lucky me? NOW WITH PICS

FullThrottleStangs · Jul 14, 2010

ok well ive been volunteering at the warehouse for my fathers heart foundation on my days off from work. i was wheeling a cart to load it in the truck, when i saw an old el camino, in okay-condition. i talked to the guy that owns it, and its in running condition right now.

i told him ive been needing a DD car so i dont have to drive around my mach 1 everywhere.

basycally i need to contact him if im interested. i dunno how much he wants, but id say around maybe 2000-3000 for it.

its a v8 (dont know what size) and its an automatic. body is in PERFECT condition besides paint and a few tiny spots of rust.

this is one of those cars that would be a great fixer-upper/restoration.

so what you think about this being a nice DD guys?

so heres what it looks like:

the body is in great condition, and the paint isnt too bad either.

the front end is flawless besides a little bit of chipping paint. chrome is still looking good and there are no dents or dings

the engine bay isnt too bad either. sure its a little dirty, but thats to be expected

rear end and bed looks great too. once again little paint chipping but still little to no dents or dings

as you can see there is some rust outside on the lining of the bed and some in the bed itself

chrome lining is still in good condition, but just a few dings here and there

so hows it looks guys? i really need some advice here, and my father is actually kinda taking to the idea of my purchasing this.

i feel like i could learn a lot about how cars work and function by maintaining this through the years. then learn even more when i decide to fix it up or put some money into it and restore it.

Win · Jul 14, 2010

Re: lucky me?

It can sure be a fun Car/Truck. MPG might be a little on the lower side but hey who cares. Get some pics of it up!

FullThrottleStangs · Jul 14, 2010

Re: lucky me?

yeah i got multiple pics today... workin on getting em up.

mygreengt · Jul 14, 2010

Re: lucky me?

Cool beans

1bad95 · Jul 14, 2010

Re: lucky me?

pretty neat cartrucks. probably has a 305 in it. tihnk only the SS's came with 350's

switch96 · Jul 14, 2010

:angry7:

Yesterday you couldn't afford a DD, now your looking in the $3k range? You can buy a lot more car for that money. A nice 4x4 F-series or Ranger, namely. Something without a carburetor atleast.

19mustang95 · Jul 14, 2010

i hope it never breaks down on you, because you struggled with your Mach1 running and having a carb car is a WHOLE different ballpark.

FullThrottleStangs · Jul 14, 2010

venmuss said:
:angry7:

Yesterday you couldn't afford a DD, now your looking in the $3k range? You can buy a lot more car for that money. A nice 4x4 F-series or Ranger, namely. Something without a carburetor atleast.

im just looking into it and getting some opinions

mygreengt · Jul 14, 2010

i like the older elcaminos

Snowed · Jul 14, 2010

Lot more/ different headaches with a carb'd car, and an old car like that is bound to have a few unforseen issues, older cars are easier to work on in ways but you end up working on them more, trust me I restored a 79 camaro in hs, they are fun to drive have the old school look, but if your gonna get a dd, then you want something a bit more reliable, still would look nice restored

ttocs · Jul 14, 2010

they are rust buckets once it starts you can't stop it unless you really want to put the time into it.

I would be thinkin somethin smaller really, better milage...

RockstarMentality · Jul 14, 2010

im looking for a winter truck, and i want it to be an elco.
hey if it doesnt start one day, bfd u still have the mach. its prolly a 305 which is junk but easy to work on and (at least i hope) you arent looking for something that hauls ass. idk bout 2-3k tho, theyre listed on CL daily for that much, and if you know the guy he should cut you a deal, especially if youre working for him for free.
also you dont have to worry bout that light rear end in the snow/ice in TN

Lee12609 · Jul 14, 2010

wow, you're looking at things backwards. your mach is the perfect daily driver. you arent financially well off enough at such a young age to have a $20k weekend cruiser.

now if you want a car that can actually be maintained for little to nothing and keep the miles down on the mach then grab a cheap $2000-3000 honda civic. a classic car is HORRIBLE to daily drive. it could be in mint condition and you'll still constantly have little querks to work on. stuck thermostat, busted hose, slipping transmission, brakes going out, etc...... its just not worth it unless you are a full fledged mechanic, i am and i'd still think very hard before purchasing a daily driver older than me.....

and whoever said the SS came with a 350 is wrong, all of the SS came with a 305HO out of the iroc-z...... nothing wrong with a 305 though, just bad gas mileage and less power than a v6 stang!!!!

Steven · Jul 14, 2010

This is one thing I'll have to disagree with, a classic car is sometimes more reliable then most of the later models. It may not be super comfortable but it'll be dependable. Those old el caminos were good pickups, cheap, super simple to work on. The entire chassis and drivetrain are super universal, so parts are cheap. I'd drive it

Lee12609 · Jul 14, 2010

you are also mechanically inclined too.......

i agree, chassis is basically an s10 though.

pushrod/carb technology only beats new stuff when the guy working on it doesnt know what he's doing.....

Steven · Jul 14, 2010

Once again, I disagree. I've yet to see a modular put out near the NA power of any pushrod ford or LS based motor. Cobras included. John Kaase built a STREET boss 429, made 835 horsepower, on a mild camshaft, at like 6k rpm. And like 800+ ft/lbs of torque at 4200. We don't need superchargers bow, or injectors or computers. A good carb, intake, and heads, match up a camshaft, and she'll lay the numbers down.

JonBeast · Jul 14, 2010

Definitely NOT a good daily driver...sure it would be cool to have, but it would be a stupid car to drive everyday unless you are a beach bum that drives 5 miles a day to and from the beach with your surf board in the bed :tongue3:

DropTopPony · Jul 14, 2010

For me it would be a great DD, but I have some tools/garage and money to work on it. For you it might not be so great as a DD. I think a cheap import or focus etc might be best for now. Something that will start everyday and just go. Try and find like a cheap corolla or civic etc.

Cool cars though! I have always liked them especially when guys dropped 396's or 454's in them

FullThrottleStangs · Jul 14, 2010

Id really LOVE THIS CAR. i dunno guys... its really clinging to me........

i know gas mileage would suck, big deal.

its in running and a STABLE running condition from what the guy said. now whether thats true or not is yet to be know.

as crazy as it sounds, i LOVE to work on cars. whether its detailing, interior work, or performance, or WHATEVER. its all fun to me. im looking at being able to restore a car and this is an excellent candidate.

i dont know much of anything at all, but this car could teach me a lot. sure it doesnt NEED work, but itd be a great car to "fiddle with", instead of an 18k mach 1.