I picked up this El Camino on December 9th, 2000. I purchased this truck for $300.00.
First inspection was good and only some minor damage here and there to the body and
some fiberglass damage on the front end. It is a white base with a Brown and gold SS
stripe package and the original SS Rally wheels.
I borrowed Mitch's truck and trailer to get the vehicle home. After getting lost once or
twice I found the place. I winched it up on the truck and within 20 minutes I had her paid
for and was on my way back to the spot that this Elky would call home for the next
several months. She road well on the trailer, even though, I had to load it "bas-akwards"
on to the trailer. It must have been quite a sight, a Ford, towing a Chevrolet. I can hear
the Ford boys now.
I took her to the house first so that I could look at her. I had My Christmas present, well
one of them. Just days before, December 6th, my daughter gave birth to my second Grand
baby. Lauryn Isabella Engstrom-Beeson, she was my Christmas present! My lovely little, 7
lb. 8 oz., 19" long, bundle of wonderment, head full of black hair and she knew right out
of the shoot she had grandpa wrapped around her little finger. I was my daughter's coach
during delivery. What an experience.
First inspection was good and only some minor damage here and there to the body and
some fiberglass damage on the front end. It is a white base with a Brown and gold SS
stripe package and the original SS Rally wheels.
I borrowed Mitch's truck and trailer to get the vehicle home. After getting lost once or
twice I found the place. I winched it up on the truck and within 20 minutes I had her paid
for and was on my way back to the spot that this Elky would call home for the next
several months. She road well on the trailer, even though, I had to load it "bas-akwards"
on to the trailer. It must have been quite a sight, a Ford, towing a Chevrolet. I can hear
the Ford boys now.
I took her to the house first so that I could look at her. I had My Christmas present, well
one of them. Just days before, December 6th, my daughter gave birth to my second Grand
baby. Lauryn Isabella Engstrom-Beeson, she was my Christmas present! My lovely little, 7
lb. 8 oz., 19" long, bundle of wonderment, head full of black hair and she knew right out
of the shoot she had grandpa wrapped around her little finger. I was my daughter's coach
during delivery. What an experience.
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After inspecting the truck and getting some initial pictures I headed to Mitch's place in Alvarado Texas. "Mitch Muse Auto and Diesel." Mitch and my job were to do
all the work. I looked under the hood and found no carburetor, Distributor and sundry other little pieces missing. It has a 5.0 liter (305 HO) four barrel from the
factory.
The truck is in pretty good shape overall. There are a few minor spots that will need some work but the body's overall condition is great compared to the '76 El
Camino Classic. The front window will be replaced. All the windows have a really bad tint that will need to come off and the plastic parts of the interior will need to
be replaced. E.C. Parts & The El Camino Store along with J.C. Whitney, Jeg's and NPD will be big on the list for this truck.
all the work. I looked under the hood and found no carburetor, Distributor and sundry other little pieces missing. It has a 5.0 liter (305 HO) four barrel from the
factory.
The truck is in pretty good shape overall. There are a few minor spots that will need some work but the body's overall condition is great compared to the '76 El
Camino Classic. The front window will be replaced. All the windows have a really bad tint that will need to come off and the plastic parts of the interior will need to
be replaced. E.C. Parts & The El Camino Store along with J.C. Whitney, Jeg's and NPD will be big on the list for this truck.
VIN # *1W80HAR414066
Here is how it breaks down:
The format for 1972 to 1980 VIN's is as follows:
1 – General Motors Division Code
W – This is the Model Series Code for Malibu Classic and El Camino
80 – Body Style, 2-Dr. Pickup Delivery
H – Engine Code (V-8, 305cid)
* K = V-6, 229cid
* A = V-6, 231cid
* J = V-8, 267cid
* H = V-8, 305cid
A – Model Year (1980)
R – This is the Assembly Plant code
* B = Baltimore, MD
* D = Doraville, GA
* K = Leeds, MO
* R = Arlington, TX
* Z = Fremont, CA
* 1 = Oshawa, Canada
Last six numbers, 414066 – Sequential Production Number
1 - Chevrolet Division
W - El Camino
80 - 2-dr pickup delivery
H - 305 V8 RPO LG4 4 BC
A - 1980
R - Final Assembly Plant code for Arlington, Texas
414066 - unit serial number
Rear End code is: (6AC 292 2) <- Original Factory Code (3.08:1 Peg Leg).
