The "66 El Camino that I finally own" Thread
Discussion
I have always enjoyed stories leading to ownership nearly as much as ownership experience threads. Epic journeys to collect old bangers or someone who has known of a car for twenty years and several owners finally gets to own it. That sort of thing.
So here is my version which will hopefully lead to me owning the vehicle in question. Or else it will quickly become a dead, dull, dud if I decide not to purchase it!! Anyway...
My name is not Earl and I don't own an El Camino, yet.
However, a couple of weeks ago I was sent some pictures from California:-
Now I appreciate that a 49 year old light commercial vehicle in a shade of "shame about the crappy brown colour"© gold might not be the most PH of vehicles, but I think it looks great!
(© worlds least positive mate)
Emails ensued and eventually I secured first refusal, subject to inspection, upon arrival in the UK.
At this stage my sum knowledge consisted of:
a) '66 El Camino, was a 327 now a 350
b) A solid "dry state" car with some new interior trim
c) Needs minor body work and some paint (probably a full repaint)
d) Drives very nicely, "sweet and punchy" was the quote
It loaded last week and began its slow journey towards the UK, stops to include Panama, New York and Nova Scotia before crossing the Atlantic.
As of earlier this morning, the ship had nearly reached Panama:
Means I have about four weeks or so to make some space....
So here is my version which will hopefully lead to me owning the vehicle in question. Or else it will quickly become a dead, dull, dud if I decide not to purchase it!! Anyway...
My name is not Earl and I don't own an El Camino, yet.
However, a couple of weeks ago I was sent some pictures from California:-
Now I appreciate that a 49 year old light commercial vehicle in a shade of "shame about the crappy brown colour"© gold might not be the most PH of vehicles, but I think it looks great!
(© worlds least positive mate)
Emails ensued and eventually I secured first refusal, subject to inspection, upon arrival in the UK.
At this stage my sum knowledge consisted of:
a) '66 El Camino, was a 327 now a 350
b) A solid "dry state" car with some new interior trim
c) Needs minor body work and some paint (probably a full repaint)
d) Drives very nicely, "sweet and punchy" was the quote
It loaded last week and began its slow journey towards the UK, stops to include Panama, New York and Nova Scotia before crossing the Atlantic.
As of earlier this morning, the ship had nearly reached Panama:
Means I have about four weeks or so to make some space....
Unless it is hugely different to my expectations I will be buying it once I have viewed. My expectations are basically a solid, rolling project.
I would describe the current position as a "gentleman's agreement" with the importer, based on a third party description and photos, which is all either of us currently have to go on.
I would describe the current position as a "gentleman's agreement" with the importer, based on a third party description and photos, which is all either of us currently have to go on.
Edited by 99t on Friday 3rd July 11:22
My first sight of the ship!! Somewhere in one of those containers....
Just hope its not the one that appears to be hanging over the edge!!
And in glorious Panamanian high resolution, lock 2 and heading off into the canal
Phew! That's enough excitement for one lunch hour. Time to do some work!!!
Just hope its not the one that appears to be hanging over the edge!!
And in glorious Panamanian high resolution, lock 2 and heading off into the canal
Phew! That's enough excitement for one lunch hour. Time to do some work!!!
With the Panama Canal safely behind it, NYK Romulus has been heading north past Cuba and along the Eastern coast of Florida this week, hopefully with my '66 El Camino still safely aboard.
Due to dock soon at Savannah, the current tracking image suggests the captain may have been hitting the Tequila a little early?
All this waiting has given me time to consider options once the Elk arrives.
As she currently stands
Window channels are a common rot spot on Amercian vehicles of this vintage and repair sections are cheaply available.
I'm sure that enough bodywork will be needed to justify a full re-paint, but what colour?
Whilst the trim tag should reveal the original colour, I'm pretty sure the current colour isn't it.
The closest match to the colours available in '66 would be Sandalwood Tan, and as below this appears to be a much lighter hue. Not sure it would be my choice to be honest.
There was also Aztec Bronze which is much redder, and which I quite like (Ok it's on a Chevelle but I couldn't find a good Elk pic in this colour)
Not that it needs to be painted an original colour of course. It's not a numbers matching SS396, just an old pickup truck. I do quite like the current colour personally, so option one would be to find the closest match and stick with that.
