Projects My '59 El Camino - 8-13-11 - It's Finally Done

Do you get many comments about this? I'm guessing most people don't get it. I love little details like this and had to comment on it.

 

Thanks Kent. I'm having a difficult time getting around lately.

Thanks Mike

Thanks Jim

I took the pictures Saturday and my right hip and legs hurt so much that I put my camera away. I'll post them as soon as I get better, if ever...

Thanks Jay. True, if not for you I would not have been able to save that broken fuel injection emblem. Funny, it was broken into 4 pieces but the seller knew what he had and made me pay dearly. Stranger yet, I found the left side flag the same day. I had to have a right side (mirror image) carved out. It all worked out well.........although very expensive.

Your right Tommy. Some guys that are near my age get it but not many younger guys do. I'm sure more will get it when they read this and google it. Strickler was lucky/smart enough to marry Ammon R. Smith's daughter, securing sponsorship during his great career, even after switching to Dodge.I love little off the wall details on my cars.........Mike

 

I'm sorry to hear of your heatlth issues, chronic pain is difficult to deal with. Hope you are feeling better soon.

As for the El Camino, it's just the finest example ever. Thanks for sharing!
-Danny

 

Have I told you latley how much i love your elky !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thats one bad Elco. I love it.

 

Thanks Danny. My arthritis is really getting to me. It's a bitch getting old. At least I'm young at heart and mind..................Mike

Thanks Cody, it won't be long 'til yours is there. Not that long for Jay or Nads as well..................Mike

Thanks Comet, I appreciate it..................Mike

 

Just when you think it can't get any better... it does! Awesome! Just freakin' awesome! Do hope you're feeling better soon so that you can get out and enjoy it some more.

 

I'ts all urine now pee pee! way to go that thing is bitchin.

 

Thanks for your kind words and thoughts...........Mike

 

Looks killer!!!, has that simple basic visual impact that also says attitude, nice stance

 

I used to drive up there on Fri nights. I was there one night when they halted the racing so that a plane could land. Dave was my favorite driver at that time. I never knew he was a son-in-law. Learned something new.....again!

 

I loved the 60's. I was 16 in 1961 and drove to all of these dealers and their race shops. I was lucky during the 60's. Within 14 miles of my house was;
Hodges Dodges- Ramchargers
Hamilton Motors- Golden Commandos
Stark Hickey Ford- Dick Brannon
Royal Pontiac- Jim Wangers
Packer Pontiac- Howard Masales
George delorean
Bob Ford- Kenny Vogt and Les Richter Thunderbolt
Mc Cullough-Ricci- Al Eckstrand

Not race related but I only lived 1 1/2 miles from Alexander Brothers shop on Grand River and Littlefield and would ride over there 4 times a week after school until I got my license and drove there. Larry taught me how to block sand, wheel properly and taught me to use Meguire's #7 seal and re-seal that came in glass bottles at that time. What a great pair of friendly, kind, talented guys.

My Dad was a friend of Andy Hotten, who owned Dearborn Steel Tubing Co. They built all of the '64 Thunderbolts. My dad was into old cars at the time and that's whay they became friends............Mike

 

Looks damn good. Can I have it? Or at least a ride?

 

Thanks, I like them simple............Mike

 

The Best El Camino I have ever seen... Job well done. Great detail ! cheers Rob

 

The green glass really shows, being everything is black. I remember saying in the beginning of my build thread, black is always my number one choice when I think about painting a car. Always amazing, Mr.Mike!

 

mike this is the reason you are such an intresting preson to talk to. all this exposure to all that history.
When "they"say"MADE IN THE SHADE BY COOL PEOPLE IN DETROIT" you know them all. I mean this as an extreme complament!!

 

Yes!

 

Perfect!

 

Thanks Rob, I agree with you regarding the detail. It's of upmost importance on all of my builds...............Mike

 

Your '34 Vicky grabbed me when I saw it on Mark's Hop Up site. My '27 T Hiboy tub has been launched in that direction, I was 'moved'!

Now this extreme black El Camino. (so, just what do you suppose I'm going to do with my '55 F 100? Hmmmm?)

Such beauty! Amazing, the 'basics'...

 

Added shots, including interior.........

 

WOW, great job and the black paint and interior look awesome!

 

Thanks, I appreciate it...............Mike

 

i'm speechless, just beautiful.

 

Mike, do as I did with my '56 F100. I painted it black. The paint was perfect and then I decided to remove all of the exterior handles, nameplates and still had to remove the gas filler. This picture, from 1979 parked next to my buddy's '31 roadster, shows the leaded in sections in dark gray primer. We all say that there were cars/trucks we should have kept. I own, and have owned a lot of cars/trucks in my life but I should have kept this one. I owned it from 1973-1985. My best friend bugged me for 8 years and I finally caved in and sold it to him. Take your time and block it properly. There's a lot of sheet metal on that thing, just like my El Camino..............Mike

 

Sweeeet! Never seen a better one.

 

Thanks hozem396. I really appreciate the compliment. It started as a simple clean up and mechanical upgrade. Then it took on a life of it's own. A lot more time, and money, that I had planned on but I had to do it the way that made me happy.....Mike

After looking at my photos I need to restore the generator housing, a/c compressor, install new decals on both and then paint the radiator top. Then, maybe it will be done.....

 

Just an unbelievable job ! Your pics are one of the reasons I found The H.A.M.B.
Love the interior , I gotta do the houndstooth interior in mine , love it !

 

The black/white houndstooth is '60 El Camino trim. '59 did not offer any black interior.