty unusual for the time.
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