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Fifty Years ago this month.

1K views 20 replies 13 participants last post by  72soft-top 
#1 ·
I ordered my SS 454 -M/22 El Camino in Feb. of 70 at Sahli Chevrolet in Beaver Falls, Pa. It was built in March at Balt. The old triple Black El Camino is still in my Garage. Power steering-brakes-windows, A/C, R. Mirror, V.top,Etc.
I did not plan on keeping it, It just worked out that way.....:thumbsup:
Bob
 
#3 ·
As Ronald Regan would say...... " Well"...... I have pictures,,BUT.... I need my wife to do that. Later today......... Bob
 
#5 ·
Congrats on your "accidental" foresight. That is a rare thing to find a car that spent so long together. A seemingly estranged member on the site owned a COPO Chevelle since new until fairly recently. He attributed it to good luck more than good management, as cars often came and went with him.

I remember going with dad when he ordered his new '70 Biscayne in December '69. It arrived in quickly in January '70. He bought a completely stripped base model with a six & 3-in-the-tree. He splurged on larger blackwalls, F40 suspension and a T60 battery. It had a nice radio block-off that I should have grabbed for a someday 427 Biscayne (along with the clutch pedal set-up). Dad brought it home in the dark, so the next morning we were all watching out the front window to see the new car. Funny thing, at exactly the same time our neighbors across from us were doing the exact same thing, as they also just got a new car. Their eyes were trained on Dad's Biscayne, while our eyes were trained on our neighbor's new Buick Wildcat.
 
#7 ·
Congrats on your anniversary, Bob! :beers: Does it seem like yesterday or did it go by in a flash? Or both! ;)

Congrats on your "accidental" foresight. That is a rare thing to find a car that spent so long together. A seemingly estranged member on the site owned a COPO Chevelle since new until fairly recently. He attributed it to good luck more than good management, as cars often came and went with him.

I remember going with dad when he ordered his new '70 Biscayne in December '69. It arrived in quickly in January '70. He bought a completely stripped base model with a six & 3-in-the-tree. He splurged on larger blackwalls, F40 suspension and a T60 battery. It had a nice radio block-off that I should have grabbed for a someday 427 Biscayne (along with the clutch pedal set-up). Dad brought it home in the dark, so the next morning we were all watching out the front window to see the new car. Funny thing, at exactly the same time our neighbors across from us were doing the exact same thing, as they also just got a new car. Their eyes were trained on Dad's Biscayne, while our eyes were trained on our neighbor's new Buick Wildcat.

I posted about this previously...my '73 Nova SS was ordered new by my Dad in July or August of '72. Was left to me when he passed away in 2011. Still just 21,xxx original miles. :thumbsup: When I'm done with the wagon project, the plan is to return the Nova to its full Day 2 glory, including side pipes!
 
#8 ·
Pete:
Here is what I do remember. Went to Sahlis in Feb. of 70 and talked to my Salesman " Bill Riddle ". That day I ordered a Triple black SS 454//M-22 El Camino . Along with all the power options, I ordered an LS-6//M-22 with all the power stuff. 3-4 days later Bill Riddle called me and said we have to RE-DO your order.
With the A/C you cannot get an LS-6.. DAAAaa. He said you can get an LS-5. OK, I said whatz an " LS-5" He said , " Some kind of 454 that you can get with A/C.... -OK, Get that engine, Also you can not get F-41 Suspension with an El Camino, WHY? Its not on the option list.
............................................................................................................
Camino is delivered, Sign papers and go to leave, I drive about 2-300 feet and go back to the salesman, I said Bill you drive my El Camino. He goes around the block and comes back and drives it into the dealers shop.
Its up on the rack,,, VERY LOUD 4 Speed NOISE. After about a half hour ( everyone is guessing what the noise is.) The owner Ed Sahli gave it a listen and said, Mark on the paper work " Very loud noise in tranny upon delivery, We will repair when needed. If you want to hear loud, Stand under an M-22 when someone is going through the gears when its on a rack. ( It still makes that same loud noise today.)
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The paint. I go home and dont know why, But I wash it! The drivers side rocker panel had almost NO paint on it, ( it had a brown look ) The left side rocker panel was LUMPY, It had paint runs in it. Back to Sahlis, Jim Bender ( RIP), Body shop boss, Bring in it we will fix it up. Scuffs up the drivers side and shoots some black on it, while it is drying, To the right side, NEVER SAW THIS BEFORE.. He cuts the runs off and trims them down with a RAZOR BLADE, Sandpaper on a paint stick then some buffing ,,,Now it is Beautiful.
Bob
My wifes brother was a boss a FORD Wayne Assmb.(Taylor, Mich.) Plant, 40 years. He would tease my about my " Trying to be almost perfect with my Chevelles".
He said ,, G.M.--FORD--MOPAR, Have " YET " to build a show car from the Assmb. line. I do Agree.
 
#10 ·
...
My wifes brother was a boss a FORD Wayne Assmb.(Taylor, Mich.) Plant, 40 years. He would tease my about my " Trying to be almost perfect with my Chevelles".
He said ,, G.M.--FORD--MOPAR, Have " YET " to build a show car from the Assmb. line. I do Agree.
If you try to make them perfect then they won't be. "Over-restored" will be the cry.

So Robin, the transmission noise is still there. I guess they weren't familiar with the rock crusher. They are music to musclecar enthusiast's ears.
 
#9 ·
There is nothing sweeter than the whine of an M-22. :thumbsup:

That razor blade trick is used by good body men all the time. I've seen my dad do it a bunch. However any time I try to do it, I always make things worse. :rolleyes:
 
#11 ·
Question: I have a lot of pictures of my cars on my computer.... So how do I get them from my computer to the T-Chevelle site. I dont have a clue. Just so you folks know. My " Flip Phone" is gone, My wife got me a "I " phone a while back, I wish I still had my flipper.
She is good with stuff, I SUCK at it!
Bob
 
#18 ·
Great story, my brother bought a Black 70' Chevelle also in 1970. Man that was a fun car to do brake stands with.
 
#19 ·
If you would have gotten the ElCo with the LS6 but without AC, it would be gone by now,nice choice.Even though your triple lindy ElCo is a great car, my favorite is your forgery of a 1970 SS wagon.Well Done. :thumbsup:
 
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