1959 El Camino Custom

[Exotics_Builder]

I’ve taken this as far as I think practical although I may go back and visit the hood some.  It just did not fit well from the get-go.  I’ve shaved the edges to the point where the hood is touching the radiator shroud and other parts of the engine bay.  No impact from the air cleaner, so I will probably chew on it a bit more or just leave it be.

Although better than some older AMT releases, the reissue I have has some major shortcomings.  Besides the aforementioned hood fit, the parts of the pickup bed did not join well and had gaps requiring a lot of putty work in an area with detail that would be quite hard to retain.  The tailgate did not fit well, and I decided to glue in place positioning as best I could.  The passenger side body detail is “softer” than the driver’s side.  The firewall does not reflect any El Camino photos I’ve used for reference plus there is no brake master cylinder there.  The engine squeezes into the engine bay requiring the headers to touch the frame.  Not really visible but not what I like to see.  There is no starter included even though shown in the instructions.  With the fit into the body, the headers would have “collided” with one anyways (I tried with a parts box piece).  So, I simulated one with a piece of Evergreen Rod cut to about the right length.  Again, it is buried from view, but not to my liking. 

Summarizing the work.

·        3-inch chop

·        Modified pickup bed

·        Highly modified and detailed interior

·        Shaved off door handles and trim and added custom side trim

·        Added rear fender skirts

·        “Built up” the chrome trim on the fins and pickup bed surround as they were soft

·        Modified the front end using the kit custom pieces and “eyebrow” fillers from the Revell 59 Impala

·        Upgraded the dashboard as it was lacking a lot of detail

·        Seats and door cards from Revell 59 Impala

·        Detailed the 348 engine and added air cleaner from parts box

·        Painted Bob’s Paint Crème Brulé and cleared with Tamiya TS13 Clear.

The chop was easier than I anticipated, at least in the front curved A-pillar.  The B-pillar needed some attention as it is quite thin and needed a bit of stiffening.  This was also my first use of Bob’s Paint and needed a little practice to thin appropriately. 

Reasonably satisfied with the result. 

[Zippi]

Despite the issues you mentioned I think it came out pretty kewl looking.  All the chrome trim work make the body color really stand out.  The tool box, chest, and box in the bed is a nice touch.

[slusher]

Absolutely stunning!,

[KWT]

Very nicely done!

[Nosferatu]

That came out great! I love the color.

 

Dave

[espo]

Beautiful looking Kustom body and paint work plus the trim detailing. Enjoyed watching your build on this one. 

[stitchdup]

Very cool, the matched details in the bed are a nice touch

[Koellefornia Kid]

Very nice, Gerry! I like the bed details!

[carrucha]

Sweet custom.  Nice work on the chop.  The tool box and cooler are a nice touch.

[PappyD340]

Very nice custom!

[ChrisR]

Looks great!

[catpack68]

Very nice!👍

[Dutzie]

Really nice work!