1968 El Camino Project

[motorbreaker]

Looking good. Welding patch panels sux. And looking at the pictures it looks like you have power disc brakes so your good there.

Any idea what color your going to paint the car?

 

[Quantum673]

The color will be a dark red. Somewhere around a candy apple. Probably a shade darker. That is what Connor wanted. It will have a black Vinyl top and Black racing stripes.

 

[Quantum673]

looks good im glad you have been able to work on it ive got a camaro me and lucas spent hours on and i havent touched except to pull the motor, one of these days ill get back to it but not sure when

It has been difficult. It has also been healing. I hope to see you get back on it.

 

[rsmith]

Sweet car! Going to restore more to original? Pro tourning concept? Pro street? Restomod? Either way great car, wish I was closer would love to lend a hand, if you have any bodywork questions I will try and help, did 2 years in high school of auto collision and also worked in a shop for a year, don't know a lot but know enough. Best of luck and keep the updates coming!

 

[rsmith]

Had this link saved from when I almost bought one, thought I would share with you
http://www.superchevy.com/features/1207chp-1968-chevrolet-el-camino-ss/trw-pistons.html

 

[Quantum673]

That's a sweet car in that article. Thanks for sharing.
We are staying mostly all original. Only real changes to the car will be the hood, wheels, motor and trans. Everything else staying original.

Got a little more done this weekend. Replaced the final qtr panel so all sheet metal is hung. I will do some final welding tonight and then start grinding and smoothing.

Did run into one issue. We removed the windshield to get things ready for paint. Realized that the windshield support channel is rusted almost completely out. So I will order a replacement and we will need to get it in. Need to get the back glass out. Hopefully it is not the same way.

 

[Quantum673]

All the sheet metal is in and the welds are all ground smooth. Tonight the real work begins. I will start body filler around the welds and try to get everything smoothed out. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have most of them close to done.

I will also get the front clip back on and all the gaps as good as I can get them. It will hopefully at least look like a car again instead of just a bunch of parts.
I will post some pics over the weekend as progress continues.

 

[Lumber head 75]

Sounds like you are making progress Jon. It's a lot of hard work but very rewarding. My dad and I have done several over the years. I'm working on putting our 1970 Challenger back together, but dad has stage 4 renal cancer so work has come to a halt. He wants to help finish it, I'm just not sure if he will get the chance. Time will tell. I think it is great that you are finishing what you and Connor started. What a way to honor his life, you rock buddy.

 

[Jackalope]

All the sheet metal is in and the welds are all ground smooth. Tonight the real work begins. I will start body filler around the welds and try to get everything smoothed out. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have most of them close to done.

I will also get the front clip back on and all the gaps as good as I can get them. It will hopefully at least look like a car again instead of just a bunch of parts.
I will post some pics over the weekend as progress continues.

Cool stuff buddy. Be sure to take pics of how she's coming along. Can't wait to see it done.

 

[Quantum673]

Got a few things done over the weekend. Still have a little bit to go.
This week the plan is to finish body filler work and start final sanding to get it ready for paint.

Here are pics.

 

[hickslawns]

Excellent Jon! Coming along for sure. Plenty to go, but you have gotten a bunch done. Keep up the good work!

 

[Hortontoter]

Looking good. That will be a sweet ride when it is finished.

 

[giles]

Way to stay on this. I know how easy it is to come up with excuses…it's hot, humidity it too high, gotta mow…lol. I might have to grab a couple cold ones and come check this out one of these days. I've helped block out a couple old cars back in the day.

 

[Quantum673]

Way to stay on this. I know how easy it is to come up with excuses…it's hot, humidity it too high, gotta mow…lol. I might have to grab a couple cold ones and come check this out one of these days. I've helped block out a couple old cars back in the day.

Anytime man. I was actually thinking of having a block party. LOL. Some people might get a little upset when they realize it isn't the kind of block party they were expecting. LOL.

I have a few more places to hit with filler then I will do the final glaze and then it is on to sanding and smoothing fun.

 

[Quantum673]

Got a lot done last night. Got all the bondo finished up and sanded smooth. Went ahead and hand sanded the entire car as well. Was very happy with how it turned out. It is very smooth. I believe a high build primer will take care of most the rest. Will be calling the paint guy today to have him come out and let me know what he thinks. I am sure he will point out a few things I need to do before he gets it and I am sure there are other things he will do once he gets it.
Tonight I will sand blast a couple areas I found last night then sand them smooth.

My plan has always been that I was not making this a show car. It was going to be Connor's daily driver so that is the approach I am taking.

The top of the car will be black vinyl and the bed will be spray in bed liner so I am not doing much there.

 

[teej89]

Holy crap can't believe that's the same one I saw in january, looks great!

 

[twireman]

Great job man. Gonna be a sweet ride!

 

[giles]

How'd that dash/windshield shaping come out?

 

[hickslawns]

I am pumped to see the finished product! Looking great Jon. Keep up the good work.

 

[Quantum673]

How'd that dash/windshield shaping come out?

Came out great. It was good to meet you and your boys. Y'all are welcome here anytime Dave.