Garys Rods and Restorations built 1970 Chevy El Camino SS

Heading into the early '90s, Rich was still on his original quest to build a road-handling ride. "I found a company called HO Racing that offered handling packages for GM A-bodies," Rich states. "I had to have it all, and when I looked into big brake packages, I thought I'd be able to convert the current system using NASCAR racing brake parts, but I bit off more than I could chew and progress on the car stalled."

Rich held onto the car along with numerous boxes of N.O.S. sheetmetal and shuffled it all from carports to neighbors' garages and rental homes before he was able buy a house in 1997 where the parts sat in the garage and the car on jackstands until 2009. At that point, Rich was able to get it to a local shop with the intention of installing a cantilever suspension and an LS engine. Apparently the Elco was low on that shop's priority list, so it sat with very little progress until 2018 when it was rescued by Gary George of Gary's Rods and Restorations in Watsonville, California. "Thankfully Gary took pity on my project," Richard reveals. "I explained my vision to Gary, and with his suggestions we devised a plan to get the car where it is today.

Under Gary's watch the El Camino received a stroked LS3 dolled up in classic Chevrolet valve covers and a matching Holley air filter that sits atop an Accufab Racing throttle body and Holley port injection intake manifold. The LS coils were relocated under a pair of custom covers and do so without hiding the engine's muscular aura. A Vintage Air front runner drive system spins a Powermaster alternator and Vintage Air A/C system.

Spent fuel escapes via a pair of Stainless Works headers and Gary's custom-fabricated 3-inch stainless exhaust, while a set of Borla mufflers allow the 550hp LS to announce an aggressive tone coinciding with the car's powerful appearance.

A TREMEC Magnum six-speed transmission is backed by a McLeod twin-disc clutch and provides Rich the opportunity to shift on his terms—not a pre-determined rpm range offered by an automatic. The ensemble enables tactful launches, high-rpm gear changes, and excellent street manners while sending power to a Strange Engineering Fab9 rearend via the South Bay Driveline driveshaft.

Underneath, the frame behind the driver's compartment was modified to make room for the double-rail section and trick cantilever suspension system armed with Fox coilover shocks with remote reservoirs. Up front Global West lower control arms work with SPC adjustable upper control arms dampened by Fox coilover shocks with remote reservoirs bolted to the frame tubing.

Race Line wheels are wrapped in asphalt-gripping Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, which puts the high-end suspension system to task. A set of Baer brakes offer excellent performance braking to bring this beast down from speed forthwith.

The interior's period-correct looks include a stock dash fitted with stock-appearing, high-tech Dakota Digital gauges. Digging in further reveals a collection of custom 3-D - printed bits designed with classic GM style combined with modern overtones. The floors are foamed and contoured to hide the lower rollbar supports for a more continuous flow. DJ Designs is responsible for modifying the Procar by Scat seat frames then stitched on the black leather upholstery, which jives perfectly with the Black Daytona carpet. Paying attention to detail, Danny at DJ's employed magnetic panels voiding the use of screws for a clean appearance. The Vintage Air A/C system keeps Rich cool on those hot summer days.

Finally able to utilize all the N.O.S. sheetmetal Rich had been holding onto for years, it all looks right at home showcasing the brilliant Axalta Viper Red paint and GM 10 White rally hood stripes. But what really sets this car apart is the hand-fabricated bed cover. The piece sends Rich's Elco to the next level while at the same time flaunting the talent and skill embodied by the crew at Gary's. Going that extra mile gives Rich's car a unique look all its own.

Rich confesses he's yet to put extensive miles on the car but marks winning First in Class at the 2023 Grand National Roadster show as a major highlight thus far. "As soon as the car is dialed in and all tuned up, I look forward to taking it on long trips and local cruises," Rich says. "Having owned this car for as long as I have, it's absolutely amazing to see what the crew at Gary's Rods and Restorations were able to accomplish with this car/truck. This thing has been with me for a very long time, so finally having my vision of a road-handling El Camino come to fruition is amazing. I can't thank Gary and his team enough for making this all happen, and doing so way beyond my wildest expectations.