Camino LS6

No matter what happens, it's been lots of fun doing this "mental build" on this car.

L-79 327 in a '65 Chevelle. Yes, this is what it looked like from the factory.

Yeah, if I do this several somethings would have to go immediately. Here's the only pic I could find of the valve covers I'm talking about. The pic is lousy, and the decals I remember were different.

In '65 th Impala SS 327s had these great-looking chrome valve covers with engine callout and in a unique sharp-creased shape. They would make a perfect touch under the hood. I also happen to have a pair of those Chevrolet scripted valve covers (like the maroon car I posted) in stock in the barn.

My current thinking: Lagoon Aqua exterior White Interior Black dash pad and carpet

Lagoon Aqua:

Good input, guys. I like a few of those wheels. And Ocn's idea of dog dish with body color has a certain appeal for this car. God, but I still love that car, BP!

What wheels would you go with? I like the American Racing Torq Thrusts on my Nova. Those are about the only other wheel that would have the right look - I actually like them better than Cragars.

What wheels would you go with?

That one I posted looks like a real bargain at $11.5k when compared to the one we've been discussing at $10k. But then, the asking price drops to about half that without the 350/4spd. drivetrain (and with the old 327). Room to talk maybe, but not much. Then there is the fact that I like the '65s so much more than the '64s.

There is. It isn't an original 4spd car, the three speeds were all on the tree.

This puts things into perspective: http://www.autabuy.com/Gallery/?ID=672713&ShowAdSense=1&K=1964%20Chevrolet%20El%20Camino%204%20SPD%2E K-mart Cragars!

I'd have to be pretty sure about what I'd want to do with the car. I don't really want the guy's tweaked 350, but it would be nice to have an M-22 4spd. again. To go all original, I'd be rebuilding the 327, looking for a correct 3spd. manual, patching the shifter hole in the floor, painting the car that ugly original gold color, buying all of the missing emblems and trim... On the other hand, a modern LS drivetrain just wouldn't be right in this car. The '77 recipe will not work either. I think maybe a semi-faithful resto would be the right thing here. Use the 327, but keep the 4spd. Restore the interior, but change the color and find a floorshift steering column, maybe a factory console with original buckets. Then use a year-correct color on the exterior that doesn't turn my stomach like the gold does. And, perhaps, add some of the trim and emblems, but not all. The car loves the Cragars, so they could stay.

I'm doing that thinking - and my head hurts.

Rollback truck (car hauler).

2nd gen.

Guy noticed that he had a missed call, and called me back. The plot thickens... I was right, this was a 327, 3spd. car (but not overdrive). He still has the 327, though not the trans. He's willing to sell the car as a roller w/o the engine and 4spd. trans that are in it now. As it sits, Balthy was spot-on - he wants 10k for it. Just so happens that he has other stuff (like a split bumper Camaro) that he might sell. And he has a rollback. I may be doomed.

OK, I called. Voicemail is full.

Looked that way to me too, but the damned pic is too small to be positive. That's why I was guessing the three-speed overdrive trans. I taught myself to drive a stick on a '65 Chevelle with the 3spd, overdrive manual - it was a hoot to drive, sort of a semi-automatic. Just stab the gas, and it kicked down to a lower gear.

Haha. Been doing some digging and this is the uplevel interior, the gold you see on the dash is the original exterior color, the 4spd. could be original, The shifter location is correct, the car has been seriously de-badged, and there were no vinyl roofs in '64. Yeah, I could just call. What's the harm, right? Would love to see the build sheet for this one.

Good question about the price. I'm sort of in fear of it being reasonably priced - not sure I could control myself if it were. I'm betting this car started life with a 327 and a 3spd. overdrive manual. It's a very high-optioned car for a '64. Some dumb stuff has been done to it when you look at collectability, but it would be tons of fun to drive as is. If the original parts are still hanging around though...

I think it is supposed to be that maroon color Chevelles used back then - but isn't. I'd trade the wagon for it, but it would be dangerous for me to own this car right now...

A bunch of rare options on this one - too bad it isn't more original.

http://reading.craigslist.org/cto/3228268637.html

Ugly and short. A "baby" Duramax might be a better choice for this idea - the real deal is just too much for this sort of car. Even the rear diff would have to be massive...