Customs Converting an early Impala to an El Camino

Good idea or bad?

 

Kind of looks like an Australian Ute.

 

Looks pretty good. Much better proportions than other coversions. Was this done from a wagon with a sedan rear window?

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That looks like a quality attempt. El Caminos were usually on a longer wheelbase frame and a long door. That one is a "club cab" which throws the proportions off even more

 

Not sure...

My guess would be a sedan.

 

I think it's pretty cool. Needs some chrome trim around the edge of the bed. Maybe has a drop in lid?

 

Needs the longer doors. @choprods here had an awesome one he did out of a 58 at the first HAMB Drags

 

Sorry. Don't like it.

 

Probably a wagon; you can see the remains of the rear door if you look carefully.

 

I believe it was made from a four-door sedan, the rear section of the top was moved forward and the hole in the quarter panels filled in with four-door rear door skins. If it was built from a wagon, there would be the exposed hinges for a tailgate, also on the quarters you can see the weatherstrip channel for the deck lid. FYI, all the cars that year were 119" wheelbase, two-door, four-door, and wagon. Definitely needs trim around the "bed" opening to finish it off.

 

First off, that is not an Impala, it is a Bel Air, based on the trim. And it was a 4-door sedan. Actually, it does not look bad.
Second: 1959/60 El Camino and Biscayne/Bel Air/Impala shared the same wheelbase 119".
Are asking if the car pictured is a good idea or you are contemplating such a conversion and if it is a good idea in general?

 

Four doors get a bad rap.. I am guilty of knocking them as parts cars.

This appears to be a "good" use/conversion for an early Impala/Biscayne/Bel Air sedan.

It maybe a future project as these cars can be affordable.

 

Reminds me of the shortened "clown cars" Something about the proportions being odd.

 

Don't look right to me.

 

I think the roof is too long and the bed too short. It is hard to get the proportions right on these conversions

 

Nope, do over

 

I think using the long doors and trim from a 2 door would have nailed it

 

Should of removed the two back windows, that's what doesn't look right to me anyhow..

 

Belair or Biscuit not impala. But full size anyway.

I don't dislike it at all but my opinion and a buck gets you a small fries someplace or other. My only real observation of any value is that Elkys don't have quarter windows.

 

Kenny aka @choprods has not been here in about 4 years. He built these

 

It's my favorite color for a'61...I've had three that color and others. I was disappointed that GM didn't carry the line through the x-frame years. Not too badly done but as other have said, a long door and no quarter windows and a rear widow and bed trim from an earlier car would make a hit. Unfortunately the hard to get parts would slow the conversion down and drive to cost upwards. Getting it to look factory would be my goal. Many years ago a pal of mine did the same conversion on a '73 Cutlass. It was killer! He and I later did a Nomad conversion on a '55 Plymouth two door sedan body. Wish I had some pictures.

 

And the tail lights.
I think @Moriarity is slipping!

 

Impalas have 3 tail lights per side.

 

Nope

This car does exist

 

Did you day utes?
Ah, the classics never die.

 

Not bad.....not bad at all........

 

Haven’t put an eye on it.. Car is for sale..

What is the issue with the door gap? Seems like a typical (well done) Frankenstein stitch of the rear section of the car.