MR. OCTOBER’S CAMARO
October 18, 2024
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
How to Choose a Camshaft
Would you believe that one of these cams could provide an extra 200 hp to your combination? It’s true. Actually, the truth is that the installation of a stock cam will cost you as much as 200 hp.
Tasty Taillights
If you are building a street rod, sooner or later you will have to select the taillights you want to use. As with so many other parts, the taillights should match the style of the car you are building. A smooth, high-tech rod should have taillights of the same style, perhaps flush-fit diode lights that match the shape of the body. If you are building a resto rod, the stock taillights are generally used, stalk and all. Internally they can be updated with bright bulbs or a diode kit. If you are building a nostalgic or a traditional rod, there are several different lights that were used by builders in the ’50s and the ’60s. The rod seen in this story is being built in a traditional style, so there were many lights to choose from.
Bobby-Built
We always find it amusing when a bench racing session turns to building street rods. It seems there is a huge contingency of rodders and observers of street rodding who believe that every car in the fairgrounds area was built by a professional shop. We’re not about to argue the point that a lot of people now pay to have work done on their cars, whether it’s chassis work, bodywork or upholstery. However, there is still a large group of people who spend evenings and weekends out in the garage forming brackets, repairing rust, blocking panels and wiring hot rods. In short, they are building cars the old-fashioned way—at home with the help of a few friends.
Spotlighter
Star Quality Elky
Gentleman Jim’s Purple-Flamed ’71 El Camino
This purple-flamed ’71 El Camino is but one of a number of outstanding street rods and street machines residing in movie executive Jim Brubaker’s impressive muscle car collection in Universal City, California. And believe us, it is really nice!
Author
Bob McClurg
Story & Photography
The Build Team: Dennis McCarthy and Crew
Brubaker’s El Camino was built by car builder Dennis McCarthy, along with some able-bodied help from son John Brubaker, friend Dennis DeWaay, and North Hollywood’s Jack’s Auto Body.
Chassis and Running Gear: Setting Up the Foundation
Getting into the particulars of this classic light-duty hauler, McCarthy set up the El Camino’s chassis and running gear by starting with the installation of a 12-bolt Chevelle Positraction rearend. The rear is equipped with 3.31:1 gears, rides on a Hotchkis four-link rear suspension equipped with a Hotchkis rear anti-sway bar, and is dampened by a pair of KYB gas-charged shocks. Rear braking comes from a pair of Wilwood Engineering cross-drilled and slotted rotors, activated by a Wilwood master cylinder and a Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation power brake booster.
Front Suspension and Braking: Precision and Performance
Up front, Brubaker’s El Camino utilizes a pair of Global West tubular front A-arms, complete with Global West’s exclusive Del-A-Lum front suspension bushings, a Hotchkis front anti-sway bar, KYB gas-charged shocks, and a Lee quick-ratio steering box. Front braking is again courtesy of the Wilwood Engineering folks, while the wheels and tires consist of 18×8-inch front and 18×9-inch rear Colorado Custom billet wheels wrapped with P245/45xZR18 front and sticky P275/45xZR18 rear Nitto Extreme radial rubbers.
Powertrain: A Balanced Blend of Power and Reliability
Powering this beauty is a mostly stock ’98 GM Performance Parts 350cid TPI crate engine, outfitted with a set of March Performance engine pulleys, a Street & Performance engine dress-up kit, a K&N air filter, and thermal-coated Doug’s Headers exiting the spent gasses through a pair of Flowmaster three-chamber mufflers. Engine cooling is handled by a Be Cool four-core aluminum radiator, which is cleverly concealed beneath a McCarthy-fabricated anodized aluminum trim panel. Backing up the 350 is a Burbank Transmissions-prepared GM 700R4, equipped with a TransGo shift kit. The final link in the El Camino’s powertrain is an Inland Empire custom-fabricated driveshaft.
Paint and Bodywork: Diamond Purple Perfection
As previously mentioned, the outstanding paint and bodywork, including the shaved door handles and a relocated gas filler door, were handled by North Hollywood’s Jack’s Auto Body. Then, the crew at Jack’s painted the El Camino inside and out in a BASF three-stage Diamond Purple base, offset by some eye-pleasing lighter purple ghost flames and protected by lots of clearcoat.
Interior: Luxurious and Tasteful Craftsmanship
Inside, Gentleman Jim’s El Camino features some tasteful imported Mercedes Benz tan leather stitch work, courtesy of Jerry Neon. Also along for the ride is Mercedes tan wool carpeting, a matching tan leather-wrapped Colorado Custom billet steering wheel, Auto Meter instruments, and an Alpine audio system.
Awards and Recognition: A Show-Stopping El Camino
A member of the Night Hawks Car Club of San Fernando Valley, California, Brubaker’s ’71 El Camino has captured more than 10 trophies at various shows, including Best in Class, Best Interior, and Best Paint, providing proof that this El Camino is a real stunner.