Here is how it breaks down:
The format for 1972 to 1980 VIN's is as follows:
1 – General Motors Division Code
W – This is the Model Series Code for Malibu Classic and El Camino
80 – Body Style, 2-Dr. Pickup Delivery
H – Engine Code (V-8, 305cid)
* K = V-6, 229cid
* A = V-6, 231cid
* J = V-8, 267cid
* H = V-8, 305cid
A – Model Year (1980)
R – This is the Assembly Plant code
* B = Baltimore, MD
* D = Doraville, GA
* K = Leeds, MO
* R = Arlington, TX
* Z = Fremont, CA
* 1 = Oshawa, Canada
Last six numbers, 414066 – Sequential Production Number
1 - Chevrolet Division
W - El Camino
80 - 2-dr pickup delivery
H - 305 V8 RPO LG4 4 BC
A - 1980
R - Final Assembly Plant code for Arlington, Texas
414066 - unit serial number
Rear End code is: (6AC 292 2) <- Original Factory Code (3.08:1 Peg Leg).
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I am free to layout several different schemes to look at and consider. I have looked at several upgrade options such as ground effects and nose conversion some
interior upgrades like new buckets and a console with floor shift. Maybe a NEW 400 Hp Small Block and 700R4 transmission to scoot it down the road with.
It has been decided that February will be the start date for the 1980 El Camino SS. I've discussed with Mitch the color but that is way down the road from here! It is
early February and first things first we need to get her back on her feet and running like a new truck (or better) and tags. I'll pull the Edelbrock Street Dominator,
QuadraJet and Distributor from the 76 El Camino. The '76 El Camino and me are going to have some fun this year too! - (April Update - This will not happen)
First order to get Tires and then get her a new "heart and sole", so she is willing to move freely about the US. I think a 350 4 bolt to start with is an acceptable
upgrade. Rebuild the transmission and get a title! All the Interior parts will have to be completed and ready to reinstall after the paint goes on. Upgrades there include
new buckets, I just don't like a bench seat, short drivers tend to cramp you and generally there is no fit. Like sittin' on a board with a seat belt. I like my Chevy to hug
me back! The dash has all the factory gauges instead of Dummy Lights except a Tack. I have the tack that came in those years and it will be fit in where the clock is.
I am still not fixed on the interior just yet. I guess two things at once is about all I want to keep up with at any time on this project. I'll hammer down the other stuff
as time goes on. Right now while we have it in pieces we'll do some essential over all maintenance on things that are normally really hard to get to any other way. We
will replace the bushings entirely front to rear. Jeg's sells a complete kit. This truck will not look or run like it did when GM built it - It'll be better!
The outside will be decked out rather well. We'll be upgrading that with a new SS Stage II Nose Conversion and Stage II Ground Effects and a wrap around bumper
cover courtesy of Lauren Engineering. To finish the upgrades we'll be adding a hard bed cover, from EC Parts, and rear spoiler also from Lauren Engineering along
with new window felt sets from EC Parts and door gasket/Seals. It will be Quasar Blue Metallic (DuPont Chromalusion Coarse Blass Berry Blue Metallic). There will
be two Silver Pearl Metallic SS Strips Running the length of the truck then down the tailgate.
Mitch Muse Diesel & Automotive, of Alvarado Texas is where all the work will be done. Mitch knows high performance and custom paint & body and I worked with
him on the 76 Elky. The body work will be very light although there does seem to be some hail damage now that I've had a better chance to see it.
interior upgrades like new buckets and a console with floor shift. Maybe a NEW 400 Hp Small Block and 700R4 transmission to scoot it down the road with.
It has been decided that February will be the start date for the 1980 El Camino SS. I've discussed with Mitch the color but that is way down the road from here! It is
early February and first things first we need to get her back on her feet and running like a new truck (or better) and tags. I'll pull the Edelbrock Street Dominator,
QuadraJet and Distributor from the 76 El Camino. The '76 El Camino and me are going to have some fun this year too! - (April Update - This will not happen)
First order to get Tires and then get her a new "heart and sole", so she is willing to move freely about the US. I think a 350 4 bolt to start with is an acceptable
upgrade. Rebuild the transmission and get a title! All the Interior parts will have to be completed and ready to reinstall after the paint goes on. Upgrades there include
new buckets, I just don't like a bench seat, short drivers tend to cramp you and generally there is no fit. Like sittin' on a board with a seat belt. I like my Chevy to hug
me back! The dash has all the factory gauges instead of Dummy Lights except a Tack. I have the tack that came in those years and it will be fit in where the clock is.
I am still not fixed on the interior just yet. I guess two things at once is about all I want to keep up with at any time on this project. I'll hammer down the other stuff
as time goes on. Right now while we have it in pieces we'll do some essential over all maintenance on things that are normally really hard to get to any other way. We
will replace the bushings entirely front to rear. Jeg's sells a complete kit. This truck will not look or run like it did when GM built it - It'll be better!
