1968 el Camino Malibu

Posted on by Ben O'Donnell

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  • 01/03/2017 at #8519
    Ben O’Donnell
    Participant

    Hi everyone,

    A few years back I got the itch to dive into an old school car again as I love being able to get hands on with these classic rides. I’m no mechanic by any stretch but at least you feel like you have a chance of learning something by owning one of these machines.

    I’ve always liked things that are a bit different and as an Australian I was drawn to the unique lines of the American muscle cars. We have a proud history of classic V8 cars down here as well although I don’t think we ever ventured into the big blocks.

    I’d previously owned a ’67 Mustang which I had many years of enjoyment from but after selling her I started to miss owning a car like that. I thought of trying out a good old classic Aussie Ute which are much loved down here in Aus but then thought “what do the Yanks have similar?”. It was then that I came across el Caminos!

    Now I could have both Aussie Ute and American Classic all in one 🙂

    Some shots of the el Camino currently

    Looking forward to participating in this community and learning more about everyone’s stories.

    Cheers
    Ben

    01/03/2017 at #8526
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Hi Ben!

    That looks like a clean car! You mentioned big blocks, is that what is under the hood?

    Keep us posted on your progress, I have a soft spot for those… actually had a plan to build a ’69 but it didn’t materialize. I’ll see if I can find the rendering and share it.

    Thanks for posting!

    Check out:
    V8 Radio Podcast: https://www.v8radio.com
    V8TV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/V8TV

    01/14/2017 at #8576
    Ben O’Donnell
    Participant

    Hey Kevin, I would love to see that drawing of your ’69 elky, here’s the latest pic, I’ve dragged the chassis out from under the car and will send it off to get blasted and painted…restorations always go deeper and deeper don’t they???

    01/14/2017 at #8577
    Ben O’Donnell
    Participant

    Also the engine is a 350, would be nice to have a 396 but I’m gonna have the 350 worked so it should be a nice motor at the end of the day

    01/15/2017 at #8582
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Making progress! Yes, restorations can go off in many directions, especially if you get “might as well syndrome”. Looks like a clean and solid frame! It’s going to look great after the media blast and repaint.

    Thanks for sharing the pics, we’ll be following along.

    Check out:
    V8 Radio Podcast: https://www.v8radio.com
    V8TV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/V8TV

    01/18/2017 at #8594
    Ben O’Donnell
    Participant

    Well I got the chassis back this morning and I’m happy to say it’s come up pretty nice. I also swung by via my mechanic and he was really impressed with the condition that it is in too! We only have one concern and that is with the rear cross member, it is a little corroded and will either need to be patched up or preferably replaced if possible.

    Kevin do you know if anyone makes or distributes a replacement part for this section of the chassis?

    Thanks
    Ben

    01/18/2017 at #8595
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Well I got the chassis back this morning and I’m happy to say it’s come up pretty nice. I also swung by via my mechanic and he was really impressed with the condition that it is in too! We only have one concern and that is with the rear cross member, it is a little corroded and will either need to be patched up or preferably replaced if possible.

    Kevin do you know if anyone makes or distributes a replacement part for this section of the chassis?

    Thanks
    Ben

    Hey Ben,

    The chassis looks great! Many times El Caminos are twisted up in back from pulling trailers. We normally just re-create that part of the frame in the metal shop, I am not aware of a pre-made section.

    Check out:
    V8 Radio Podcast: https://www.v8radio.com
    V8TV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/V8TV

    01/18/2017 at #8596
    Ben O’Donnell
    Participant

    Ah ok, thanks, it looks like a fairly straight forward piece of sheet metal.

    Yeah the mechanic said it looked really straight and was kind of surprised actually!

    Thanks again for the feedback.

    04/29/2017 at #8903
    Ben O’Donnell
    Participant

    An update for you kind folk, I’ve been working hard on the el Camino, the chassis has been repaired and painted (I had to learn how to weld and spray paint hence the delay) and now I’m working on the body….the interior has been cleaned up and painted, POR15 no less and now it’s time for the firewall…..momentum is everything!






    05/01/2017 at #8912
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    An update for you kind folk, I’ve been working hard on the el Camino, the chassis has been repaired and painted (I had to learn how to weld and spray paint hence the delay) and now I’m working on the body….the interior has been cleaned up and painted, POR15 no less and now it’s time for the firewall…..momentum is everything!






    Looking great! The welding looks really good too, not like a beginner! Nice work!

    Check out:
    V8 Radio Podcast: https://www.v8radio.com
    V8TV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/V8TV

    05/01/2017 at #8913
    Ben O’Donnell
    Participant

    Thanks again for the feedback Kevin!

    03/30/2018 at #9271
    Ben O’Donnell
    Participant

    Hey guys,

    A quick update on my el Camino for you…

    The front and rear ends are starting to come together, obviously the chassis is done and under the car again! I’m really happy with how it’s coming along now. Lots to do still so will keep you informed. Keep those muscle_car_of_the_week videos coming in Kevin, they are great inspiration for me 😉

    Ben

    03/31/2018 at #9273
    Ben O’Donnell
    Participant

    I’m stuck deciding whether to paint the bellhousing or not, does anyone have any ideas? Thanks

    Ben

    04/01/2018 at #9275
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    I’m stuck deciding whether to paint the bellhousing or not, does anyone have any ideas? Thanks

    Ben

    Paint it. It’s aluminum and will corrode quickly otherwise. Use some aluminum – silver colored paint and it will stay looking good now that you put the time into cleaning it.

    Check out:
    V8 Radio Podcast: https://www.v8radio.com
    V8TV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/V8TV

    05/17/2018 at #9297
    Tony Lane
    Participant

    Can’t wait to see how it turns out!

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