polybius Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 The recent Round2 reissue inspired me to dig out of my stash some of the older 1:25 MPC and AMT issues of this kit and finally put them to use. This is the first of three builds that were started at the same time, and this one just happened to get finished first. These older kits were sitting in open boxes for years, so I soon discovered a missing part or two. As I'm finding the missing parts the next two will slowly see completion. In the meantime, this '86 Elko built up mostly box stock but with some adjustments all around. Since the earlier MPC El Caminos were also issued as promos, the kit assembly is quite basic with remnants of its promo heritage. They date back to 1978 and MPC only updated the front clip when it was originally re-popped as this 1986 Choo Choo Customs version. Even so, it needed quite a bit of reworking to get it closer to the 1:1. The color is Dupli-Color Director Red Metallic, and it seemed a reasonable match to the Maroon Metallic offered in the late 80s on these and other GMs. The carpet got some flocking and some ignition wires added to the otherwise sparse engine bay. The rally wheels, in my opinion, are the highlight of the kit and likely the reason I amassed so many of them over the years. They've come in handy for other builds like the '80 Monte Carlo. The kit's tires were Goodyear Polyglas GT, but by 1986 radial tires had long since become all the rage so these BF Goodrich T/As from some other 80s MPC kit worked just fine. With this one now finished up and some workspace cleared, the other two builds might move along quickly. Stay tuned.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarheelRick Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 One mighty sweet El Camino. That color really sets it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy124 Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Looks really good, I like it a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darbo Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Very nice ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christian-w Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 What a paintjob! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 That is a beautiful paintjob. Very fitting color for this build. I like everything about this. Later- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-409 Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Very nice job on that Elky! I have the same kit and it's definitely not the best quality overall... But looks like you managed to make it look very good. Excellent color choice and a nice paint job. Really nice and clean build. Hopefully mine turns out half as good when I get back to it some day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Absolutely beautiful! I hope your other two projects come out as well. BTW, it sounds like they might be great candidates for our "Bring Out Your Dead" completion build project, where we parole ancient projects from the Shelf of Doom and drag them across the finish line. Round Six of the build wraps up the end of next month (March), and I'm hoping there will be enough interest for a Round Seven, which would run to the end of June. We've found this is a great way to encourage each other to GITTER DONE! I invite you to join the fun, if you have any interest at all. See here: At any rate, drive on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoopdog Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Great looking build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Great looking El Camino. The paint job looks great and I like what I can see of the interior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMBENNA Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 very nice, you did a great job. great color Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charger74 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 That is very nice !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeakDoc Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 That’s really sharp! Gorgeous paint work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hmann68 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 Fantastic build! I enjoyed building this kit a couple years ago too but yours is just beautiful ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PorkChopPaws Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 You made an unappealing body style look fantastic.Now I want to do one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 That is one sweet El Camino !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PappyD340 Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 On 2/26/2020 at 4:35 AM, ChrisR said: Very nice! Yes indeed! yes indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTrucker Posted February 28, 2020 Share Posted February 28, 2020 Great job on a difficult kit! I did one some time back and more than once I wanted to toss it in the waste basket!LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polybius Posted March 4, 2020 Author Share Posted March 4, 2020 Thanks everyone! Your encouraging comments are much appreciated! This is quite a challenging kit as some of you mentioned, although the only other option might be to kitbash Monogram's 1/24 El Camino with their Monte Carlo SS. I'd imagine someone has done it, but with these old MPC repops at least it provides plenty of exercises in patience and improvisation. I tracked down most of the errant parts to get the second of the three Elkys finished. Other than a washer fluid reservoir from a similar vintage MPC Camaro, only the tailpipes remained missing. They were scratch built with some aluminum tubing, and were the finishing touches to wrap it up. This second '86 El Camino SS was finished in Dupli-Color White Pearl, and the bodyside moldings were removed to give it a mild custom look. Aside from the blacked-out trim and rear bumper, it also got N90 wheels from the 80-81 Z/28 and 86-88 Monte Carlo SS. It looks right at home next to the maroon one, and it's a small relief to finally get another one off the bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polybius Posted March 13, 2020 Author Share Posted March 13, 2020 The third '86 El Camino is now complete. There were quite a few parts missing including the windows, so I gave in and bought the new Round2 reissue to borrow the clear parts and a few miscellaneous items. The finish is Dupli-Color Electron Blue Pearl clearcoated and polished. It started out in black metallic, but the Dupli-Color seemed to react with its own primer and some fisheyes appeared. After stripping and sanding it smooth again, I decided to go with the non-OE blue. Since the kits are mysteriously missing a center console to match the bucket seats and floor-shifter, the Monogram Monte Carlo SS donated its center console and it fit nicely. I also hoped to source some five-spoke Monogram 1/24 1980s Camaro Z-28 wheels to give it a mild custom appearance, but those '82-85 Camaro kits are getting hard to find. With this trio off the bench it will be quite a while before I'll want to build another El Camino. The next one might be an '82-85 quad headlight two-tone SS without the Choo Choo front end. I'm trying to talk myself out of it, but we'll see. Until then, enjoy these three Elkies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted March 13, 2020 Share Posted March 13, 2020 These all look fantastic! I started one of the new reissues when it became available a few months ago, but quickly lost interest and set it aside. You're making me want to dig it out and fire it up again, which is just about my highest compliment. Very well done, and model on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larman Posted March 13, 2020 Share Posted March 13, 2020 (edited) Beautiful work! Back in the 80's, My dad had a car detailing business . I remember cleaning and prepping a few of those when they were new. They came through the local Chevy dealer. They were a pretty big deal in a sea of Cavaliers, Berettas and Caprice wagons. lol........ Edited March 15, 2020 by larman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Great looking trio of El Caminos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete L. Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Cool builds, all of them....inspirational. Thanks for posting !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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