With me spending about half my time in St. Louis (pre COVID at least) I’ve been looking for something to occupy my time when I’m down here. I recently bought a ‘60 El Camino that will be delivered on Saturday. The previous owner bought it in a package of cars from an estate auction. It was a frame off that was in the reassembly stage and then the project stalled. Because of the passing of the owner restoring the car, and the fact there were around 70 cars being liquidated, a lot of the parts not reinstalled went missing. I’ve got a lot of hunting to do which for me is one of the more enjoyable parts of the hobby. Any suggestions where I could look to for parts? The list is long, but here’s what is missing (off the top of my head): Thermostat and housing Engine accessory brackets Air cleaner Radiator Shroud Windshield wiper bezels Headlight trim Rear bumper Rear glass Rear glass weatherstripping Rear glass trim Driver’s window glass Drivers window support channel Headlight switch and knob Wiper switch Radio Horn ring Shift indicator Heater box Heater core Drive shaft Kick panels Box trim (partial) Interior box rear panels (4) Tailgate inner panel Hood latch assembly Passenger front park light housing Front park lights Side trim (both sides) Gas tank Fuel sender unit El Camino fender emblems Door garnish moldings Headlight surround trim Passenger side tailgate trim Looking forward to getting started on this. Allan
Dude That car is so nice!!! WOW!! Black wheels with chrome lug nuts.. What engine does it have? A 409-348 with trips would be amazing but a nice stock 454/Th400 would work. Get a new radiator from Champion on e-Bay..
It’s an original 348 and Powerglide car. Engine and transmission are rebuilt. Data tag says it originally came with tinted windows, padded dash and power seat..... or steering. The code on the cowl tag “FR” isn’t clear on the net as to what it identifies. Maybe FR is “front rack”?
I would look for a solid parts car with your list being that long. Cool car, 60 Elco is on my short list
You know there is a guy out there somewhere looking at a trunk full of 60 El Camino parts, wondering what are these for?
If I had that El Camino and you had a pink feather we would both be tickled pink You done good my friend! I see quite a few of the items you need are available from aftermarket suppliers, the rest will give you the fun of tracking them down at swap meets, the internet etc. As you said, a lot of the fun of this hobby is the thrill of the hunt. Good luck!!
Just missed a ‘60 Bel Air two door post a couple hours west of St. Louis. The car is going to New Jersey. lol No shit!
Dang that is nice. Good luck on finding parts. Keep looking on classifieds. Just wish I was 20 yr younger I had a 59 once & there is a lot room in the front seat area.
The car was built at the LA plant and was an original California car. Not sure when it made its way East. It is unbelievably solid. The bumper sticker on the rear bumper is cool which kind of confirms it spent some time in CA.
All the spots that rust look to either been repaired or not rusted at all, great score. A lot of that stuff you listed is Elco only (they didn't have a padded dash also), the hardest being the side trim (strips not the bird) and the precisest would be the bed top trim (without someone drilling in snaps). Doors forward is car stuff, interior is low end cars stuff, I haven't looked in years but the bed floor/tail gate grate was super hard to find (but could be made). Now I miss driving mine......but at least it's still in line.
Good idea! I’ve been a member there for years. Fortunately I have a distributor and generator/ps pump for it up north that I’ll bring south next time I’m up there. Come to think of it I’ve got a full set of Impala hubcaps also, but really kind of like the look of the dog dish caps. There’s a later PS pump hooked up to the rack and just held up with a strap. Are brackets available to mount a later PS pump to a “W” Block?
Thanks. I was kind of wondering about the padded dash as I thought the El Camino was in the Biscayne line? Deciphering the cowl tag on the 60 Impala site I visited It said “IP” was padded dash though? If anyone can tell me what IP and FR are, that would be appreciated. Also would anyone be able to decipher what color and interior the car was originally? I’ve got most of the bed top trim. I think missing is the driver’s rear corner and possibly the front box section.
It could bought with either Biscayne or Bel Air trim. I've seen both. And if the padded dash was an option, you could just order it. It wasn't standard on Impalas.
The FR may relate to being a 348 car/truck. Didn't the 348 have different badges front and rear than the small block and 6 cylinder. I know the 61 car do.
There's a bunch of factory literature on 1960 Chevys at the oldcarbrochures.org website that may be interesting reading for you: El Camino brochure: http://oldcarbrochures.org/United S...Camino_and_Sedan_Delivery_Brochure/index.html Other car brochures and factory literature, including a color guide and accessory guide: http://oldcarbrochures.org/United States/Chevrolet/1960-Chevrolet/index.html
Congrats @Al T...No matter how many times I see vintage tin, the Dry state bodies are overwhelming jaw droppers to this rust belter... Can't wait to see you get it together...
Yup, 348 had cross flags, the 283 had just the V and the 6 had just the emblem of the front. Good, I also see the gas tank, not sure if those are still hard to find....it's been years since I was really into research and parts for mine.