1964 El Shorty

[BIGTRUCK]

Yesterday at the swap meet I bought a 1964 El Camino, it contained most of the parts but not the Westcraft boat. Since I have a 64 Chevy wagon in need of a few nicer parts I bought this. Inside also was this build that is nicely started but odd. Everything fits perfect, even the screw bottom holes line up perfect. Someone spent alot of time on it,, the least I can do is try to figure out what the builder was going for and finish it. I found a shortened windshield in the box so I guess it was topless. Cant explain or figure out the rear wheel wells tho'..

[Jantrix]

[geemoney]

put it on the amt AWB chassis

I have two originals, but only one boat!

bummer

[disabled modeler]

Ken...pretty cool idea of using what might not be able to be used otherwise.  I have a 64 Chevelle/Malibu SS HT promo to restore...I like the 64s even though the 65s were close.

[Ron Hamilton]

That one could result into a wild looking ride.

I have one of the '64 El Caminos on my build list. When I bought my kit, it was supposed to be a new, unbuilt kit, but I found that the previous owner brush painted the Westcraft Boat poorly, and stuck it back in the box. Fortunately, the person I bought it from made good on the discrepancy to my satisfaction, and I was able to get a resin copy of the Westcraft for my model. I may build a small trailer for it, instead of mounting it on the bed. The painted Westcraft boat went to a friend in our club.

[Tom Geiger]

It's an ancient project, probably from when the kit was new.   I'd finish it in the style the original builder would have!  

Many years ago Dave Burket handed me this old Valiant body. He knew I'd love the original work and would preserve it.  This body was painted but nobody ever went any further with it. See how the body was built up with old magazine card stock.  The way they had to do things in 1960, way before Evergreen plastic!  

 

So I thought it should be finished using techniques and materials available in the early 1960s.  I found a matching Valiant screw post chassis. I made a grille from scrap plastic since I didn't have a spare Valiant one to use, a dashboard and custom seat from the original 1957 Chevy kit.

I figured that the two slots in the body were for a roll bar so I cut one down from pieces in my parts box. It was red, so I left it unpainted just like a kid might have.

The rhinestones fit into the holes already drilled in the body.  I didn't change a thing with the body since it was already "finished".  The wheels are from the Monogram Green Hornet kit, for that Salt Lake look.   In the end, I have a model that might have been entered in a hobby shop show in the early 1960s.  I just love the nostalgic bit about it, and it fits right into my Olde Kustom Kollection.

That's what I'd say to do with the ancient Elkie!  

[BIGTRUCK]

Thats pretty wild Tom. It looks like it has some weight to it. I'll get something going on it,been going through tire wheel combos . It was painted silver, I tossed it in Super Clean and shot some pics. Now its in primer to see where Im at exactly.

[Snake45]

Oh this is a FABULOUS project! I'd be torn between making it a low-slung cruiser or a jacked-up 4X4 type out of it. Either way would be VERY WAY COOL.

[ChrisBcritter]

Looking at the rear wheel wells, I'm thinking slicks and a big rake like a T-bucket - keep us posted!

[Tom Geiger]

Thats pretty wild Tom. It looks like it has some weight to it. 

It is heavy. There is a lot of prehistoric putty in it.  I have a Ranchero that is 20% plumbers weld glue.

[BIGTRUCK]

Back to the ''shorty'' . Cleaned up and re arched rear wheel wells, smoothed out rear quarters. I needed the 1964 hood so I have to make the 65 hood work. Rear tires are just wide ovals, fronts are part box. I found a nicer windshield but Im stalled on how it should look. Should it be trimmed down to half height and no frame?, Convertible frame? Roof ?

[Sledsel]

Get a Fireball 500 car and use those windshields. Just a thought.....

[BIGTRUCK]

I do have that kit and that ideas not bad, I'[[ see if I can pick up a few builder items tomorrow @ Toledo before I borrow from any more kits.

[BIGTRUCK]

Thanks to Andy AKA ''Sledsel'' for a great idea on using the Fireball 500 as a donor. With a little trading on the forum I acquired a partial kit and a beater body. I fit the top half on the build. Now I can keep moving forward with no idea where this is going.

The rear quarters from the Fireball 500 body were cut out and fit onto an old Cuda that the builder hogged out the wheel wells with a hot knife

So thanks for the suggestions it all helps, like I said, dont really know where this builds going.

[Cpt Tuttle]

Very interesting!
The Fireball 500 glass and seat divider are really wild looking.

[BIGTRUCK]

Im staying on this ,got to get it done. I had a Datsun 4 X 4 on the up for trade list, I kept eye ballin' the chassis and what Snake45

said about lifting it. The Datsun wasnt going any place so I grabbed the chassis , shortened it to fit, and I feel this is the best route to take.

Edited November 17, 2015 by BIGTRUCK

[rsxse240]

Looks like a first gen IH Scout that's been chopped and channeled.

 

I like it.

[dino246gt]

I thought SUV as soon as I saw it, now it's going that route, Phantom SUV!! I love it!!

[bismarck]

Yeah.  Maybe open up the doors early Bronco style. Looks cool.