1959-60 Elky

This is the thread I started to creat before I messed up with a file that was slightly too big. By the time I got back to my post, all my text was gone. So here we go again...

Chris asked me to post some details about a few of my cars so here goes.

1959 El Camino 348 cu.in. 3x2 carbs with a Muncie Corvette 4-speed. I have had the car for about 15 years and have been working on it to some degree throughout that time. It is pretty much finished, but there are always things that can be done to make it better.

Right now, it is running about 350hp. I have some engine work that I am currently doing to get the car back up to 400hp. If I get the "bug" while doing the engine work I may bump my hp goals a bit higher. (more than likely) 450-500 is a fairly achievable goal.

It has 255x15 front tires with 295x15 rear. The car is currently taken apart for some upgrading I am doing. One of which is the addition of a full set of 20" wheels and low profile tires. This requires me to completely remake the inner fenders to accommodate the huge wheels. The car is so low that there is not much room in the fender wells.

I lowered the car about 10" in the front and 7" in the back. I redesigned the front end around a set of late 70s Nova 11" disc brakes which required me to make special A-frames upper and lower for proper handling at the low ride height. It sets about 1 1/2" off the ground with NO airbags. I am an Engineer and will always believe in REAL tunable suspension. You would be surprised what the car can go over without bottoming out.

I am working on the car again for a few upgrades in addition to the 20" wheels. I am putting in a Richmond 6 speed, a Fab9 Ford 9inch rear end, and 13" crossdrilled Baer brakes on all four corners.

The interior is mostly finished with the exception of the door panels which need updating. That will be the last thing to be done after the engine and chassis mods.

So there it is... There is another picture of the car on the other thread I accidentally created. "Pic #1"

Another try at the pic.

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/biggthumpup.gif Looks awesome!!!

Pic 2:

All better. :D I really like the contrast between the bright red paint and the snow. :flash:

Those pictures were taken up in Montana where my family is from. The car is originally from that area. I definitely get the looks from people driving a car like that in Montana in the winter with snow on the ground. That isn't the usual Montana mode of transportation. :)

Wow! not only are you clearly a great Car builder, but also a great photographer, the pic of your other camino in the sunrise is just amazing.
You could make your self an el camino calander. :D

So how popular were they in there time? Iv only ever seen one down this way as an import.

The El Camino was Chevrolets answer to the Ranchero. In 1959, the Elky was a far more durable car, but only lasted for the two years and was cancelled. Not enough popularity, I suppose. But then in 1964, it was reintroduced, but smaller. It quickly filled a gap in the market for the American public. They finally figured out that the Elky was the best of both worlds, handling like a car and hauling like a truck. Then the performance aspect kicked in with the advent of the SS. From then on, Ford couldn't touch the popularity of the Elky.

The 1970 Elky was the pinnacle of the El Camino. It was the most powerful and the most optioned. Even today, the '70 is the definition of the Elky. The '70 will always bring more money than any other year in original condition. In many cases, the Elky will bring more money than the Chevelle of the same year considering the cars are the very same options.

I love both of my cars. I have put hundreds and hundreds more hours in my 59 than my 70, so I suppose it is worth more to me. I have many new things that I have in mind for the 59 as well. I think I outlined some of those things in the thread above. There is always more to do to make it better. I do all of my own work, just because I prefer the way I do things better than most professional shops. They are faster at getting things done, but I would rather do it anyway. When it all comes down to it, I can say that I did all the work on the car 100% rather than paying someone to do it the way I want it. I feel that most of the fun is actually doing the work.

As for the pictures, I have taken a few rolls of film in my time. As you will note from my vehicle list and from some of my other posts, I have been through a few of the high end exotic cars as well. I sell them as a hobby. In that effort, I have accumulated around 400 rolls of film, all of cars, mostly the high end cars that I have either sold or that I keep track of. After taking that much film, one gets to know what to look for and how to take the shot. You have to take advantage of a good photo op. when you see it. :) It is not very often that I have a street rod that is 1.5" off the ground in Montana in winter.

Thanks for the comments.

Can you tell all the vendors to contacted to complete your elky to the watit is now also concering your tail lights is the other light your brake or turn signal I am rewiring my brother in laws 59 and doing all the body work and its alot the 59 is a rust bucket but hes proud of it any help thanks diagrams of wiring e-mail them to me!;)

Eddie,

As for my 59, I did all the work myself. There are very few things that I ever need to send out for outside work with the exception of rebuilt steering sectors, power steering pumps, or other similar parts.

As for the tail lights, in the rear of an Elky, the inner and outer serve as both tail light and turn signal. They are both functional at the same time. Left Inner/Left Outer and Right/Inner and Right/Outer. I do not have any wiring diagrams, but I have found the car to be quite simple. There really isn't any seriously complex wiring in the car, unless you start getting into after market parts and such, as I have.

Hope that helps.

An El Camino with fins... I love it. Beautiful vehicle. :flash:

those are some real cool pics!

niiiiiiiice!:frog:

Pic 2:
tried to view your 59 elky pics but response is "no attachment found". I am new to this forum stuff, so let me know what I am missing. kelcamino.