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Classic/Antique Car Repair/el camino
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Question
thank you in advance for your help!
I saw an ad for a 1984 v8 el camino, 150,000 miles
I wanted to ask if parts are readily available for this car, and if it is something that can be repaired/serviced easily? Do you think its a bad purchase?
thanks!
Sue, this is what I'd call a "wide open" question.
What are you planning to do with this car--hauler, daily driver, restoration project, show car, gift for another?
What's the price and condition?
Parts are readily available, except for small trim items and some odd stuff like upholstery and floor mats, engine decals, etc.
Any mechanic who knows contemporary cars can service it. Hard to say how "easily" because that's relative to his or your experience, not my own. But this is not a difficult or exotic car by any stretch of the imagination.
So, it comes down to condition and price, and for that take a knowledgeable friend with you when you go to haggle/purchase.
Good luck!
--Paul
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Answers by Expert:
Paul Wilczynski
Expertise
Most questions involving vintage car restoration, mechanical and body, paint and upholstery. Parts sourcing. Extensive experience in wood-bodied station wagons, British and French cars of the '40s through '70s. Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger, Citroen Maserati, VW Beetle, 1955-65 Chevrolet (especially Nomad station wagons), Corvair.
Experience
Wide-ranging and long-term. I owned a restoration shop in the 1970s, continue to dabble in vintage exotics. At one time, had a seven-car collection of contemporary exotics which I had restored and maintained myself.
When I was 18 years old, I designed a woodie kit for the VW Beetle, which I developed into a product which was featured on television and in over 100 magazines and 25 books at last count. I still own and drive one of my creations.
I owned a design and fabrication consultancy from 1982-2002, specializing in show car fabrication for manufacturers including Ford, Mazda, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, etc.
Since 2003, I have been a department manager in Industrial Design, and a full-time instructor in automotive design and fabrication at the university level. My students go on to design automobiles as staff designers for major auto manufacturers worldwide.
Organizations
Western Automotive Journalists, Industrial Design Society of America.
Publications
Long list of magazines and books, including Playboy, VW Trends, VW Greats, Hot VWs, and European automotive magazines.
Education/Credentials
I teach design and fabrication at university level. My education is in Industrial Design, University of Illinois (1966-1970).
Awards and Honors
Many awards for restorations in local concours and shows.
Past/Present Clients
Mazda, Ford, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, Mercedes, Porsche.
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