1970 El Camino Pro Street

Stephan H.
That´s going to be a mean one when finished. I´m in. 👍

Bill Newcomer
Got the wheel tubs cut it but due to all the mismatched chassis parts, I am struggling with mocking it up. The front wheels have to be centered which locates the frame. The frame locates the floor pan and interior. The floor pan is too long needs to be cut to mate up with the rear wheel tub floor pan. I also still need to seriously modify the rear suspension. I just wish there was a way to temporarily glue stuff together for mock up. Masking tape isn't working very well.

Stephan H.
🙂 you can do it !

Bill Newcomer
I was test fitting bumpers on my Jimmie Flintstone '70 El Camino when I ran into a problem. The '68 El Camino donor rear bumper is too wide (by a bunch). I then took out the ONLY rear bumper in my parts bin. A '69 Cougar rear bumper. After some carving, sanding and filing... It looks like it will work decently. (It also solved the problem of too many back up lights.)

Stephan H.
That cougar front grille reminds me of one el camino kit i saw online that comes with a "custom" grille with hidden headlights... That would be my take 🙂 ! However nice too see the model "growing".

Bill Newcomer
Slowly but surely 🙂

Bill Newcomer
Visited another LHS while in Portland today. Picked up a bottle of Ford Blue for engine blocks and some Testors enamel thinner to help revitalize some ancient bottles of paint. The real treat was a CHROME Molotow paint pen. I viewed some YouTube videos on them and it looked impressive. I just used it on my Chevelle bumpers to touch up a rototool oops and some sprue scars. All I can say is WOW!!! The closest thing to vacuum metalized chrome I have ever seen. I choked a bit on the $13 price tag but the results are far better than ANY paint I have ever used. Does anyone who owns one know how long the pen lasts?

Bob Hall
I have few that been going strong for about 3 years now.

Bill Newcomer
Good. I was hoping they would not dry out in a few months time.

Bob Hall
They sell 3 different tip sizes and FYI Hobby Lobby sells them for 10 bucks,and if you use a 40% off Coupon you'll make out better.

Off topic, but your a car guy, You'll Appreciate this !

autoblog.com/2019/03..00021&yptr=yahoo

Bill Newcomer
Made some progress this evening. Got the grille and head lights to actually fit into the (to be red) '70 Chevelle. Did some more touch ups with my new amazing Molotow chrome pen. I also carefully carved out the Cowl Induction flapper door for one of the hoods. I have to figure out what I am going to make the door out of. The styrene chunk I removed is way too thick to be in scale. I also have decide about applying the stripes that run over it. I am still waiting for a warm enough day with low enough humidity to spray the bodies.

Bozzer
Just as a tip, you can buy a Liquid Chrome top-up jar. Now these things ain't cheap, but it's got an advantage. I have successfully airbrushed Molotow. I thinned it slightly with cellulose thinner. ALWAYS TEST ON A PIECE OF PLASTIC, before committing to the model. Molotow rocks!

Bill Newcomer
Had to work late today but I sprayed some white primer and gold base coats on some spoons. If the humidity stays low I will be able to shoot and select my colors for the red and brown Chevelles. I also have a Chevelle/El Camino photo etch sheet that I need to divvy up amongst the five Chevys. Stay tuned.

Bill Newcomer
Had nice weather so I did some spray paint layouts on some spoons. Of the two browns, one was more of a bronze but the Testors Root Beer Brown metallic lacquer was exactly what I was looking for. Of the 3 reds I tested. The medium red is the color of choice. Got 2 bodies painted and a 3rd in primer. The brown one turned out FANTASTIC!. The blue one got tons of dust and crap in it. I'll try sanding it, it may end up in the purple lake.

Bozzer
Brake fluid strips new paint in no time Bill

Bill Newcomer
More progress today. The El Camino floor pan has been trimmed and joined to the tubs. The red '70 Chevelle got color today and turned out pretty well. The blue '72 got most all of the dust and crap sanded out of it. The respray went surprisingly well, just a few bubbles on the drivers side C pillar. The color is gorgeous in the light. 🙂

Bill Newcomer
After 2-3 days of fabricating (which isn't my strong suit). I have made the front of the bed from 5 pieces including chunks from a Laborghini Countach dashboard. I also made the rear panel for the interior. The Jimmy Flinstone resin body comes with neither. The interior is going to be a mix of '68 El Camino and '70 Monte Carlo parts.

Bill Newcomer
Finally got the divider wall installed. I spent the last 2 days fitting the interior such that it will be happy with the windows. I still have to make a filler panel between the cowl and the base of the windshield. Then maybe I can paint it.

