´64 Chevrolet El Camino lux Restomod

[Andy Oldenburg]

IMHO the ´59 El Camino has much more sex appeal and class than the ´64. (but i´ve already built that one..) Based on the Chevelle and dubbed with a simple 60´s design, it does look more like a utility vehicle than the ´59. I didn´t want to build the construction "gear hustler" depicted on the kit cover, but I was aware that a fancy show car was hidden in my box. The ideas came pouring and I decided to turn this build into a luxury version with a revved up engine and hot goodies. The paint is multiple layers of: flat grey, metallic dark silver, metallic red, some masking work and a transparent red for the panels. After super fine sanding, I sprayed 3 layers of AK crystal clear and the BMF is secured under the last coat. The rear wheel arch was filled with styrene and needed a few steps of putty and sanding until I was satisfied with the looks. The 20" wheels were in my scrap box, but I didn´t have the matching tires any more. So I had to carefully cut open existing tires to match for that low profile look.

The wood on the bed cover and the bed floor is real veneer. The kit contains a shell cover for the bed, but I used the shell roof to fabricate the bed cover. It took three tries before I was happy with the hinging of the cover. Actually a simple solution, but tricky to get into the exact position. The "hydraulic" is a 1mm brass rod slipping into a 1.5mm brass tube. The bed walls and fenders are flocked. Cutting the bed door open meant filling the open spaces with styrene sheet and the bumper had to be adapted to let the door open down. The hinges were made of 1mm brass rod in 2mm styrene tube.

I completely cut the grill out of the grill/bumper part and attached a fine metal mesh to the back. The headlight parts were again from my spares box and the lenses are from Scale Production. I goofed the Chevrolet lettering. The gel pen wasn´t dry yet when I started the last clear coat and I must have smeared it by accident. BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH happens....

I replaced the kit bucket seats with a bench and enhanced the edges with .5mm vinyl wire. Gluing it was a hassle and I am still thinking how to solve that problem next time. The radio is a print on photo paper, at least a few decals for the dash come with this kit. The floor is flocked and the cranks are 3mm stryrene rod, .5mm brass rod and glass beads.

Since this is a level 3 kit, there are some wishes left unfulfilled about the detailing. The engine received a lot of wiring and high performance fuel lines (check that gauge..). The brake booster was home fabricated from styrene and wire, same as the relay, the coil and the hood latch. The filter lid is from my spare box and the belt is cut from a thin rubber mat.

Being a level 3, this model comes with a single part undercarriage with very shady detailing. I cut out the drive middle and the complete read suspension and rebuilt the chassis with .5 and .8 mm styrene sheet. Like the fenders I had to adapt the undercarriage to those wide slicks. I was able to rescue the differential and incorporate it into my new rear suspension. Everything is made of styrene tubes and square rods and enhanced with printed hex nuts for details. The drive and exhaust system are also styrene tubes with the mufflers scavenged from my parts box. The brake and fuel lines put the cherry on top.

When I started this build I had my doubts if my vision would work, or if I was going down the wrong road. But about half through the project I was happy about my decisions and had my yahoo moments when things worked and I moved to the next step.

I hope you like my build and thanks for your attention!

Check out the YouTube video for some "action"!

https://youtu.be/ge7wpTjoLGs

[ncbuckeye67]

That is absolutely gorgeous! Definitely a showstopper.

[70 Sting]

Next time you should try putting a little effort into a kit. 😉

Fantastic build. The paint is awesome; veneer cover looks in scale; engine bay looks great; hydraulics and hinges are spot on. 👌

[Falcon Ranchero]

i like the skirted rear end and the upward stance of the rear also. Dig the colour and the custom headlight bezels.

[DanL]

nice detail work

[Earl Marischal]

Excellent work!

steve

[karbuildr]

Wow. I don't know where to start. Fantastic build. Your paintwork is exceptional and really stands out. The engine detail is equally well done. There's so much scratch built detail, every time I look I find more interesting mods.

[espo]

Beautiful looking paint work and colors and many major body modifications. You didn't mention the windshield, but it and the side vent window have been changed. Opening the tailgate and making it fold under the bed looks great. Knowing the basic chassis and engine in this kit your changes really standout. 

[Kah puts]

Outstanding execution of detail and paint work, bravo 👍

[AMT68]

Really impressive paint work and overall detailing. Pretty innovative system with the hydraulic lifts for the bed cover. I like that straight grain wood veneer for the bed and operative tail gate. 

[PappyD340]

Awesome custom El Camino, well done!

[Andy Oldenburg]

Hello Larry, Tom, Glen, david, David, Steve, Dan, Nathan, Harry and Jeff,

many THANKS for your enthusiastic response! Makes me happy🤗

I did forget to mention that I chopped the roof by about 6mm, needing to extend it in the middle to fit. That was when I decided to cut off the vent triangle frames. The windshield took some time to fit in properly in the aftermath because its curve didn´t match so well. 

Best wishes for Christmas!

 

[Koellefornia Kid]

Very nice, Andy! great stance, cool wheels and a beautyful paint job!

[XYHARRY]

Wow, a lot of great custom work on this one. Really well done Andy.

Cheers, 

David. 😎👍

[michelle]

awesome work 

[slusher]

Impressive model!

[Rattlecan Dan]

Super effort there. Great masking, paint and detailing. Looks outrageously sharp! Beautiful job.

[ChrisR]

Cool!

[Andy Oldenburg]

Hello Oliver, David, Michelle, Carl, Donato and Chris,

thank you very much for your positive remarks! I hope you all had a very merry Christmas!

Best wishes, Andy