Chuck Samuel's 65 El Camino (NMCA fastest street car shootout)

[keviiin86]

Well I'm going to give this one a go.  Wouldn't be too much of a challenge if I were to just build it as a curb side kit...but i just can't bring myself to doing that.  The only kit that exists as a 65 el camino is the AMT that's been around forever which started out as a promo model with lackluster detail and a front end that looked weird to me.  Something is off with the grille and the front fenders which is evident when you compare it to the revell 65 chevelle.  The Revell kit is much more accurate...so I decided to cut off the front clip from the Revell 65 chevelle and graft it onto the el camino to get the proper grille, fender shape, no molded in wipers, and engine bay which lines up nicely with the Revell chassis.  The chassis lines up perfect with the el camino and I will probably use the interior floor, partial door panels and dash from the revell kit as well.  Shockingly I found this oddball snorkel hood scoop that he ran on the car from competition resins..which has now unfortunately closed up shop.  Also got the front (correct looking) skinny centerline auto drags and some bare ralley wheels for the back.  The big block will come from the revell kit and I'll have to saw off yet another 4 speed in favor of a th400 automatic lol.  I have most of the little speed parts and pieces I'll need..but I'm sure I'll have to go hunting for something as I go.  As a quick history lesson, anyone from the Chicago area that's into drag racing would know this car from the late 80s through the late 90s.  Chuck Samuel worked for Fast Times Motorworks who build some serious engines for alot of drag racers in that era.  This car was street raced alot around Chicago and in the mid 90s he competed in the NMCA fastest street car shootout (the precursor to drag week, sick week etc..)  If you didnt know any better you'd think its a 12 second street car until you hear it start up and click off a mid 9 second pass. (Impressive for its day)  I saw it in person once when I was a kid at a local car show and it left a lasting impression on me with the ratty, fast, beater look and an unforgettable exhaust note.  So for all of those reasons I decided to build it.      

The side body lines on the revell Chevelle are a little softer than the AMT so I will have to sand down and flatten the front fenders to bring out the sharp body line to match the door..but aside from that it fits pretty well.  It will be a challenge to restore the panel line between the fender and door..but I'll figure it out.

[keviiin86]

Got the body lines reshaped on the front fenders and added the lower windshield trim from the Revell chevelle. Chassis fits in nice and snug to the front end now.

 

[chris chabre]

being 45 years old, Thats the era of street car I remember best and they left an impression on me too.

[keviiin86]

1 hour ago, chris chabre said:

being 45 years old, Thats the era of street car I remember best and they left an impression on me too.

I was only about 10 years old (turning 39 this summer) going with my dad to cruise nights and seeing some of these cars at one of the local spots..I remember there being a lot of fast cars that hung out at this place called Fluky's in Niles IL. this car included.

[keviiin86]

Gathered up some of the parts I'll need for the build, mocked up what I have so far to see how it'll look. The scoop is a little tall so I'll have to shave some off the base to make it sit right.

[dragcarz]

A great project, I’ll be following!

[keviiin86]

Shaved the emblems off the fender and sanded down the rocker trim and added some sheet styrene to the bottoms of the front fenders to make it all match.

Edited May 8 by keviiin86

[TransAmMike]

I like what you're doing here Kevin.  Gonna be cool.

[Zippi]

Looking pretty good Kevin.  I'm liking this build so far.

[1320]

Yeah, that's really cool, great progress 

Jim

[keviiin86]

Small update..smoothed out the sidewall on the rear slicks and made up some center caps for the front centerlines, also cut off the back seat from the Revell chevelle interior tub and test fit it, lines up nicely to the firewall.