Register now to get rid of these ads!

Customs 1959 chevy 2 door sedan converted to a el camino

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Slapstick, Aug 6, 2016.

  1. Slapstick
    Joined: Dec 6, 2015
    Posts: 16

    Slapstick

    hello.i have a 59 2 door sedan and ive wanted a 59 el camino going on 12 years now.ive been looking for along time.i live in north idaho,not alot of these cars pop up,when they do they are very expensive.so i was thinking the other day how hard would it be to convert mine to a elcamino.i found a guy who has a 60 el camino top,that he literally cut straight off the body at some point.i know i would have to find a tailgate from a el camino or station wagon?any info on this would be greatly appreciated.thank you.
     
  2. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,025

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    How hard? That is not something that you can ask us. That would be something that we would have to ask you.

    How hard would it be for you to to do this? What is you talent level when it comes to major metal fabrication, especially when it comes to exposed seams in body sheet metal?

    Do you have a fully outfitted fabrication shop, or access to one?
     
  3. Oh man, I don't see this working out too well...
     
  4. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,025

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  5. Slapstick
    Joined: Dec 6, 2015
    Posts: 16

    Slapstick

    i have a friend thats a excellent fabricator.im more courious what is needed part wise.again.thanks for all the help.if its to much involved,ill keep looking for a el camino.like i said ive been searching for one.just aint having no luck with that.
     
  6. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 18,724

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Meh it's only metal. It's probably not common enough that you will get an easy parts list. I'd assume a camino or wagon tail gate will both require some work to make functional so I suppose its up to you which you use.

    If you feel confident in your fabricator I would get together with him and some good photos of both gates and get a plan together that you both feel good about
     
  7. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,025

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It can be done. This is the kind of thing where you absolutely give a 100% commitment to follow through completely.

    If you miss even the slightest detail, everyone's eyes, including yours, will go straight to that defect, instantly.
     
    Tim likes this.
  8. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,720

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    Honestly it's probably easier and cheaper to find an Elco. There was one cheap on Craigslist recently near me. I'll see if I can't dig up the ad.

    If you have your heart set on a particular car, sell the sedan and raise the enough funds to buy one.

    Put up wanted ads both here, your local Craigslist, newspaper, senior centers. You will find one!
     
  9. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,720

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

  10. belair_54
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 85

    belair_54
    Member
    from australia

    I bought a 60 El camino recently a lot of good project cars come up all the time.
    This website is good it searches craiglist and Ebay
    https://cargraph.com/usa/chevrolet/el-camino/1959

    One thing to consider is an original bodied el camino is always going to be worth more than a custom job. I think the El camino is based on the 2 door wagon.
    One good thing is if you start from a different model probably wont have as much rust in the rear quarters etc as original El camino.
     
  11. Cool website, especially for this situation. I agree, in the end a real one will be more valuable, for the expense of creating one you could rehab one. Your friend could easily bring one back from the near dead, I'm sure.

    I guess the question might be; would you like an El Camino or would you rather have something custom and totally unique?

    Something like this one is a good deal, a little clapped out but it looks fairly complete with a title. By the time you buy a tailgate, the top and other stuff I would imagine you would already be at $4k ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1470569271.959972.jpg
    I'm a CL junky and have not seen one cheaper than this in any condition in my area.
     
  12. Slapstick
    Joined: Dec 6, 2015
    Posts: 16

    Slapstick

    thanks for all input.much appreciated.ill keep looking for a el camino
     
  13. chevy57dude
    Joined: Dec 10, 2007
    Posts: 8,978

    chevy57dude
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Maryland HAMBers

    Gimpy - That absafuckinlootly KILLS!
     
  14. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,025

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Were it not for the chop, it would look like it came that way.

    That's how you do it.
     
    chevy57dude likes this.
  15. chevy57dude
    Joined: Dec 10, 2007
    Posts: 8,978

    chevy57dude
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Maryland HAMBers

    Slapstick - Hope you find one.
    Gimpy - Was that an El to start with? I'd give a body part or at least my OT big block El for it. Some gold cars hit the mark just right.
     
  16. Slapstick
    Joined: Dec 6, 2015
    Posts: 16

    Slapstick

    gimpy that gold one is amazeing.thank you for posting.any more pics or info by chance?
     
  17. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,025

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Oh no, that one ain't my work. It was just at a show I went to down at Gambino's.
     
  18. Slapstick
    Joined: Dec 6, 2015
    Posts: 16

    Slapstick

    was that originally a 2 door?
     
  19. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,025

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    As far as I know, that was was a 2-door.
     
  20. Kustomkid
    Joined: Nov 21, 2010
    Posts: 531

    Kustomkid
    Member
    from Montana

    You would be better off converting a wagon into a elcamino if you are looking for a stock appearing elcamino. The elcamino is basically a sedan delivery without the roof. All the inside sheetmetal is the same. Here is my conversion I'm working on.
    ImageUploadedByH.A.M.B.1470634075.978594.jpg
     
    chevy57dude likes this.
  21. chevy57dude
    Joined: Dec 10, 2007
    Posts: 8,978

    chevy57dude
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. Maryland HAMBers

    ^There's a man unafraid of metal work!
    convertable El Camino, hmm...
     
    Kustomkid likes this.
  22. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,729

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    What if you could find a cheap Olds or Buick or Pontiac wagon and El Camino it? The same roof would fit a 1959 or 1960.

    I'm just thinking, if you want to go and do all that work, why not make something unique?
     
  23. Kustomkid
    Joined: Nov 21, 2010
    Posts: 531

    Kustomkid
    Member
    from Montana

    I always thought that a Cadillac elcamino would be fun to do. It would be long.
     
  24. arkiehotrods
    Joined: Mar 9, 2006
    Posts: 6,802

    arkiehotrods
    Member

  25. Kustomkid
    Joined: Nov 21, 2010
    Posts: 531

    Kustomkid
    Member
    from Montana

    Cool! Now I don't have to build it!
     
    arkiehotrods likes this.
  26. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,720

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

  27. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,663

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Just take the trunk lid off.
     
  28. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,025

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    That one has a clear roof!
    [​IMG]
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.