Bill Newcomer
Painted and mocked up the interior this weekend. Added touches with chrome Molotow pen.

Bill Newcomer
Selected the deep dish rims for the Elco. I have a whole box of wheels but not very many for tires this wide. I drilled out all 32 holes to make them more realistic. I plan on dressing up the plain, smooth centers with some spinners from my parts box.

Bob Hall
Tires look like they belong on the Space Shuttle ! WICKED !

Bill Newcomer
The cool thing is they FIT!

Bill Newcomer
The Chevelles are nearly done but not quite off of the bench yet. I had some more modeling motivation so I opened the ElCo again. Started converting car trailer fenders into front inner fenders. Fabbed some gap filler plates for the wheel tubs to the inside of the bed. I was almost done with the 2nd one when I broke it in half. GRRRRRR!

Bill Newcomer
I have been mostly succeeding in performing 1 task a day on the El Camino while I am building the 2 Freightliners. However, I have run into a snag. It seems I no longer possess the two front spindles for the suspension. No spindles = no front tires. I know I am asking for a needle from a haystack but does anyone have an AMT '68 El Camino that has been parted out? I am hoping to buy the spindles. Otherwise, I will have to spend 3-4 evenings fabricating them from scratch. Thanks

Bob Hall
You got a pic of what ya need ?

Chaz Gordon
Coming along nicely

Chaz Gordon
1 or 2mm aluminium rivets should work if you drill out the hubs

Bozzer
A piece of sprue in a cordless drill. The other end in a hole, in a vertical piece of wood. Slow speed and a small flat file, held at just the right tension. That's how I repair broken prop pins on my 1/72 planes.

Bill Newcomer
Here are the "missing links" 1970 El Camino Pro Street | Album by musclecarfan (1:25)

Bob Hall
Here's the parts your looking for.

Bill Newcomer
Bob, Yes they are in there but for that price, I would rather simply fabricate them from sprue. I DO appreiciate finding the link for me. 🙂

Bob Hall
Too easy. Wasn't sure, but didn't forget you ! If I had them I'd give them to ya !

Bill Newcomer
Good news. A member from another forum was kind enough to mail me a set of spindles. Now I can make forward progress once I free up some time.

Bob Hall
HEY ! What's up with this ? I want to see this DONE ! LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill Newcomer
Well Bob...... I have been spending my time on getting some Mustangs finished up. Though, I did open the El Camino box today. I have all the parts, I need to get on it. Especially since we are back in prime painting weather once again.

You wouldn't happen to have any Pro Mod wings in your stash would you?

Bill Newcomer
Finally got time at the bench today. I was not liking the eyebrow filler plates inside the bed. I finessed them out and start making whole new side panels from scale diamond plate. The glue is setting as I write this.

Bill Newcomer
After 3 months away from the bench, I am back at it. I started detailing the rear rims after raiding the parts box for some inners. I have bed far enough along now I can move on to the frame. I have the multi-piece front suspension mocked up which allowed me to clearance the inner fenders. The frame horns were a bit too long so I trimmed them and test fitted the Chevelle grille and the Monte Carlo bumper. I have also been trimming the wheelie bars so graciously donated by a generous friend. I am quite pleased on the length and width of them. It only took minor notching to get them into their new home. The gas tank looks like it is going to fit with a little sanding here and there. Since I am going with a blower on the BBC, I need to rethink my front accessory drive. The Monte engine has A/C which makes it too complicated. I'll figure out something.

Bill Newcomer
Rims attached to rear meats. Did not like the same wheels on the front. Went through the stash and found these 5 spokes.
Finally far enough along to do a mock up with the help of some rubber bands.

Nigel Chapman
Mock up looks great. Wheel combo just right.
El Camino's make excellent drag cars.

Bill Newcomer
Nigel thanks. I just need to keep plugging away at it.

Bill Newcomer
I went through my spares for a rear axle but nothing I had was to my liking. It was suggested I go to B-N-L Resins website. I found and ordered an axle and some other parts for this build. I have a 9" Ford rear, a 10-71 blower with a Pro Mod hood scoop, a fuel cell and some other goodies on the way.

Bill Newcomer
Got some time to work on the engine today. My B-N-L resin 10-71 blower and Pro Mod scoop needed some work to fit on my Plan B Big Block Chevy. I actually needed two parts box blower manifolds to get the overall height high enough for the blower belt to be tight. I also had to make some valve cover spacers from scratch.

