1970 Chevy El Camino
OK, so you want to know why I want an El Camino...no....well I
am telling you anyway.
When I was only about 8 years old, Ratt and I (I say Ratt and
I) built a 1972 Chevy El Camino. I
know I didn't do much and was in the way more than anything, but I enjoyed
sitting under the hood and getting dirty. I have always loved working with my
hands and I have learned so much watching and helping Ratt work on so many
vehicles through the years. (some for fun and some because we had to.) The El
Camino was the first and has always held a special place in my mind. I remember
everything from the engine build to the paint job. I also remember the first
good ride we took too. We went off the shell road and onto the blacktop road
sideways and took off like a race car! I was in loving it... even when the seats
fell over because they were not bolted in yet. The fan belt broke and we had to
cut the ride short and return home. We kept the car for a while. As I remember
it, Ratt gave the car to our neighbors when we lived in Anniston, AL. He did
this in trade for them keeping up with our furniture and bicycles when we were
moving back to Louisiana. When returning to get our things, everything and the
neighbors were gone. Yep, we lost it all and the El Camino. Sense then I have
always wanted to find that car and give it back to Ratt. He had already
sacrificed so much and has always provided for our family. Finding that car I
know is impossible so I figured I would find a similar car and build it back
just like the one we had, or maybe a little better. Well, I am now 36 and have
stumbled across this little jewel. The car we had was a 1972. This car is a
1970. It has the same type automatic transmission and a 350 small block engine
just like we built way back then. I have often talked with my son about the El
Camino that my Dad, Ratt, and I built. I have intensions of building another car just like it
with him. Well, the day has come. While reading a local paper and enjoying a big
bowl of ice cream I stumbled across the ad for this car. The next day I called
about it and with Tera's blessings, we loaded up the family and went to Acworth,
GA and checked it out in person. It was just as he described. After a little
negotiation, as always, we had a deal. With Tera and Megan behind us, Brendan
and I drove it home. I intended to keep it a secret until it was done, then
drive it to Wedowee and show it to Ratt. Tera knows what it means to me and
could see in my face how excited I was and said "you know you can't stand it, so
go on and call Ratt". I said "nope, I want to wait till it's done", as I picked
up the phone and dialed his number. She was right, I couldn't stand it and had
to tell him about it. That's ok too because most of what the car was about was
us building it together and I want us to build this one together too with my
son. Brendan is almost as excited as I am and can't wait to get started.
| Before | After |
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Now for the rest
of the story. I have been able to keep it a secret from Ratt for over 20+ years
now, but I have always wanted to give him the El Camino back. I knew one day
that it would happen. Here is the story:
I told everyone and I am surprised that no one told him. Ratt
and I even went to Gulfport, MS for the big car show, Cruisin' the Coast and I
was able to keep it to myself. I wanted to tell him so bad, but I knew I would
regret it. Everybody was eager to help just because it was
for Ratt. I think they were as excited as I was. I got help from lots of people.
Some was verbal advice, some was helpful in locating parts, some came over and
helped sand, weld, put in the windshield, helped set up my "paint booth" and
some just gave moral support when my back and arms got to hurting or when I got
frustrated and wanted to give up. I wanted Ratt to be involved and be a part of
the build just for old times sake. I did avoid him and made excuses when it got
close to completion so that way it would be a better surprise.
I do want to thank a couple people personally for having a
huge part in being able to get this car done by Christmas. First and foremost I
need to thank my wife, Tera. I know it had to be hard to do without me for so
long because I am such a wonderful person. I spent much time in my shop and I
spent much money on parts and I spent much time soaking in a hot tub and took
much pain pills. She often asked for me to not push too hard and worried about
how much I was doing, but she never stopped me because she knew how much this
meant to me. Knowing that I had her support and backing me made it easier.
A guy that has never even met Ratt used to teach auto body
classes. His name is Barry and he now sales me chemicals and shop supplies. He
has giving me lots of advice and tips on the painting process. I bought all the
stuff to color sand and buff the car after I got it painted. I have to admit
that after I got it painted I was nervous to sand and buff it. Barry said he
would go to my house and give me some "How to" tips. Barry and I meet at my
house after we both worked all day. One thing after another and Barry said "well
Dallas, are you ready to do this" and I looked at him crazy and said "sure, lets
do it". So we got after it and 8 hours later (at 3:30 in the morning) we
finished. I couldn't believe how long it took, but it should have actually been
about a 2 day job so it wasn't so bad. Then we took a nap and had to go to work
again.
