Well, technically the '77 is still Dad's. We haven't settled on a price, and no money or trade has been exchanged. Its even still titled in his name.

Well, I found a '74 on ebay, that had a lot of good parts I wanted, and the price was reasonable for a parts truck. So, I went to look at it last night, but ended up driving it home. Drove about 40 miles or so with no problems, and actually handled quite well. It has a few rust spots and dents, but for the most part is quite clean, and pretty much all there.

Now I can't decide which Camino to build, and which to drive. The '74 has the bumper and headlights I want, plus a nice black interior (bench seat and sweep gauges, but that can change). It also has new shocks, new tires, and came with new window felts, and door/window gaskets, plus several other goodies including an extra set of wheels and 3 shop manuals. It probably needs a starter, but other than that could be a good driver.

Just thought I'd share... I may also be inheriting ( if that's the right word) a mid 80's full size Chevy van. My father-in-law is looking for a new vehicle, and wants to give us the old van...

Here's a pic off ebay...


and here's the '77 again...

 

Nice find.

I know everyone has their own opinions on vechicles, and here's mine...

I like the the look of the 77. The 74 reminds me too much of a car.....sporty, but still like a car and not much of an El Camino.

If that makes any sense....either way, I'm sure you'll do the right thing.

Again, keep us up todate.

 

Thanks!

I know what you mean though about the look, but I think a lot of it is the wheels and tires. The '74 has the original 14's on it with the original covers.

I'm really thinking about leaving the '77 like it is, and building the '74. I'm still thinking TPI 350 (or possibly a 327 if I can find one), 6-spd, pw, pl, rear discs, beefed up rear, and I hate to admit it, but I'm kinda thinking Torq Thrust II or Cragar SS II's with 17's up front and 19's out back... I gotta play around with photo shop, but I'm still wanting the black over silver two-tone paint...

 

both are nice.
i like the turbine wheels on the 77.
the 74 looks in good shape.
i have a 70. pic is in my gallery.

nice to know there is another camino "brother" on this site.

see ya - oaw

 

there really is no other wheel for that style!!Someday I'd like to find a BB SS in that style.Nice truck BTW.

 

I like the quad headlights on the '77, but prefer the monotone paint scheme of the '74......

 

Another vote for the '77. It looks like it's in much better shape.

 

Well, I put a new starter on the '74 and drove it to work today. It handled just fine. The best $750 vehicle I've ever owned. It even rained today, and I didn't notice any leaks...

I'm still torn about what to do. I've always been such a fan of the round lights, but now that I actually have one I've kinda been swayed to the square... I'm also starting to like the brown/tan two tone for a driver. So, I've been kinda thinking about keeping the '77 kinda like it is. Maybe just finish out the interior, and do a few other things to make it a good driver. Then focus all the big buck parts on the '74...

I think I've found the wheels I want... These in 17" and 20".

Before this I'd been researching brakes, and I can get a pretty cool front/rear big disc setup from SSBC. I've always been against big wheels on most old cars. I think the main thing I don't like about them is that most people find really "busy" and gawdy wheels, then they put the same size wheel and tire all around, and leave the little brakes. I kinda think this body style would look pretty good with big wheels, especially if they're bigger in back, and have some nice big discs to fill them up...

 

I've never been a big fan of the El Comino, but if I were in your shoes I would build the '74. The '77 looks good but the '74 I think represents the era better.

 

I agree on the wheels. I had a set of those on my 79 Nova.