Bill Newcomer
Got all my engine pieces shaved and trimmed to try a mock up. My deep sump pan fits in the frame, The hood scoop is slightly higher than the roof (just like I wanted) and there is plenty of room for the blower drive. I will have to notch the cowl a little bit for the blower but no big deal.

Nigel Chapman
Oh yeah, love that engine

Christian W
That is what I call a blower! Great!

Bill Newcomer
Got my Accel distributor mounted. Working on the spark plug boots made from heat shrink tubing.

Bill Newcomer
Finally got the rear suspension installed. Parts box control arms and coilover shocks. Wheelie bars detailed and installed.

Bill Newcomer
Got the correct color Accel ignition wires and boots installed, Detailed some recently acquired MSD ignition boxes.

Christian W
That engine looks so great

Bill Newcomer
Time to make some headers. Cut and crimped the ends of some electronics solder. Gorilla glued and taped them into some styrene tubing. I hope they turn out as well as they did on my Platinum Pony Mustang.

Bill Newcomer
Small victory this evening. I was not liking the big evaporator box on the firewall from the 70 Monte Carlo. I had a 69 Hurst Olds glue bomb sent my way. I spent this evening carving up the firewall from that to fit. Now my Pro Mod engine has a little more room to fit.

Bill Newcomer
I though this day would never come. I have done enough test fitting and kitbashing to think everything is actually going to fit together. I got brave and painted the body in its 1st coat of primer. As usual, It shows some flaws here and there but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Nigel Chapman
Good on yer Bill. Can't wait to this finished

Bill Newcomer
Thank Nigel 🙂

Bill Newcomer
Did enough bodywork to finally call the primer done. Just set up my decanter rig to vent my choice of yellow paint. I will need to wait for lower humidity before I paint it.

Bill Newcomer
Sprayed my decanted yellow paint today. Overall it turned out decent enough. Got to let it cure for awhile before detailing the body.

Nigel Chapman
Not a big fan of yellow cars but I think it looks fantastic for the El Camino.

Bill Newcomer
It will be complimented with black SS stripes and maybe some kind of tonneau cover.

Nigel Chapman
sounds good. Is that an original Chevy colour?

Bill Newcomer
Nigel. No, just some Hobby Lobby rattle can paint decanted.

Bill Newcomer
This long term project is finally nearing completion. Started in March 2019 and finishing very soon. Steep learning curve as this is my only 2nd resin body. I had to make a lot of touchy adjustments to an already painted body and frame. Some boo boos show, some have been minimized. I had planned a few more details but I am just going to be happy it is finally off the bench.

Nigel Chapman
Your teaser photos look great. Is there a roll cage?

Bill Newcomer
Nigel, There is not. This was meant to be more of a Pro Street poser than a genuine drag car. Besides, it was all I could do to fit a mismatched interior into an El Camino cab without trying to stuff a roll cage in it too.

Nigel Chapman
Ok. You've nailed that look though. Love the rear tyres

Bill Newcomer
Thanks, Nigel. The last tire has just been installed. Once it cures... Show Time!

Bill Newcomer
3 YEARS and 8 months later... This one is finally off the bench. It was part of my Chevelle batch build in 2019. Due to all the test fitting and fabrication required this one was quite the challenge. However, I had a vision, and have now finally seen it through. The quality is not up to par because I had to handle it so much but it is "good enough". I am not sure I will ever take it to a show but at least I have one for the shelf. Comments welcome.

Nigel Chapman
Looks the business. Captures that 80's pro-street look perfectly

Bob Hall
Now this was worth the wait, gorgeous ride !

Bill Newcomer
Thank you Nigel and Bob.

Bill Newcomer
I have obtained and applied some SS stripes to complete my vision for this one. I also added CID callouts to the blower hat butterflies. NOW, I can call this one DONE!

Bob Hall
This beast pop's, quite the eye catcher in that yellow ! 🤘😎🤘

Bill Newcomer
Thank you, Bob. 🙂

Christian W
This is cool. I'd put that in my shelf easily. I like the engine and this huge blower.

Bill Newcomer
Well I am going to take it to a local model show tomorrow warts and all. I figure I will at least have the only 70 El Camino there.

Bob Hall
Good luck, hope ya bring home the blue ribbon 🤘😎🤘, you'd get my vote !!!!!!!!!!!

Christian W
Crossing fingers for success!

Bill Newcomer
Well the El Camino did not win me anything (which I expected) But my 74 Hurst/Olds in the same class did.

Bob Hall
Sweet, the sleeper pulls the out of nowhere win !

Bill Newcomer
🙂