My work in progress 1957 “Bel-Camino”

Posted by lifter_34@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 42 comments

My 1957 “Bel-Camino” started life as a rusty 4-door ’57 wagon. Since then, it’s been converted into a 2-door with a narrowed ’59 El Camino roof and bed rails, finished with a 1.5” chop top.

It’s already got a disc brake conversion up front and lowering blocks in the rear, and the plan is likely an LM7 and 4L60e.

Started this build during my junior year of high school, but life, time, and money pushed it onto the back burner for a while. Finally getting back on the project and excited to see this thing come to life.

Last picture shows the starting point, have lots of in progress photos, if you’d like to see I’d be happy to share!

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Ready_Comparison6438@reddit

I'm not entirely sure what you had in mind, but I let AI do a rendering, and this is what it came up with.

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yama_knows_karma@reddit

This is honestly one of the coolest things I have seen on here. I love the old-school Chevy Bel Airs and this is one of the coolest modifications I have seen. Please continue posting your progress.

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trivletrav@reddit

As much of a slut I am for a wagon, I do love it. Great work

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C137MrPoopyButthole@reddit

I hated that a wagon had to go for this to exist but that rear picture makes it look like it was ment to be. I wish it could be finished with the round glass that the original elco had and it would be mint for the period.

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Zealousideal_Two8571@reddit

I am mad that you cut up a nice saveable wagon but I have to admit it looks pretty awesome.

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broverlander@reddit

On one hand I’m upset you cut up that awesome wagon.

On the other hand, hell yeah brother

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Kip-ft@reddit

This thing needs the candiest of candy paint imaginable. Keep up the good work sir

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hardknocksannie@reddit

Baller!

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biner1999@reddit

I absolutely love the silhouette.

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Desert-Egirl@reddit

I commend you! I actually really like this build lol. Honestly I find it so cool that you still kept that project in mind and got to work on it again. I'm excited to see where it goes.

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1HD-FTE@reddit

Love it. But i wouldn't lower the rear, rather try to give it the old school truck 'stinkbug' by lifting the back 1".

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lifter_34@reddit (OP)

It shouldn’t look as squatted once it’s done, it has no engine or anything in the bay currently, I’m going for a low cruiser look. However, if it’s dragging in the rear I’ll end up lifting it back up

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PVTSprinkles@reddit

kinda sad you cut up a nomad but this is actually kinda sick and unique

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lifter_34@reddit (OP)

It’s actually not a nomad, it’s a 4 door converted to a 2 door. Chevy didn’t make a 4 door nomad in 57. What I cut up is far less desirable

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Redmistseeker@reddit

Cut up a nomad a legit 150k car to make a shit el Camino

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lifter_34@reddit (OP)

Not a nomad but so close

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MikeForShort@reddit

That's awesome!

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aredd007@reddit

Oddball builds are cool. What’s the plan for rear windshield glass?

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lifter_34@reddit (OP)

I’ll likely end up going with plexiglass for the rear, the front windshield is the stock one the car came with, just cut down to fit with a cutoff wheel.

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