Alternatively one could go for a red, blue or black if sticking to "traditional" colours, all of which work in my opinion, and black in particular is rarely the wrong choice. Would need to consider the interior colours into the equation too of course.
More left-field options could include saving a shed-load of cash and painting it myself with blackboard paint!!
Or if the V8 rumble isn't sufficiently "look at me" there are always louder options!!
Hmmmmm........
Due to dock soon at Savannah, the current tracking image suggests the captain may have been hitting the Tequila a little early?
All this waiting has given me time to consider options once the Elk arrives.
As she currently stands
Window channels are a common rot spot on Amercian vehicles of this vintage and repair sections are cheaply available.
I'm sure that enough bodywork will be needed to justify a full re-paint, but what colour?
Whilst the trim tag should reveal the original colour, I'm pretty sure the current colour isn't it.
The closest match to the colours available in '66 would be Sandalwood Tan, and as below this appears to be a much lighter hue. Not sure it would be my choice to be honest.
There was also Aztec Bronze which is much redder, and which I quite like (Ok it's on a Chevelle but I couldn't find a good Elk pic in this colour)
Not that it needs to be painted an original colour of course. It's not a numbers matching SS396, just an old pickup truck. I do quite like the current colour personally, so option one would be to find the closest match and stick with that.
Alternatively one could go for a red, blue or black if sticking to "traditional" colours, all of which work in my opinion, and black in particular is rarely the wrong choice. Would need to consider the interior colours into the equation too of course.
More left-field options could include saving a shed-load of cash and painting it myself with blackboard paint!!
Or if the V8 rumble isn't sufficiently "look at me" there are always louder options!!
Hmmmmm........
CB2152 said:
I'm looking forward to this, hope it all goes smoothly 
Thanks, yes me too... Maty said:
Looking forward to the next instalment, tracking its progress adds to the anticipation but I bet its killing you isn't it?
Yes, just a bit. uncle tez said:
Aztec Bronze or the metallic black for me. Is it missing some chrome trim or was it an option/upgrade ? The extra trim around the wheel arch seems to improve the look to me, especially on the black one.
The buyer in '66 had to decide between the "Base" El Camino and the "Custom" El Camino. Custom added a black interior trim option and a lot of the exterior brightwork - drip rails, wheel arch and sills etc. It does have some of the "Custom" brightwork fitted. There is some additional brightwork loose in the pickup bed (or at least it was there when the pics were taken) but it wasn't clear which bits. Didn't look like wheel arches though.
Agree that on darker colours the extra brightwork does look good, and yes Aztec Bronze or black are definitely possibilities
Now on approach to Norfolk, sadly the one in Virginia so a way to go yet. 28 degrees and a bit choppy by the looks of it!
Going back to the previous comment on exterior brightwork, I found another picture showing some of the trim quite well
Which looks similar to what is / was loose in the back of mine
Current thinking of "The Plan" is (very loosely)
View, assuming all largely as expected, buy.
Transport home, do legalities to lights, windscreen washers and any other obvious MOT fails or safety issues.
MOT and then attend to failure points, MOT and register.
Do a basic service, fluids, filters, plugs, brakes and a grease up as necessary.
Run for a few months as-is and assess reliability, mechanical health, driveability and other issues.
Take off road over winter and sort screen rust / make cabin water tight, seals etc. Plus any mechanical issues discovered.
Maybe diy satin blow over at this stage and run for 12 months as semi-rat???
Winter '16 proper professional paint job, black is definitely a strong contender at the moment...
AllyBee said:
Love the wheels/stance (am I allowed to say that on here?) of the Matt Black one, looking at those other pictures Americans sure do love a set of chrome wheels.
They do lend themselves to satin and matt paint treatments quite well, another pic I found that I really rather like, also the Nascar-esque wheel treatment works better than it probably should...Going back to the previous comment on exterior brightwork, I found another picture showing some of the trim quite well
Which looks similar to what is / was loose in the back of mine
Current thinking of "The Plan" is (very loosely)
View, assuming all largely as expected, buy.
Transport home, do legalities to lights, windscreen washers and any other obvious MOT fails or safety issues.
MOT and then attend to failure points, MOT and register.
Do a basic service, fluids, filters, plugs, brakes and a grease up as necessary.
Run for a few months as-is and assess reliability, mechanical health, driveability and other issues.