My nephew Tony was an instrumental part in the build too. He
drove up from Macon many times to help me. He now knows how to sand blast an old
car. Even though he sand blasted some of the glass it is ok. He did a great job
and worked hard. He even came out with a friend of his at 11 o'clock at night
one weekend. They did everything I asked and never complained. We would work
till over into the morning hours and when I couldn't go anymore and went in the
house, they would go ride the dune buggies and 4 wheeler. I don't know where
they got the energy. I hate that he couldn't make it for the big revile because
he had to work, but I am thankful that he made the time to get-R-done.
My brother, Clifford also busted his butt on this car too.
Cliff is a Police office and works 11 at night till 7 in the morning. So his
time was limited. When I could work on the car he couldn't and when he could
work on the car I couldn't. But I will say this... when we did get there
together we got allot done. In one night we worked from about 5:30 till about
6:30 the next morning. He was able to paint all the black under the hood and the
front-end, install the fender extensions, headlights and grill, put on the front
and rear bumpers and cleaned and polished chrome parts that couldn't be
replaced. I couldn't have done it without this man. Like all my life he was
there to pick me up, dust me off and lend me a hand in a time of need and made
me look good.
Also I need to thank my son, Brendan. He has heard about this
car his entire life and he was there when I found it in the paper. He was there
beside me when I drove it home and he was there beside me almost every step of
the way. I hope he enjoyed it and it sticks in his mind and heart all his life
just as the original project stuck with me. I am sure it will because he is so
much like me. He is fascinated with the process and seeing it come together.
Knowing it was for his Grandpa Ratt and knowing what it meant to me, he was very
excited to see it through. Lots of people were involved and not the first person
asked for a single dime. They were just happy to help out because it was for
Ratt and they wanted to be a part of it. Thank you to everyone that made this
happen.
Today was the day and I have made up some story about needing
Ratt to help me fix the head lights. I drove the car to his house in Wedowee as
the family sat and waited for my arrival. It wasn't the greatest weather due to
the cold and rain, but it worked out ok. Brendan and I drove the El Camino as
Tera and Megan followed us. It was like driving to victory lane. It was the
longest hour dive of my life knowing that something I have wanted for all these
years was almost complete. I have had over 20 years to think of what I wanted to
say to Ratt and when the time came I drew a blank. I think it turned out better
anyway. It went something like this: "Ratt, I don't know if I want to hit you or
hug you for inspiring me to build this car. I remember building it and soaking
up the details like a sponge. I remember building the 350 small block, the body
work the painting and the first drive. I have always been impressed by your
ability to do almost anything. Not just building cars, but in life. I have
always been impressed by you and your leadership. You married Mom with 4
children when you were very young. You always worked and you always did what
ever it took to provide. When times got rough and most men, as others did, took
off. You hung in there and did what you had to to pull us all through. I never
called you Dad or Daddy because others have ruined that title and I felt you
were more than that. When I was young I asked Grandpa Pate why military people
saluted and said Sir all the time. He let me know that a salute was to let
someone know that you are aware of their presence and "Sir" was to show respect.
Well, Sir" as I saluted him. "you didn't serve in the military, but I am very
aware of you presence. I am so proud of you and who you are in my life. I know
you sacrificed so much and I would like to give you a little of that back." I
took the El Camino keys out of my pocket and handed them to him. " I want to
give you this car, it is yours. Yours to keep and not have to give up again.
Yours to enjoy and be proud of. I love you Sir and thanks for all you do"
That may have not been word for word, but it is close. The
point is that it was done. Done with pride, heart and thinking of Ratt the
entire way. As I painted on the glove box, it is all about the "MEMORIES".
[Here are some pictures as the car was
when I bought it] [Here are some
pictures of when I gave "Sir" the car]
This project is huge and
these pages are getting bigger and bigger so I broke them into sections.
Click on each lick below to see the progress.
Engine
Body
Interior
Reassembly