The outside will be decked out rather well. We'll be upgrading that with a new SS Stage II Nose Conversion and Stage II Ground Effects and a wrap around bumper
cover courtesy of Lauren Engineering. To finish the upgrades we'll be adding a hard bed cover, from EC Parts, and rear spoiler also from Lauren Engineering along
with new window felt sets from EC Parts and door gasket/Seals. It will be Quasar Blue Metallic (DuPont Chromalusion Coarse Blass Berry Blue Metallic). There will
be two Silver Pearl Metallic SS Strips Running the length of the truck then down the tailgate.
Mitch Muse Diesel & Automotive, of Alvarado Texas is where all the work will be done. Mitch knows high performance and custom paint & body and I worked with
him on the 76 Elky. The body work will be very light although there does seem to be some hail damage now that I've had a better chance to see it.
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By the first of March we started getting in the parts that were ordered for the "Aero" body and the Engine. From Lauren Engineering, we got the Stage II SS Nose
Conversion, the Stage II Ground Effects, the Rear Bumper Rap and the Rear Deck Spoiler. It came in a great big truck. After unloading the parts and un-boxing them
we found that the Brake Light was broken. I called Lauren Engineering explained what had been found, they quickly gave me an RA number and I sent off the broken
light for another.
We got the Carpet Set, Bed Lid and Window Felt Sets from EC PARTS (El Camino Parts). They were very friendly and informative, so I "snuck" in an order for my
76 Fender and door molding, and in delivery there were no surprises. Every thing I ordered came in and it was all correct.
It is December 2002 and I have placed the final orders for the interior Door Uppers and Lowers along with the Center Plastic Molding for the 80 Elky. I sent the
order in to EC Parts and was contacted for additional information on the truck, by Rick over at EC Parts, by phone. He wanted to make sure that I had not ordered
the wrong parts. I had once again put in an additional order for some vent louver for the 76 Elky and he was making sure that those were for a 76 not an 80. He also
wanted to check to see if the 80 Elky had electric windows. It makes a difference in the Lower Door Plastic. Finally he wanted to let me know that I had not allowed
enough shipping charges. The Door Panels are considered "Double Over sized" freight. So additional money was sent.
Jeg's High Performance was where the parts for the engine and other came from. I am still waiting on some of the parts. I have to say from the three vendors I have
dealt with theirs was the poorest on the satisfaction scale. I spent the most with them. I never got notified in any manner when some of the parts were 'on order' and
would not be in until "June". I called because I was missing parts from my order when it arrived. Then they COD'd me the replacement parts that were already paid
for. Well only the ones that have came so far. We're still talking with them.
Now we had everything in and all was ready to start. The first order of business will be to tear it down to it's basic parts and start cleaning, throw away the excess
and repair any damaged stuff that will be kept. This will be the first man hours spent in what could end up being thousands. At times I can picture some of the things
this project will end up with, in my mind. For now, it's more of a kaleidoscope of images of what can be inside, outside and all!
Conversion, the Stage II Ground Effects, the Rear Bumper Rap and the Rear Deck Spoiler. It came in a great big truck. After unloading the parts and un-boxing them
we found that the Brake Light was broken. I called Lauren Engineering explained what had been found, they quickly gave me an RA number and I sent off the broken
light for another.
We got the Carpet Set, Bed Lid and Window Felt Sets from EC PARTS (El Camino Parts). They were very friendly and informative, so I "snuck" in an order for my
76 Fender and door molding, and in delivery there were no surprises. Every thing I ordered came in and it was all correct.
It is December 2002 and I have placed the final orders for the interior Door Uppers and Lowers along with the Center Plastic Molding for the 80 Elky. I sent the
order in to EC Parts and was contacted for additional information on the truck, by Rick over at EC Parts, by phone. He wanted to make sure that I had not ordered
the wrong parts. I had once again put in an additional order for some vent louver for the 76 Elky and he was making sure that those were for a 76 not an 80. He also
wanted to check to see if the 80 Elky had electric windows. It makes a difference in the Lower Door Plastic. Finally he wanted to let me know that I had not allowed
enough shipping charges. The Door Panels are considered "Double Over sized" freight. So additional money was sent.
Jeg's High Performance was where the parts for the engine and other came from. I am still waiting on some of the parts. I have to say from the three vendors I have
dealt with theirs was the poorest on the satisfaction scale. I spent the most with them. I never got notified in any manner when some of the parts were 'on order' and
would not be in until "June". I called because I was missing parts from my order when it arrived. Then they COD'd me the replacement parts that were already paid
for. Well only the ones that have came so far. We're still talking with them.
Now we had everything in and all was ready to start. The first order of business will be to tear it down to it's basic parts and start cleaning, throw away the excess
and repair any damaged stuff that will be kept. This will be the first man hours spent in what could end up being thousands. At times I can picture some of the things
this project will end up with, in my mind. For now, it's more of a kaleidoscope of images of what can be inside, outside and all!
| Last revised: Thursday September 7, 2006 9:05 AM CST Copyright © 1999-2005, V. R. Engstrom, All Rights Reserved |
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