Sign-up - 1959 Chevrolet El Camino - December 15th

[Mike Phillips]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/AG-car-of-the-week.jpg


Sign-up - 1959 Chevrolet El Camino - December 15th (
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/AG-car-of-the-week.jpg)


I met Al, the owner of this very cool 1959 El Camino about a year ago. The car has a great story and classic 1950's styling. There is one problem however... it's really swirled-out bad... as in really, really really bad.

I've probably worked on cars in worse condition but nothing comes to mind at this moment that's how bad the paint is on this classic El Camino.

Al and his El Camino will be here this Thursday for an Extreme Makeover. Some times we do "Show Car Makeovers" for cars in good condition but for cars like Al's, only the term Extreme Makeover accurately describes what's about to take place...


I struggle with getting good shots in the dark so Thursday I'll have better pictures until then here's what I was able to capture in the parking lot in the dark.

The 1959 El Camino is very rare...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino004.jpg



No plastic trim to have to tape-off on this car...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino001.jpg



This is the only year the El Camino came with horizontal fins and what are called Cat Eye Taillights...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino002.jpg



The swirls you see in the paint below is what the entire car looks like...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino003.jpg



The paint is single stage black, this mean it's going to be soft and easy to buff. The paint will come out like a black mirror when were finished.

The opportunity to work on cool cars with single stage paint is becoming more and more rare, it's truly a treat. If you're in the Stuart area, this will be a great project to be a part of...


We start at 5:00pm sharp! If you want to join in the fun then reply to this thread...


Here's where the action takes place...

Autogeek's Garage
7744 SW Jack James Drive
Stuart, FL 34997
Mapquest Driving Directions (http://tinyurl.com/l5d6vf)


The door to the right of the garage door is the entrance to our TV Studio where we conduct these events.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/OpenStudio011.jpg


:)

[Mirror Detailing]

I wish I lived in that area. I would love to come watch or lend a hand.

I will be able to add to your love of classic single stage, as a customer of mine is dropping off his 1970 Chevelle to my shop next week, so I can return a favor to him and test out some product.

[Mike Phillips]

I will be able to add to your love of classic single stage, as a customer of mine is dropping off his 1970 Chevelle to my shop next week




Single stage, (Like on this El Camino), is real paint. Old single stage paints polish up to a super high gloss with a richness of color that just can't be duplicated by a clear coat finish, especially when it comes to single stage black paint.


:xyxthumbs:

[BillE]

Single stage, (Like on this El Camino), is real paint. Old single stage paints polish up to a super high gloss with a richness of color that just can't be duplicated by a clear coat finish, especially when it comes to single stage black paint.


:xyxthumbs:

Ain't that the TRUTH!

Bill

[Mike Phillips]

Ain't that the TRUTH!

Bill



Anytime someone on the forum gets a car with single stage paint to buff out, and it's their first time working on a single stage paint, I like to ask them to share what they think of the experience, and it's almost always a very positive experience.

There's just something about old single stage paints that makes them fun to polish whereas clear coats tend to just be work.

I wrote an article to kind of share the difference here,

The practical differences between single stage paints and a clear coat paints (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/21924-practical-differences-between-single-stage-paints-clear-coat-paints.html)


And because most restorations and hotrods are re-painted using modern basecoat/clearcoats its becoming more and more rare for the opportunity to buff out a "cool" car with single stage paint.

I hope we get a strong turn-out...


:xyxthumbs:

[Hoytman]

That thing is sweet!

I agree that single stage when it's right simply looks amazing. Still, why do many rodders continue to use the clearcoat? Probably because clearcoat is harder paint, but that in itself has drawbacks.

[Mike Phillips]

Still, why do many rodders continue to use the clearcoat? Probably because clearcoat is harder paint, but that in itself has drawbacks.


Believe it or not, I would suggest that most people when they go to have their project car painted with a custom paint job just go with what their painter recommends and most painters are going to shoot the "system" they're using in their business and that is predominantly basecoat/clearcoat paint systems.

There are lots of benefits to modern clear coat technology and to get a new single stage finish a person would simply have to discuss this with the painter. Most shops shooting anything single stage will still be a hi-tech paint system.

This is a single stage urethane in black...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/1956Ford150a.jpg

[TheCougarGuy]

Those 59's are one of my favorites. Amazing lines.

[Rencor]

Will be there!

[Mike Phillips]

Will be there!

Cool, this will be a very fun project. See if any of your Camaro buddies want to tag along...


:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

Here's a link to some interesting info on the 59 Ekly...

1959 Classic Chevrolet - El Camino (http://www.59classicchevy.com/body-styles-El-Camino.html)


Chevrolet Engineers trimmed the El Camino out in middle of the line Bel Air trim, but the results were still spectacular. However, the 1959 Chevy El Camino's development was rushed, and it was not as successful as the Ford Ranchero, with only about 22,000 units built the first year. The base price of a 1959 Chevrolet El Camino was about $2700.00. Chevrolet dropped the El Camino from the 1961 product line and redesigned it as a Chevelle for the 1964 model year.

http://www.59classicchevy.com/images/1959-chevrolet-El-Camino-3.jpg

http://www.59classicchevy.com/images/1959-chevrolet-El-Camino-2.jpg


http://www.59classicchevy.com/images/1959-chevrolet-El-Camino-4.jpg

[Rencor]

Will check but doubt it. I placed an order and having them put in the garage.
Cool, this will be a very fun project. See if any of your Camaro buddies want to tag along...


:xyxthumbs:

[ShaunD]

That is going to be a sweet project; another one that I will miss out on:(
Really like the El Caminos, but '59 has got to be the coolest! Can wait to see the transformation.:)

[Mike Phillips]

Steve e-mailed me and said he'll be here. Steve said,

The '59 El Camino is one of my favorites for sure as it is the first year of the Chevy truck/car.


Steve owns the 1969 Camaro Pace Car we buffed out here,

1969 Camaro Pace Car - Show Car Makeover - Modeled by Michelle (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/43165-1969-camaro-pace-car-show-car-makeover-modeled-michelle.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC107.jpg




Thanks Steve!


:dblthumb2:

[Mike Phillips]

That is going to be a sweet project; another one that I will miss out on:(


Dang...



Really like the El Caminos, but '59 has got to be the coolest! Can wait to see the transformation.


I agree.

So many of the 1959 cars were so cool just from a style point of view. If you look at the back of the roof line on this 1959 El Camino it has the same design as the 1959 Cadillac Flattop...


Sorry for the lousy photo, I'm working on learning more about taking shots in low light settings...

This is the back of the roof line, it extends past the back window, kind of like a lip...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1339/1959ElCamino003.jpg




Here's a picture of the nicest 1959 Cadillac I've owned and it was a Flattop and had the same roof line desgin...

http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1959Flattop01c.jpg

At the Golden Oldies Car Show in Lebanon, Oregon circa 2001
http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1959Flattop02.jpg



I used to hate Flattops but after owning a couple they kind of grow on you...


:)