Take off road over winter and sort screen rust / make cabin water tight, seals etc. Plus any mechanical issues discovered.
Maybe diy satin blow over at this stage and run for 12 months as semi-rat???
Winter '16 proper professional paint job, black is definitely a strong contender at the moment...
5ohmustang said:
This is the only car that the U.S. Army has a running cadence for.
something along the lines ofEl Camino
El El Camino
The front looks like a car, the back looks like a truck,
the front is where you drive, the back is where you f
k....The ship is now on its way to New York which will be the Elk's final port of call in its homeland before Canada, the Atlantic and Europe / UK!
Thanks guys, some quality links there. Seems to be a bit of love for an old pickup on PH
NYK Romulus as snapped by a ship-spotter at Staten Island at the weekend..
To answer a couple of questions and comments:-
I am simply purchasing from Rock and Roll Motors based in Grangemouth, so it is their contact in the US who viewed the vehicle and did the deal over there, and they have arranged shipping and will sort the duty etc.
All of my contact with them has been extremely positive. Jim is a bit of a character and a pleasure to deal with, which is more than I can say for an other importer I have used previously.
In terms of price, obviously these guys are in the business to make a crust and I'm sure I could do it cheaper myself IF (and it is a big IF) I had the time, knowledge and contacts to do so.
That said, having looked at prices being asked (though not necessarily paid) for similar vehicles for sale here, I feel that I can buy the Elk for the price being asked, pay for a professional repaint at some point and still be ahead of the game!!
Yes, this one
is possibly my favourite look so far too. Good chance mine may look similar, at least for a little while....
Thanks for the link to the tonneau cover, although the body style changed in '67 so that particular one wouldn't fit, but I do appreciate the thought.
A tonneau will probably be on the "to do" list at some point. Would probably go for a soft rather than rigid one as they are more practical.
Progress update - not far from Nova Scotia now!
NYK Romulus as snapped by a ship-spotter at Staten Island at the weekend..
To answer a couple of questions and comments:-
I am simply purchasing from Rock and Roll Motors based in Grangemouth, so it is their contact in the US who viewed the vehicle and did the deal over there, and they have arranged shipping and will sort the duty etc.
All of my contact with them has been extremely positive. Jim is a bit of a character and a pleasure to deal with, which is more than I can say for an other importer I have used previously.
In terms of price, obviously these guys are in the business to make a crust and I'm sure I could do it cheaper myself IF (and it is a big IF) I had the time, knowledge and contacts to do so.
That said, having looked at prices being asked (though not necessarily paid) for similar vehicles for sale here, I feel that I can buy the Elk for the price being asked, pay for a professional repaint at some point and still be ahead of the game!!
Yes, this one
is possibly my favourite look so far too. Good chance mine may look similar, at least for a little while....
Thanks for the link to the tonneau cover, although the body style changed in '67 so that particular one wouldn't fit, but I do appreciate the thought.
A tonneau will probably be on the "to do" list at some point. Would probably go for a soft rather than rigid one as they are more practical.
Progress update - not far from Nova Scotia now!
Edited by 99t on Monday 13th July 08:58
Mini update - very nearly at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
I have to say, having been browsing images of all the places the ship has been, Nova Scotia has surprised me the most - through pure ignorance I thought it was probably a bit of a grim place!
Could really have been more wrong...
That's a nice road! Somewhere else added to my "must visit" bucket list!!!
I have to say, having been browsing images of all the places the ship has been, Nova Scotia has surprised me the most - through pure ignorance I thought it was probably a bit of a grim place!
Could really have been more wrong...
That's a nice road! Somewhere else added to my "must visit" bucket list!!!
Big milestone today. After what seems like weeks of touring the Americas the ship has finally departed Halifax, destination Southampton UK!! 
Although that isn't the unloading point for my container, at least it is heading in the right direction now, so it feels like progress!
The ship will shortly drop out of range of the tracking system for a few days now...
Although that isn't the unloading point for my container, at least it is heading in the right direction now, so it feels like progress!
