Camino LS6

One of the pics showed that the tail lamps wrapped around the corner of the bed gates so that they face rearward when the gates are open. Pretty cool.

I wasn't thinking of names we give to specific cars so much as nicknames in general use. But hey, that's cool too. I've had plenty of cars with names. Spacetruck Meridian The Vile Bile Swamp Thing Mothertruck As for the Vette, I've called it Rip Van Vette a few times - but I'm not sure that'll stick.

Some of them like "Burban" and "Vette" are fine by me, but others like "Elky" and "Maro" really annoy me. Hey, I know it isn't rational, but they rub me the wrong way. List yours up and down.

I saw a Blackwood a few months back - rare sight.

Much better pictures - thanks Ocn. I see this as being very successful, should they build it. I still hate the overly high Granite snout, but the trucklet would make sense for many applications. Not for me, that's for sure, but I'd approve production had I the authority.

Boys, I do believe we've found the issue that people of all political stripes can agree on. Time to put that unanimity to work. A good place for the new congress to begin.

Yes, he bought the car from someone who had changed the color and put a newer style interior in the car. So he disassembled the car and had it repainted in the original color. But he never put it back together. I have some of the interior parts including NOS door panels and the dash, but I will be hunting for much of the rest.

The doorway we pushed it through, and a few pics of it sitting in its temporary lair:

And after pulling out/blowing out the leaves, vacuuming up the debris, and a good scrubbing:

Before the bath:

So it begins. The Vette got its first scrub-down in three decades today. It's amazing how much more viable this project looks now that it's clean. I took a bunch of shots before and after the cleaning, and then a few more of the car in its temporary home. We had to push it through a standard double doorway and the clearance was less than 2" per side - quite nerve-wracking. The car made it safely inside without incident ( other than my now sore back), and I began investigating. For the first time, I have removed the air cleaner and was pleased to find a carb that has fully functioning linkage and butterflies. Not corroded in any way, the carb is looking very serviceable. I then pulled the dipstick, it showed no signs of moisture or rust - just old oil. At that point I pulled the oil filler cap (which needs a new one because the rubber is so hard), and took a look inside the valve cover. It looks beautiful in there! Very clean and no sign of sludge, moisture, or rust so I am very pleased and optimistic about this engine's viability. My last investigation was the fuel tank. I had ugly visions of rust and rot having reclaimed it, but what I found was just the opposite. Shiny metal walls visible through the filler hole and a fair amount of very old and stinky gasoline. I had a good first day of the project without doubt. Pics to follow shortly.

Don't worry, I'll post updates.

No argument there, Stang. But we have to stop being afraid sometime - might as well be now.

If we finally get the Ute here, I doubt I'd give it the "anti-Camino" treatment. Right now, I'm off to go play with the Vette.

Yesterday, a bright red '58/'59 Apache pickup pulled in to a spot next to me at the Wawa. It was a nicely hot-rodded shortbed stepside - looking and sounding great.

The solution is simple. Accept the risks, stop being afraid, and make the choice to fly or not fly. No TSA required. The risks are microscopic, and the reaction is insanely out of proportion. Let's get rational about this.

Where there's a will...

Well, look who showed up! The hairy proto-european prodigal son! Got news for me yet? Stang: I wish I had a wrenching assistant! Not only would the job go faster, it would be more fun.

Equiptment rundown?

Just to clarify, I don't know if the engine is free turning or not. It was parked as a running vehicle. I don't want to try to turn the engine until I have let it soak in oil first. If it is frozen, then I will likely pull it and set it aside.

Whoa! Now that's a Caddy worth talking about! As for the rest, the Germans (except Audi) are vulnerable in my view. Their flagships are hideous bloatmobiles, so if Caddy gets the flagship to market soon, they can rob the Germans of many a sale. The same goes for Jaguar, with its even more unattractive flagship (bordering on just plain wierd). The ATS may be key for volume and general rep, but a proper flagship will give real status back to Cadillac. Judging by the above design study - I'd take mine in coupe form.

I think we are all on the same page, or at least heading toward it. I'm thinking that I'll borrow from the medical profession by adopting "First, do no harm" as a guiding principle. Much will depend on the condition of the engine. I have to pick a penetrating oil to soak the cylinders with prior to attempting to turn the crank. Might get to that this Sunday.

"Nothing lasts forever but the Earth and sky..."

Thanks for the input, I'm going to collect opinions and think it over for a while. Most of the NOS stuff is detail-related (trim etc.) So I have plenty of time to decide. Thanks for the congrats, Cort.

That's just it, I'm not yet sure.