The years passed and I still loved the El Camino and here is where the story begins for the second time. While looking for a larger vehicle for my DJ business The thought was a van or SUV one day on the way into work there on the side of an auto repair garage I spotted an El Camino and in the windshield a for sale sign. Unfortunately I did not have time to stop but thought I will stop on the way home check it out and take some pictures on my HTC Hero to show my wife. After work the car was moved to the front of the mechanic shop I took some pics on my phone and could not resist calling the number expecting to hear a dollar amount no where near what I had saved I still called. The gentleman selling the car did not really want to let it go but because of the state of the economy the issues on Wall Street he had to sell something and the El Camino was it and it was in my price range, spoke to my wife about it and made plans to look at it on Saturday. We took it for a test drive and the gentleman who owned the Shop drove because it had no tag and well I did not want a ticket, the car ran great and even broke traction in second gear. I had to have this car, unfortunately the El Camino also ran out of gas and we coasted it back onto the lot of the mechanic shop. I called the owner of the El Camin0 and told him I would leave a deposit and return on Tuesday to pick up the El Camino with cash.
It was along weekend and Monday seemed to drag on but Tuesday arrived and we made the 50 mile drive to the El Camino, When we arrived the El Camino would not start so after a few minutes with the Mechanic and the owner and a new Battery she started up we exchanged cash for title and I was ready to go until the engine flooded and it would not start the Mechanic and now previous owner came out we looked and tried to get it to run but then the starter seemed to not be making full turns and there was a whine coming from the starter, The owner and Mechanic said they would get it running I said ok but I cant pick it up now till Saturday I cant take anymore time from Work, they said it would be running that day, needless to say I heard nothing back that day and when calling the guy I bought the El Camino from he said to talk to the mechanic who said I though I had till Saturday to get it running. Saturday came and no call from the Mechanic, so I called him and he said I don’t know what it is keys are under the front seat. I know right that sucked, I have already paid for it and you guys said you would get it running and now everyone gave up, I called the guy I bought it from not to ask for the money back but to ask now what am I supposed to do I cant get it home, He called back a short time later and he and the mechanic paid to have it towed to 50 miles to my house.
I felt ripped off and sad but my Wife told me the car means a lot to you your mom had one so now you will feel like she is still here and you have always wanted one we will find a way to get it where you want it to be.
We have heard from several people it could be the motor locked, It could be the starter burned up and it could just be a bad wire to the starter a far cry from the excuse I got from the mechanic where I bought it who told me it did this because it was flooding out. Guess we will find out as I start to tear into this car. There is a lot I need to do and want to do with it but lets start with getting my Camino running and then we can move on to the body work and the interior.
We lost my mother October 24, 2009 to a brain bleed she passed peacefully in her sleep. My mother did for others her entire life as long has I can remember she was taking someone in or being a mother to someone, I remember Bike Weeks in Daytona, she would pack extra food when she went to the Cabbage Patch in case one of her many biker friends from all over the country did not bring enough food for the week. There was the time one of her co-workers was dying of aids and had no family but mom took care of them till their last day, My mother was a waitress has long as I can remember the most recent was with Denny’s in Orlando where she worked at Denny’s Lee Road and the one on Highway 50 anyone who knows her will remember her has Sam. She was hurt at work and for many years she was on workers comp and lost touch with friends and was unable to return to the job and company she loved.
My happiest memories has a child were going to Disney, Knox berry Farm, Marriott’s Great America ,San Francisco, or cruising San Jose with mom in her El Camino. That is where my love for the El Camino Started.
I guess that is why my El Camino is so important to me. She needs a lot of work and I am not experienced at Automobile restoration, nor am I rich so this will be a long process. Unfortunately Chip Foose with OverHaulin will never come to my small town to fix up my old car and I doubt Xibit or the GAS Crew from Pimp my Ride will ever knock on my door so, If you want to support me in my cause and to maybe show my family why I love this car and maybe pass that love on to my son please purchase items you need from my affiliates or advertisers.