The ship will shortly drop out of range of the tracking system for a few days now...
knight said:
I've always had a soft spot for the El Camino, I'd really like an SS and this thread must be one of the best about following the delivery
I imported a car from Japan in 2003 but back then I doubt I could have got the same detail as you have achieved, top work
Cheers! and this thread must be one of the best about following the delivery I imported a car from Japan in 2003 but back then I doubt I could have got the same detail as you have achieved, top work
Tracking technology is getting pretty good these days, whether that is brilliant or terrifying is a matter of perspective I guess!!
iva cosworth said:
Is it nearly here yet ?.....;)...say it in a child's voice.
It's been a loooong few days but the ship is finally in more familiar waters!!
Going to be a couple more weeks yet as the container comes off in Europe before a final transfer to Grangemouth, but I am definitely starting to get excited now!!
Thanks chaps, finding it slightly strange that anyone other than me would be remotely interested where in the world some random ship is!! 
Anyway, Southampton has been and gone and NYK Romulus is making steady progress up the Channel. Compared to the places it has been on this voyage that sure is one busy waterway!
"My" container will either come off in Antwerp or Rotterdam, although somewhat bizarrely, if it comes of in Antwerp it then goes on a train to Rotterdam anyway!!
Should be in Grangemouth a few days after that, a wait for customs clearance and then it will finally reach Rock and Roll Motors!!
Anyway, Southampton has been and gone and NYK Romulus is making steady progress up the Channel. Compared to the places it has been on this voyage that sure is one busy waterway!
"My" container will either come off in Antwerp or Rotterdam, although somewhat bizarrely, if it comes of in Antwerp it then goes on a train to Rotterdam anyway!!
Should be in Grangemouth a few days after that, a wait for customs clearance and then it will finally reach Rock and Roll Motors!!
djdest said:
Any reason why it couldn't of come off at Southampton?
Cost, cost and cost as I understand it. The cost of transporting the full container up to Grangemouth from Southampton and then returning the empty container back to Southampton in time to avoid demurrage charges is significantly more than the way it is being done. I'm happy to wait an extra week or so if it saves me several hundreds of pounds on the landed price
M3ax said:
I've always loved these and IMO undervalued...
I think they represent good value for money, but at the end of the day the market sets the prices.I guess that not everyone wants or gets the pickup thing, and there can be no denying that the Elk's Chevelle sibling of the same year is a far sexier thing which in turn = ker-ching!
That said when I look at the prices being asked for some seventies and eighties Yanks now (many of which were simply dire and don't even look good IMHO) then for a pukka 60's classic this looks like superb value to me...
wst said:
Bloody hell, Romulus is almost at Antwerp now. I think it's quite interesting how it appears that you don't have to put right out to sea to go from there to Rotterdam, there are cuttings and channels around the weird reclaimed land masses.
No, I'd not realised that until looking on the marine traffic map, zoomed out, and wondering why there were loads of ships that had run aground by about 10 miles!! 
wst said:
I've even found a webcam in the area, I'm wondering if it'll be possible to see the ship on there in a bit...
I've had a crap day, I'm living vicariously through this.
EFA: It didn't go far enough to be seen on the webcam but has docked now. I need to get out.
I've had a crap day, I'm living vicariously through this.
EFA: It didn't go far enough to be seen on the webcam but has docked now. I need to get out.
Glad it has helped you make it through your day!Shame the ship didn't reach the webcam, that's a cracking find. With a 1 second refresh rate it's almost a live stream.
I don't know if the container is still on Romulus or not at this point, not sure whether Jim gets that information, but I suspect not. I've asked the question though.
Regardless, I'll follow Romulus to Rotterdam just in case...
v8.jimmy said:
The container is now provisionally due in Grangemouth on Monday aboard the ship "Seaboard Patriot".
Let's hope the truck has been described accurately
Thanks Jim, top work there!Let's hope the truck has been described accurately
Seaboard Patriot is just arriving in Antwerp as I type, having come from.... Grangemouth!!
It's all looking very promising for an early arrival!!!
So in light of the information kindly obtained by Jim this morning 
, we'll say "Bon voyage and thank you" to NYK Romulus as she continues her journey heading next for Bremerhaven in Germany.
Seaboard Patriot remains moored in Antwerp and here's hoping that a container is currently finding its way to her...
, we'll say "Bon voyage and thank you" to NYK Romulus as she continues her journey heading next for Bremerhaven in Germany.Seaboard Patriot remains moored in Antwerp and here's hoping that a container is currently finding its way to her...
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