Author Topic: El Camino / Caballero (Read 9523 times)

Dimitri13 · « **on:** December 26, 2012, 08:17:09 PM »

Looking at one tomorrow. It's a 79 Caballero in blue, just like the one pictured. Anyone have any experience with em? It's a 305 V8 with a 4bbl, auto tranny (I'd prefer manual, but column shifter and bench seat is okay by the lady

). Mainly looking at them because I love the body style (G-body), don't really care for trucks, but I like the bed. Main reason I'm buying anything anyway is because I need my own 4-wheeled transportation, because I can't share the family grand cherokee anymore, and I'd like to be able to haul my bike around. Speaking of which, anyone know if a sohc4 will fit in the bed straight with the tailgate closed? I've seen the old ad for an A-body elka with what looks like two cl350s in the back, but does anyone have personal experience with it?

Stev-o · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2012, 08:58:47 PM »

I've always liked the El Caminos, considered getting one to haul my boat a few years ago. The small block 305 is a good motor, would prefer the 350 if I had a choice. I doubt your CB will fit with the tailgate closed, my 550 won't fit straight in my Tacoma. I just leave the tailgate down and use four straps, no issue.
Looks pretty clean, how many miles?

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2012, 09:06:07 PM »

Oh, I wish it was that clean. That's a picture from the barrett jackson site apparently. I'm not sure how many miles on the chassis, but it has 44mi on the rebuilt engine, and even less on the rebuilt tranny.

Stev-o · « **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2012, 09:15:38 PM »

Hers a real nice one near me....

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/3478093872.html

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 26, 2012, 09:23:28 PM »

Now that's clean. Not in my price range though. Had inquired about 4 of them (2 caminos, 2 caballeros), only one responded. Sucks because there's a nice original 68 El Camino that's still available, but the guy just won't return my calls

Stev-o · « **Reply #5 on:** December 26, 2012, 09:30:15 PM »

Yeah, I like the old ones too. I've seen this one around town...

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/3501568347.html

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 26, 2012, 09:37:56 PM »

Now THAT'S what I wanted. No way in hell there would be one for sale here though

starsnbars89 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 26, 2012, 11:31:15 PM »

It the tranny and engine were properly rebuilt and you maintain it, you can expect to get another 100,000+ out of her. 305's were OK, especially for the Monte's, Caprices, El Caminos, etc. (though they often proved under powered for Silverados and full sizes). With the 305, it probably has the TH-350 tranny, which was pretty much standard and held up well when used for what it was meant for. Might be the lower grade though (TH-205 or something???) which sucked... Just cruising with your bike in the bed (presumably at an angle to fit

), that ol' girl should serve you well though.

Just don't plan on getting anything better than 18-20mpg on a good day!

Oh, and '79 was only a few years into emissions control, so vacuum leaks were common during these years. I usually bypass that crap.

Here in PA, it's visual inspection only, so all we do is put the belt on the pollution pump for inspection and once she passes, off that belt comes again!

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2012, 03:51:30 AM »

Yeah I'm not getting this for MPGs, just utility. Won't be a daily driver. And I know all about the emissions stuff. Don't have any inspections for it, so it's coming out asap.

333 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2012, 06:17:22 AM »

I had a '72 with a 350 2 bbl. I put headers and glass packs on it. It was my very first Chevy.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2012, 09:00:43 PM »

Well the Caballero was in pretty decent condition. Hood was a little rusty, as was the rear bumper, but everything else was nice. Turns out the 305 wasn't rebuilt. The carb needed tuning, power steering needed to be bled or it was overfilled. Brakes were nice. Exhaust sounded like it should, it was a true dual exhaust.

FINALLY got a call back from the guy with a 68 El Camino (all original). That has a 307. I'd much prefer that one.

dave500 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2012, 09:10:55 PM »

id take the 307 any day over the anemic 305!,the 307 you pull the two barrel and use the qjet and its a different engine.

jamesb · « **Reply #12 on:** December 27, 2012, 10:22:47 PM »

Check the frame real good. they are known for rusting out real bad. At least here in the Midwest.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 27, 2012, 10:37:21 PM »

Always do. Only rust on the Caballero was the hood and rear bumper. The guy says there's no rust on the el camino, but I'll double check.

Stev-o · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2012, 06:29:30 AM »

When are you going to check out the '68?

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2012, 11:21:29 AM »

Today. HOPEFULLY. The guy has been real flakey on me. Called him the first day, he picked up, asked him some questions, and said I'd call back later to see it. I called him back 15 minutes later, left a message. Called him the next day, left him a message. Called him the on the 26th (three days later) and left another message. My mom called him yesterday, and he picked up. She set up a meeting, then mentioned that she's my mom. He said something about being off-island, but whatever. He supposed to call in a couple of hours to verify the meeting. I REALLY hope he does, because that's the one I have my heart set on.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2012, 01:24:36 PM »

Well, noon rolled around (when he was supposed to call) and didn't hear from him. 2:30, we called him, he said he lost the key and is waiting for the locksmith. Didn't hear from him all day. Now I'm waiting for a call today, but I'll likely have to call him instead.

This is the only reason I'm willing to deal with all this.

(Not the particular one I'm looking at, but it's in very similar condition. Brand new oem paintjob with matching factory wheels, chrome trim all nice and pretty. 68 A-Body)

dave500 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2012, 01:57:35 PM »

sounds like a scam man?oh derr umm err/i done lost the key?

Stev-o · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2012, 02:02:39 PM »

Not a motivated seller. And hope it's a diff color?

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 29, 2012, 02:03:41 PM »

Sounds more like this guy just doesn't want to sell it to me for some reason or is just lazy. If he doesn't let me see it by like Jan 2, I'm just going to make an offer on the Cabby.

Steve: Nope, it's the factory Butternut Yellow. I kinda like it. And yeah he doesn't sound motivated at all, but I've noticed he's renewed the ad once a week or so.

Damfino · « **Reply #20 on:** December 29, 2012, 02:09:08 PM »

Maybe his wife is making him sell it, hence the unwilling seller part...

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2012, 02:10:58 PM »

Damn, Dam. Now you made me depressed.

Stev-o · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2012, 02:19:12 PM »

Dam if he knows

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 30, 2012, 06:03:46 PM »

Well, the El Camino guy is flaking on me again. Called him one last time, left a message saying if I don't hear back from him by the end of the day to set up an appointment to see it, I'll be making an offer on the Caballero. The guy with the Cabby seems to be pretty eager to sell it, too.

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 01, 2013, 11:03:11 PM »

Well, the Cabby guy sold it. He thought I wasn't interested because I was taking so long to call him back. You know why? Because this flaky ass Elka guy won't call me back. I just wanted to see the damn thing and give him lots of money for it!

Now I've exhausted all my on-island options. I found a cheap one that needs just a little work on the Big Island. Gonna fly over on Thursday to check it out and likely buy it. It's an A-body with the quad stacked headlights, but all black.

News:

Author Topic: El Camino / Caballero (Read 9523 times)