‘66 “Ol Comino” (Oldsmobile El Camino) pro touring

[Steve H]

Hi all,

A few comments first.

I have had an Olds phantom El Camino idea rattling around in my head for years, wasn’t quite sure how to approach it though.
A big thanks to Jeff Bulmer (gotnitro) for inspiring this build. He did a similar build that is just stunning, and his WIP thread was all I needed to get going. Thanks Jeff !!  
Another thanks to fellow Canuck Greg (noblng) for coming up with the name that stuck. Thanks Greg !! 
Thanks to everyone that contributed on the WIP thread, your input was sincerely appreciated.

 

Ok, so this is a kitbash of a ‘66 Olds 442, and a ‘68 El Camino. It’s also my most ambitious body work build thus far.

I used the Elky chassis, roof, bed, and 396 engine. The Olds supplied the body, inner front fenders, and interior. 

A quick summary:

- combined the Olds 442 and Elky bodies. 
- paint is Dupli Colour, BMF trim, Mr. Hobby clear polished and waxed
- the 396 has the carbs from a Gran Sport Corvette 

- engine is wired and plumbed

- interior has embossing powder flocking, cup holders in the console, a photo etched Hurst shifter and window cranks, resin seats, seat belts, overhead console, pins for door locks, sub woofer behind seats and a slightly modified dash.

- the chassis is lowered, has Pegasus wheels/tires/and disc brakes, exhaust is modified and has aluminum tubing for tips

Thank you for having a look. As always, all comments good or bad are welcome.

 

Overall, I’m quite pleased with how it turned out. GM should have built these!! Hope you like it.

Cheers, Steve

[AmericanMuscleFan]

You have a lot to be proud of Steve, I could repeat the same superlatives over and over again about this beautiful model!  The combo of the 2 bodies works wonderfully and could have been produced, the "fit" is perfect!   There are no weak points, it's great from all points of view, I totally love it!!! ?

[Steamboat]

Absolutely superb! The attention to detail is amazing, and the engine is a work of art by itself!

[tim boyd]

I commented earlier on the build thread for this one, but in my opinion Steve hit it out of the park with this one. 

I particularly like that passenger side rear three quarter view....this is a model I could see as a 1/1 scale machine strutting its stuff as it slowly motors down the main entrance boulevard at the GoodGuys Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.  '

Excellent attention to detail, flawless finishes, a great stance, and a very creative idea delivered to completion.  Great work, Steve, and thanks for the inspiration for the rest of us...TIM 

[mchook]

A true work of art that should have been a real vehicle. Oldsmobile really missed out on this great concept. Perfect in every way, man I wish I had your talent. If you don't mind could you post some pics in this topic too? Your WIP on this and some others was the reason I did it.

Thanks, Mark

 

[slusher]

Impressive and very sharp!

[cobraman]

Looks like it could be factory !  Very cool and well done.

[PappyD340]

2 hours ago, cobraman said:

Looks like it could be factory !  Very cool and well done.

I agree 100%

[1972coronet]

What can I possibly state here to possibly and properly convey how much I LOVE this awesome build ? I feel that , perhaps , a simple , understated "love" and "awesome" are somehow sufficient for this purpose . 

That water bottle ! WOW ! I can just imagine its driver chugging on it after a mind-bending rowing-of-gears on the interstate ! 

Keep them coming , @Steve H!  What's next ? Dare I suggest a 1960 Ranchero based-upon the AMT '60 Starliner ? 

[Sam I Am]

Drop dead gorgeous. ?

Can I have one in my garage? 

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Steve!

Truly world class, bravo. And the natural light is flattering to you smoke treatment on the wheels!

But what truly sets my envy is... the west-coast weather  and BC nature in the background. Take it from a guy who just spent 3 hours shoveling 2 foot of snow on his house. Rain forecasted for tomorrow, so better be prudent!

CT

[Koellefornia Kid]

That turned out absolutely GREAT, Steve!!!! I could spent hours looking at the pictures above.... Oops, I already did...

[BeakDoc]

Simply fantastic!!

[FLHCAHZ]

Seriously amazing build! Every detail is perfect.  

[Steve H]

Thank you all very much for the kind words, it is much appreciated. 

[Steve H]

13 hours ago, mchook said:

A true work of art that should have been a real vehicle. Oldsmobile really missed out on this great concept. Perfect in every way, man I wish I had your talent. If you don't mind could you post some pics in this topic too? Your WIP on this and some others was the reason I did it.

Thanks, Mark

 

Hi Mark, thank you sir! Likewise, I wish I had your talent! Your builds are amazing. I added a few to your thread, excellent idea to start that.

Cheers, Steve

[Steve H]

On 2/27/2021 at 5:26 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

You have a lot to be proud of Steve, I could repeat the same superlatives over and over again about this beautiful model!  The combo of the 2 bodies works wonderfully and could have been produced, the "fit" is perfect!   There are no weak points, it's great from all points of view, I totally love it!!! ?

Hello my friend, thanks for the compliments sir!  Always nice to here from you.

Steve

[Steve H]

14 hours ago, tim boyd said:

I commented earlier on the build thread for this one, but in my opinion Steve hit it out of the park with this one. 

I particularly like that passenger side rear three quarter view....this is a model I could see as a 1/1 scale machine strutting its stuff as it slowly motors down the main entrance boulevard at the GoodGuys Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.  '

Excellent attention to detail, flawless finishes, a great stance, and a very creative idea delivered to completion.  Great work, Steve, and thanks for the inspiration for the rest of us...TIM 

Thanks so much Tim!!  Your comments are are very much appreciated sir, glad you like it. 
 

Cheers, Steve

[Steve H]

9 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

What can I possibly state here to possibly and properly convey how much I LOVE this awesome build ? I feel that , perhaps , a simple , understated "love" and "awesome" are somehow sufficient for this purpose . 

That water bottle ! WOW ! I can just imagine its driver chugging on it after a mind-bending rowing-of-gears on the interstate ! 

Keep them coming , @Steve H!  What's next ? Dare I suggest a 1960 Ranchero based-upon the AMT '60 Starliner ? 

Hi John,  you might want to have a look at McHook’s what if El Camino/Ranchero thread. I did a ‘61 “ Merchero” that you might like. The next build is going to be a Chevy Luv, which I plan to convert into an Elky style. Hoping to start that this week. Thanks for your enthusiasm!

[larman]

Beautiful job! Really clever idea! Great color, wheels and stance!

[ChrisR]

Awesome!

[Plowboy]

Wow! You nailed it with this model Steve! It has a very natural look to it that isn't always accomplished on builds of this type. The color and stance are on the money! Makes me want to try something similar. Great work!

[Steve H]

18 hours ago, Claude Thibodeau said:

Hi Steve!

Truly world class, bravo. And the natural light is flattering to you smoke treatment on the wheels!

But what truly sets my envy is... the west-coast weather  and BC nature in the background. Take it from a guy who just spent 3 hours shoveling 2 foot of snow on his house. Rain forecasted for tomorrow, so better be prudent!

CT

Hi Claude! I will try to send you some of our mild west coast weather. Take good care sir!

Cheers, Steve

[Steve H]

23 minutes ago, Plowboy said:

Wow! You nailed it with this model Steve! It has a very natural look to it that isn't always accomplished on builds of this type. The color and stance are on the money! Makes me want to try something similar. Great work!

Hi Roger, thank you kindly sir. All the dimensions on this one just seem to work don’t they. Thanks for having a look. 

[NOBLNG]

Absolutely beautiful work. As everyone said, the stance is perfect. I think these would have sold as real vehicles... of course Olds wouldn’t have decked it out as nicely as you did!