An open disclaimer to any haters that are lurking out there: You might be thinking "That's just wrecking the El Camino" (Or Cutlass for that matter.) Neither is exactly true. The El Camino needed a complete restoration due to being a daily driver for numerous salty southern Ontario winters. I'm restoring it, but I'm choosing to use Oldsmobile parts. The Cutlass was scrapped because it needs a Y pipe, brake lines, and some heavy duty patching to the trunk and rear frame area. I need the front end and interior which are both in good shape, so it works out well.

Thanks to everyone for voting for my ride, it's truly appreciated! Please check out my poll and help me name her.
Update - February 1/09 : I picked up the car from the bodyshop yesterday! I wasn't too thrilled to have to drive an hour and a half home while it was lightly snowing (And the salt trucks were out) but I took my time and the car is now safely in my garage until the nice weather comes. When I get it out I'm going to make a completely new page for it, until then I'm keepiing it under wraps but I've posted a couple more sneak peeks for the faithful. Enjoy!

Update - March 28/09 : I've created a new page for the finished "Camino Supreme"! (Thanks to all who took the time to vote for the name) I'm called it an '84 Cutlass so that's what it's listed as. That means that's it as far as new content on this page, consider it "the making of..." Thanks for visiting, cardomain rocks!!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3308387    Here's a link to the new page, enjoy!

Pages 1 and 2 : Build pictures
Page 3 : El Cutlass sees daylight!
Page 4 : Body Shop pictures 

Page 5 : Some before and after pictures but not the full reveal, see my other page for that!

I have more detailed pictures of this with the page for my other car, the 86 Cutlass for those who are interested. (Look at pages 3 and 4) Basically, I bought this 84 Cutlass as a scrap car when I still worked at a wrecking yard, and I also bought my neighbour Ray's 85 GMC Caballero. (El Camino twin)

So my idea is to take the front clip off the Elky and replace it with the one from the Cutlass, ending up with a one of a kind Cutlass pickup. "El Cutlass" or the "Camino Supreme" if you will....

Something no one else has, the ultimate crossover vehicle...

I'm going to go all the way with this, swapping out the interiors as well.

Here's a couple of pix of the El Camino in my garage with the front end off. I had to patch the frame a little while it was all apart. (Again I have more pictures and details with the other car)

And here's a couple from before, when I first parked it.

So here we have some pix with the Cutlass front clip on the El Camino. (Notice how the Cutlass parts make it longer? There's pictures explaining this on the other car's page.) I still have a long way to go with this but I know it can be done! Stay tuned, more pictures to follow...

I removed the windshield because it had a huge stone chip, and since the one in the Cutlass is OK (And it'll fit!) I might as well use it. I'm glad I took it out because as you can see in the picture on the right, my good friends those effin tin worms have been hard at work on the passenger side lower corner. I need Carlo to come over and do some more welding.

Here's a picture with the dash removed. Scary sight! I'm glad I'm labelling everything so I know how the heck it goes back together...On the right is a picture of the red headed stepchild of this whole deal, the Cutlass. I've put the El Camino doors (With the Cutlass glass installed) back on the Cutlass to keep the snow and crap out. Trust me, this looks better than the ghetto style big blue tarp I had before. I really do feel sorry for this car but what can I do? This is it's destiny! At least half of it will get to live on...

Check it out yo! My El Camino that now features a Cutlass dash! I ended up having to switch the complete wiring harness. Wow, what a job! I made sure to label everything that I wouldn't need from the Cutlass. I taped off the power sunroof, rear defog, trunk light, and power trunk release. In theory this should work. The Elky had manual windows and locks, the Cutlass is power so this was a heck of a lot of wiring. I also had to run wires thru the firewall for the Oil pressure sensor and tach lead. From this dash being intact in the Cutlass to how you see it now (With all the frustrating wiring issues inbetween!) took 10 hours. This was a huge task, I even had to swap the heating ducts since the dash vents are in different places from car to car. On the right is what I might do: Put in the Cutlass VIN beside the original. I'm tellin ya, it's literally going to be half of each! Think I'd get in trouble from the feds? (The Cutlass ownership is in my name all legal like, but it will be registered and insured with the VIN on the right, '85 GMC Caballero.)

Here we are with the steering column in. I've hooked up the battery and wicked! It actually worked. It runs (Very important eh!) and all the major systems seem to work. I ended up having to change the engine harness as well. The one that goes to the alt and down to the starter. What I nightmare, I've now got 20 hours into sorting out all this wiring BS. Good thing is it looks like I'm done, all that will be left is the stuff for my stereo. (Thank God, I was tired of dealing with the spaghetti factory....)

I've rebuilt the column. When I do this I like to install a brand new ignition cylinder. (On left) This way I've got two nice keys still with the plugs in 'em, so it's like having a new car. I also replace the signal/multi-function switch. (On right) You know how all that white writing for the cruise control wears out? Again, now it's like brand new!