Return to Me

There is something about winning back the love of your life after forty years that tugs at the heartstrings and is the stuff movies are made of. When its about a car and a man, it brings a tear to the eye of the toughest guys. Ron O. owned a ‘59 Chevy El Camino from 1966 to 1968. After he sold it, he still loved that truck. A few years ago he decided to replace it and saw one he wanted. The owner finally sold it to him about four years ago. It had a lot of rust, a ratty interior, faulty wiring and a tired 350 CID Chevy engine, but Ron saw the potential. And it was like the one he had owned. As he began to work on the El Camino it seemed strangely familiar. After doing a title check he found it was none other than his truck of almost forty years before.

Although he had only planned on a doing just enough to make the truck look decent, he then decided to make it ‘60's style cruiser and sent it to a local “professional” restorer. That was a mistake. Thousands of dollars and two years later, he was hauling it home on a trailer with boxes of parts. It was a total botch job. Undaunted, Ron enlisted the help of more reputable people, including fellow Roamin Angels Lee of Lee’s Metal Works for no-longer-available sheet metal panels, Don of Metal Mending for a custom-made grill and Mike C. for mechanical and electrical expertise. The result is fine looking and running El Camino with everything new or improved. With power steering, power front disc brakes and air conditioning, it runs and drives better than ever. But, like the movie “Return to Me,” it still has the heart he fell in love with years ago.

Although he kept the body stock, Ron lowered the truck and used original American mag wheels. From the cowl forward, it is the same as a regular ‘59 Chevy, but from there back it is unique.

The old-style tuck and roll upholstery continues the ‘60's theme, but a tilt wheel was added for comfort and an AM/FM/Cass for good sounds.

This fresh Chevy 350 CID ZZ4 crate engine has plenty of punch and is mated to a 700R four speed/OD trans to give it longer legs. The immaculate engine compartment gleams with chrome and polished aluminum.

©2008 Story by Ron Cherry