A Farewell to the ‘Camfather’
February 6, 2026
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
S.U.V.
For the last ten years or so, SUVs have been the buzz in the world of new cars, soccer Moms, and the general motoring public. As a matter of fact, this trend is so strong that automakers from Kia to Porsche have offered myriad variations on the theme, to the point where most of us can’t even begin to name them all. With names ranging from half of a state name to words that don’t mean much of anything (Dakota, Cayenne, Rainier and on and on) the onslaught of SUVs seems to show no sign of slowing down.
Action Packed
While the factory cast-iron four-barrel Q-Jet intake manifolds have performed admirably on literally thousands of GM applications—and if you are picking your engine from a used lot to use in a swap, it will likely be so equipped—every last one of them should be torn off the car and thrown in the dumpster.
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.
