MyStarCollectorCar has encountered the term Covid project several times since the world was shut down for it 5 years ago.
It was a time when car guys decided to do something in their garage during the legislated isolation and do (or finish) a project.
In Tony Sacher’s case, his project was a 1960 El Camino that was originally slated to be a patina car (no body or paint restoration) for his wife, Collette.
Jim Sutherland
Instead, Tony decided to bring the El Camino’s exterior up to a high standard of excellence during the Covid timeout and we at MyStarCollectorCar believe he more than met his goal because the El Camino’s two-tone paint job and brightwork are second to none in our opinion.
However, the most radical changes in the 1960 El Camino are hidden under that shiny restored metal. The El Camino’s original powertrain was a modest 230 straight-six coupled to a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, but Tony had a different plan.
He bought an LS7 crate engine and tore it down because Tony wanted everything to be perfect for his Elky project. He used a 4L80-EHD GM automatic transmission because it could handle the massive horsepower to the Dana rear end and deliver efficient performance along the way.
The big power boost necessitated a custom frame that could handle the extra herd of horses, along with a Corvette add-on suspension and brake system, so it would handle like it was on rails and stop on a dime. Tony told MyStarCollectorCar “it drives like a Corvette” with all the engineering upgrades.
Moreover, the El Camino’s upgrades also include creature comforts like power steering, power windows, power brakes, power door locks, and even air conditioning. Tony was able to disguise the AC vents on the car’s dash and make them look like they were a factory installation.
Tony told MyStarCollectorCar the 1960 Chevy El Camino’s original bench seat was recovered in leather and now it delivers both elegance and comfort for passengers.
As mentioned earlier, the Elky was a Covid project because Tony and his car buddies had plenty of time to work on the car project, but it has been a long road to completion, even with the Covid factor.
In fact, Tony has invested about 7000 hours in the project over nine years by his calculations to get his El Camino resto mod project to the finish line. He added it was a 2-year project “just to get rid of the dings in the bright work”, in his words. The entire process “had its trials and tribulations” in Tony’s words.
It was worth the effort for Tony because he has fond memories of the car from many years ago when his daughter rode in it with the former owner since they were also family friends. This reason alone was enough for Tony to leap at the opportunity to buy the ’60 El Camino when it became available to him.
The 1960 Chevy El Camino inspired Tony to do great things during the resto mod process, and he clearly reached his goal. Congratulations on a job very well done to Tony and his car buddies.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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