Customs Converting an early Impala to an El Camino

The bodyman was a heavy guy Mark, we hate bending over to do bodywork

 

Looks unfinished.

 

I’m sorry, I would not mind owning that car. I know it has some ****yness but really it looks kinda cool even if the proportions are a bit off. Don’t have a ton of cash to spend on something everyone thinks is right,, I like it. Hate me if you want ....Mitch

 

Unfinished...

 

What color is that? It is good looking color with the wide whites?


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I might reach out to the seller.

 

Pretty sure that color is Fawn

 

looks like they made the "trunk lid" still open so there is access to the bed. quite clever.

 

This looks way better.

 

I should have known better. My 61 was that color. That’s probably why I liked it. Lol


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Agree with the unfinished look. Not understanding the lower door look either.

 

@Moriarity I am with you, it looks photoshopped. See the bed opening "rails" they get a little weird 1/3 back.

 

The unfinished door line is wonky for sure. But the bed already looks kinda short, I think if you put the longer 2 door sedan doors on this as some are suggesting, it would look like a coupe with the top of the trunk lid missing.

There were quite a few cars made into pickup trucks like this in the custom car era, this one's not the worst ute conversion I've ever seen, and could be a fun beater/driver, but it's got some odd proportions and details going on.

 

Keep in mind this isn't a $50k build.

 

Yep, that would be the gold standard!
I've always thought that rear window overhang looked a little weird on the sedans but this car is so swoopy it actually works very nicely.

 

I hear you. I was just seconding that I could see it how Mark sees it. It's not good or bad... maybe, if anything, it's good to point out the unrefined areas to work a better deal.

 

Geez guys you expect every car built to win the Riddler.... give it up and get real...

 

I think you guys are overestimating the skill and effort put into this thing.

 

These conversions rarely look 'right' unfortunately, especially if using 4dr front doors. Ford got it 'right' with the Ranchero and it's flat rear gl***. The '59-60 El Caminos were the only successful versions not to have flat rear gl***, and even GM switched to flat gl*** when the El Camino reappeared in '64.

 

I want to see more photos

 

Me too.. The area inside the bed were the back panel meets.

 

I actually like the proportions. sort of the "middle sister" between a corvair and impala.

 

That indeed looks like a photoshop or a bad job of completing the change.

I had a 59 ElCamino and it was no doubt built on a 59 two door station wagon platform as it had a panel at the front of the bed floor that unbolted that covered the station wagon back seat floor boards.

If I was going to do a 61 I'd start with a wagon but to do it right and have it be able to line up beside a 59 and a 60 would take pieces from about three rigs to accomplish right. To my knowledge They didn't make a 61 two door wagon so a 4 door would have to be the base for the build. Best would be to get door tops and the roof and back window off a 59 or 60 that was otherwise roached out and maybe use the doors off a 61 two door post. Some real hard to find parts involved to get it right though.

 

Now that one the top looks right! The longer door and getting rid of the quarter gl*** does the trick. Just needs another tail light on each side (3 per side).

 

Start with any gm long roof. Cot the top off from just in front of the front door opening. Get a two door rear roof back window section and the two doors. Weld the back door skin back on all the way. Would give a much better finished product.

 

I agree