November 8, 200817 yr I'm dying for that first long drive... *grins* I think a drive to Illinois would qualify as a long drive .
November 8, 200817 yr Author *grins* I think a drive to Illinois would qualify as a long drive . It sure would, but I will have to keep the distance a bit more modest.
November 8, 200817 yr Lately I find myself wanting this car. It gives me a Cadillac and Saab in one package, plus it's a wagon and it comes with 1.9 liter diesel engine. I know it's not your thing, but it's a win/win for me. I also want it in black. I'd rather have the CTS wagon...because if I want a Saab-based wagon I'll buy a Saab. Camino you project is really coming along! Can't wait to see it finished.
November 8, 200817 yr Author Thanks DF, I'm going to try to find the energy to get back out there tonight.
November 9, 200817 yr It sure would, but I will have to keep the distance a bit more modest. Damn. So NOT the correct answer, you know ... he he . But, no worries ... I certainly understand. Still....always a possibility ......
November 10, 200817 yr Author For the last few days I have spent an insane number of hours trying to get the alignment of all the panels right. It's not perfect yet, but I decided that I needed a break from that frustrating task. So, I finished the detailing of the front bumper parts ( rub strips, bumperettes, turn signal lamps, and license plate holder) and installed them on the re-chromed bumper I found on Ebay a while back. I had to see what it looked like on the car, so I installed it temporarily. Pics: The front plate is as old as the car (or close to it). I'm not sure, but I think that I had it before I even had a car. When I cleaned it up tonight, I saw that the price sticker was still on it - I paid $2.99 for it way back when. I know that I had it on my first El Camino for a short time about 1980.
November 27, 200817 yr Author I'm a bit behind in updating this as the wagon has been driveable for a few weeks now. For the moment it is "finished". The paint, A/C, and so on will have to wait for funds to become available. But , the car is on the road, inspected, registered, and insured. The time between now and when it gets painted will serve as my "shakedown" of everything I have already done. I'm pretty happy with the results. The weather is pretty nice today (for a change) so I put it outside for some decent pics, and will be driving it to Thanksgiving dinner. Pics:
November 29, 200817 yr Lookin' GOOD, Camino! Ah, dangit...I gotta get back to PA sometime soon to see this in person now that it is "out and about" .
November 29, 200817 yr Much coolness. The rear view is rich with period modernity, with that curvy liftgate.
November 29, 200817 yr Author Well said, Ocn. There really is nothing else quite like a colonnade wagon, they had a unique look.
November 29, 200817 yr GM has pretty much been the king of nice, midsized cars. I remember when cars like that used to rule the road. Much nicer than the jellybean cars of today. Nice work Camino! Chris
November 29, 200817 yr 66, you are right. I think it was when the excellent RWD G-bodies were left to stagnate and the jarringly insufficient FWD A-bodies took their place that GM "lost it" with regards to midsize cars. It was around that time the Japanese started to display a talent, through hard work, for building midsize cars that people wanted. In 2008, we finally once again have a top notch Malibu (hindered only by a lack of bodystyles) that, despite excellent press and multiple awards for quality, cannot match the ugly but nicely made Accord and the all-around crappy Camry for sales. A travesty, imo. Sorry to hijack.
November 30, 200817 yr Not hijack...the GM A bodies from about 64-77 and the G body cars from 78-87 were about the best they ever built. May they rest in peace... Chris
November 30, 200817 yr Author Not hijack...the GM A bodies from about 64-77 and the G body cars from 78-87 were about the best they ever built. May they rest in peace... Chris Those cars account for an easy 70% of all of the cars I love.
December 1, 200817 yr Thanks. Maybe it will be painted by then too. Ahhh...that'd be sweet if it was! And, "me, too" about the A and G bodys!
December 29, 200817 yr Camino, I thought of you earlier today, when I saw this: http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/971927261.html Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...Chitown #2 = 07/25/09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I can't remember who I was back then" ... Tim McGraw ... 'Red Ragtop'
January 17, 200917 yr Author Sorry I missed your post Cort, the listing expired before I got to see it. Was it a wagon like mine?
January 25, 200917 yr Sorry I missed your post Cort, the listing expired before I got to see it. Was it a wagon like mine? *nods* Yes, indeed. EXACTLY like yours ... silver with red interior. I thought it was yours when I first saw it . he he Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...RT 66 drive = Sept '09 WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort "I'll take a Chevrolet just any day" ... John Conlee ... 'Common Man'
November 13, 200916 yr Author Well, the wagon's been on the road for a year now, and I don't see me getting back to working on it anytime soon. *sigh* I guess I'll be writing an ad for it tomorrow.
November 13, 200916 yr Not in a position right now to buy it myself... But what are you going to ask for it? Chris
November 13, 200916 yr Funny...that is EXACTLY what I thought the fair market current value should be! Damn...really do wish this year had been a little bit better to me financially. I've worked about 30 hours a week all year. Had I been working regularly...methinks the wagon would have Ohio plates on it...things are getting better though. Chris
November 15, 200916 yr Author Are those T/A GTA wheels on the wagon? A set would look nice on the Regal ... No, but they are very similar.
April 6, 201114 yr Did you ever solve your center cap issue? I noticed while reading my C&D magazine that Tire Rack is carrying Enkei Classic's...wondered if those might be the wheels on your wagon. If so, may be able to order new center caps. Link
April 6, 201114 yr Author Did you ever solve your center cap issue? I noticed while reading my C&D magazine that Tire Rack is carrying Enkei Classic's...wondered if those might be the wheels on your wagon. If so, may be able to order new center caps. Link Nope, never did. Thanks for the link (it sure looks like those are the wheels I have). I'm still hoping to find some Chevy center caps that fit. I have a feeling that late 70s Vette caps might work.
April 17, 201114 yr Author Fired-up the wagon for the first time since the start of Winter - makes me want to start daily driving it again.
October 19, 201114 yr Author Well, the exhaust that came with the wagon is finally starting to go. One of the mufflers is bad and it will take the tailpipe with it. Everything else is still solid, so I'm debating about what to do. Meineke want $250 (estimate) for a cheapo muffler and custom-bent tailpipe. Eventually, I want to replace the old headers and duals that came with the car with ceramic headers and a full stainless exhaust. I wonder if Ocn's buddies in Lancaster would do just a pair of mufflers and tailpipes in stainless for me - with the rest to follow later.
June 2, 201411 yr Again, awesome. If I had the cash, i would buy this thing and give it a home in Ohio.
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