82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/car/379112553.html

stagefright4

only in new mexico. lol at least it wasnt down here that would be a new low for us.

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

Call me a fool but I like it! It's very similiar to the Choo Choo El Camino's. Do you have dibs, Iron Duke? If not, I'm going to inquire.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

At least it's an El Camino becoming a Camaro. Not a Camaro becoming an El Camino.

CraZ-28

Thats old news there. I've seen one up close and personal before. There is a fireman for Rural Metro on the southside that has one. It looks real nice and he's had it since the mid 90's. Dark Maroon with a big block. Real head turner. He spent a lot of time putting it together but in the end it was well worth it.

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

Found out that Crystallite Engineering is now Lauren Engineering and that they still market the kit to transform the El Camino to the El Camaro. It's not as nice as the Choo Choo. A well done Choo Choo does it for me. I would be especially nice with a 3rd Gen drivetrain....a modified TPI, Superram or HSR with a B/W six speed. Tell me this doesn't catch your eye.....

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

I feel dirty, but I like it. :S

I guess that's the principle of the El Camino though. Take a fast car, and throw a truck bed on it. So the Choo Choo is a Monte with a truck bed? Interesting.

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

The Choo Choo was a complete conversion that was out of Chatanooga, Tennesee and sold at selected Chevrolet dealerships. The El Camaro, as best as I can tell from research, was only a kit. It's sold through Lauren Engineering whom sells a couple of other conversion kits. The El Camaro isn't bad but not my favorite. The Choo Choo is the grey car...er...truck. The blue is the El Camaro.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

You know, as much as I hate those Camaros that get turned into trucks (or get welded to a Blazer frame), I really do like the El Camaro and the Choo Choo El Camino. Might be because I find 80's Elky's so plain and boring compared to the 60's and 70's, but it definately gives a unique look.

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

Yeah....it's hard to be a 3rd Gen lover and not like the Choo Choo or El Camaro as the two cars are really a tribute to the same style that has made 3rd Gen Camaro's pleasing to the eye. Just for grins, open the hatch to your 3rd Gen and kneel off the corner of your front fender. Look down the side of your car. I bet someone had that same view when they thought up the Choo Choo and El Camaro's. Mine is not the best example as it's sanded and getting ready for the paint booth....but you get the idea. Look how the sail panels must have inspired the El Camino's.

And ditto on the Camaro to 4 X 4 scene. That is truly ugly.

82 Iron Duke

iTrader: (21)

Actually I don't have dibs on it, inquire away my friend. I just came across the vehicle while searching and thought is was a bit peculiar. The knowledge gained from this site is amazing, thank for sharing the info and the picture of the white El Camaro (it looks sweet)

briwar454

my next car has to be an el camino. i'm pretty sure that my car will get hit one day on the streets of l.a. i'm gonna take out my rebuilt 305, tranny, drive train and throw it in an 80s el camino that needs an engine! those pics helped the dream!

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

Ditto. I've always wrote off the 80's El Caminos, but I've been wanting a truck so I can haul something (even a little S10 would have done) and now I'm thinking an 80's Elky might just work fine.

briwar454

has anyone tried to make on look like a trans am? probably too hard to install the flip up head lights. i would love to put a screamin' bird on the hood of my elcamino.

TonyC

iTrader: (1)

Wow, I opened this thread expecting to completely vomit but....I actually kinda like the thing!

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

Unfortunetly for me, I inquired about the ad. The car is just a shell. No engine or trans as stated but also no interior what so ever. Not even a steering column. I haven't seen it yet but it better be totally rust free and pretty darn straight before I dish out that kind of scratch for a basket case. I am up to my elbows in a nearly completed body off resto/modded 66 El Camino and I'm tired. The truck started off as a really great starter....no rust, straight panels, good glass but even so, the amount of work is incredible! This EL Camaro would lead me down the same road. I just don't know if I have it in me again....not to mention, the paint and mods I have to finish on the '88 RS.

What's cool about G-bodies like the El Camaro and Choo choo is they have so much aftermarket support. I like that they are full frame vehicles and they have the short/long a-arm front suspension. The rear four link is alright, though not as nice as our 3rd gen F cars but the full frame allows the change over to 3rd gen F car 3 link or ....Hot Rods to Hell supplies a Truck Arm kit...There is even a company that has a weld in Watts Link Style suspension. And it's a fairly simple weld in for a C4 Corvette Dana 44. I think that would be my route. C4 Corvette in the rear and Global West A arms in the front with Koni Yellows all the way around. 17" CCW wheels with 275 KDW's. LSx powered with a World Products 4.125" block and a 4" stroke. AFR or RHS heads and a Comp. Solid roller cam.....T56 six speed....Gold paint with a hint of Eastwood Gold translucent powdercoat on those polished CCW wheels..........Ok...I have to go get a cigarette....or a cold shower !

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

Now I've been reluctant to offer this last example of the type of kit that Lauren Engineer sells because I don't want to stretch the boundaries of the topics that Third Gen.com allows but if the administrator is patient...I'll tie it in to 3rd gen F cars.

This is a Lumina Conversion that Lauren sells. It's probably the most aero of all the kits and conversions for the El Camino I've seen. The first is the front view of the kit and....for the administrators, the 3rd Gen Drivetrain and Chromed IROC wheels.

Duck

I agree! There's a lot of utility in having a Camaro-like pickup able to haul a bunch of stuff and a couple engine blocks in the back!

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

Just wanted to share a couple of nice El Camino examples. The one with the stocker front end is for sale on Ebay right now. A good example of what nice wheels, a killer stance and nice paint can do for an otherwise mundane machine. The other has a complete Grand National drivetrain and the looks that don't hide that fact.

I picked up a clean rust free example in the Phoenix area. The delivery driver said I could buy these all day long in Arizona. There are a few here in Albuquerque too but the asking prices are too high. I got a 1979 with no motor, transmission or rear end. The car was an abandon project. It has the Global West front a-arms and F-car 1LE front brakes with B-car spindles, new front end suspension hardware, Energy Suspension body mounts and a custom transmission crossmember with double humps for dual exhaust. I think I did alright. $650 including delivery.

ryan91rs

iTrader: (1)

The alumina nose is very popular with G body guys. The only visual changes they had were ss, choo choo and conquista. not many choices so they want to change it up when they can.

sorry guys but i would trade my RS in a heart beat to get back into a 81-88 el camino. and a Conquista (ss suspension minus the F41 bars and it's a sleeper w/ power everything and a posi)

the camaro nose i never liked and it was not as popular as the ss or choo choo. My favorite kit was:

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

Just a little heads-up. If you have upgraded your 3rd gen F car lower control arms, keep them for your Elky. They fit 79-85 G-bodies. 3rd Gen front springs fit as well.

ryan91rs

iTrader: (1)

Really? if that is a fact then I can get G body lower control arms are cheaper for some reason.... might have to look into that.

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

The only difference would be to make sure that the sway bar mounts are present if you need them. Length and bolt hole diameters are identical.

ryan91rs

iTrader: (1)

yes well some you can get with no holes. So i could measure drill and bolt. Thanks for the info!

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

Just for clarification....We are talking rear lower control arms.

toms84ss

iTrader: (1)

I think the fronts will interchange also.

wesilva

iTrader: (35)

From a performance stand point, the 78-79 'Caminos come in at 3000 lbs. That's pretty darn light.