Finally at the destination

Yesterday was the day that my El Camino finally arrived at the garage. The container arrived a month ago to the Finland and it took a few days to reach to a shipping company lot in the Hämeenlinna. After that it took about 3-4 days to be customs clearance and after I had paid the customs fee and taxes, it was ready to pick up. Now, then it became a quite long wait to find one that could deliver my El Camino from Hämeenlinna to my home. 

When I found on trucking company that would do it, then it became trivial for trucking company to find the right date for pick-up and deliver it. Finally, we had a date, and yesterday I got the call from the trucking company that he has left my El Camino a nearby earth moving company lot, since he had used a trailer rig with a several other cars, he couldn't drive into my small yard. 

I was so excited that I had to take a video when I was coming home from work that I have my impression recorded at the first sighting..

Then I had to take my dog for a walk and of course we went straight back to the El Camino.

First things first. My inspector checking the undercarriage. 

The bed comes with some stuff. 

I guess that is one way to make sure the car goes straight, ish.

Oh, that's what my inspector was checking under the car.

After this I went to sauna and thought about how I get the El Camino that last quarter mile to home.

That would be slowest quarter mile time for this El Camino, ever.

ETA delayed part 5

So, the container got over the big pond and arrived in the Rotterdam port on the 7th of the November and the next ship changed a few times, but last Sunday the container loaded on the SKALAR, which will carry the container to the Finland.

Now, it should arrive today in Helsinki Port. At the moment of writing this post, it is just off the shores of the Estonia.

Now, I am getting excited. There is a lot to do at my garage, but even if the container arrived today at Helsinki port, I won't be getting it for some time, since I expect that customs check it out, then it will be shipped to Import company's lot in Hämeenlinna and then I have to pay the custom fee and taxes, arrange pick up from the Hämeenlinna to Köyliö. 

Much to do before I get my hands on my El Camino.

ETA delayed part 4

 

Okay, the container is at least in the same continent that I am. Now it just have to move from Rotterdam to Helsinki, which is 1550 km a part. 

And the next ship to carry the container is called: MUNKSUND, which is right now 33 nautical miles away for the Rotterdam port.

Now, the container should have been in Finland back in early September and it was delayed till October and then till early November, actually yesterday was the previous arrival date, but it is now due to arrive in 17th of the November.

And as I was writing this, I noticed that the ship has changed again. It is no more MUNKSUND.

It is SKALAR. Which has just departed from Kotka port, and is heading to NLRTM VIA NOK(?), where it should arrive on 11th of the November.

Man things change quite fast. At least I got some extra time to clear my garage and make it ready for the El Camino!

ETA delayed part 3

Well, now, for a few days it seemed that the ship hasn't moved since there was no position data available. But suddenly it appeared on the other side of the Panama canal. It stayed there for a day and is going through the canal as I am writing this.

So the container is on the Atlantic by the time you read this. This has been a new and fascinate thing to follow for me. You can also see a track on the map. From ship last position, which in this case is Rodman, Panama through the canal to Colón, Panama.

The ship should arrive on the this side of the big pond in Rotterdam, Netherland in 27th of the October.

But first it's next port is Cartagena, Colombia, on the 10th of this month.

Well, I''ll be keeping my eye on this journey.
 

ETA delayed part 2

I've been notified that the container that holds my Chevrolet El Camino was taken by U.S. Custom out of the ship, to inspect the cargo. This delayed the container for six weeks.

So, now ETA is in November. At this pace the El Camino will arrive sometime in the spring of 2023.

Not that I am in hurry or anything, but at least I have more time to prep up  my garage.

I am thinking of a lift.

ETA delayed

So, the container that holds my El Camino departed the Long Beach harbour in the 28th of the July and at the time the ETA was the 12th of the September. I haven't really checked where the vessel is, but today I checked, to know how much the it is delayed. At the time of writing this, it is delayed to the 26th of the September. Two weeks delayed. And from the original ETA it is now four weeks delayed.

Then I noticed that the vessel has been changed on 13th of the August. This vessel, NYK Romulus, is now near southern Mexico. Destination CTG, aka Cartagena, Colombia. 

I am not worried, since I am still middle of moving in and I need to clean and organize the garage. Friend of mine made few additional shelf brackets, that are going to be welded in the garage wall support beams. Now, I am not planning on putting heavy items on the shelves, but as the previous owner had made, I just follow that. So, every shelf is identical and I don't need to think about which shelf is "weaker". 

YouTube Channel

 I've had this YouTube channel for ages and I did try to post my project videos, of the El Camino that owned back then. Now that I am the owner of a "new" El Camino, I thought that I resurrect this channel and try to keep it active. 

Now, I've got videos from my guy in the California about these two El Caminos that I wrote earlier, first one and the second one.

I bought the first one. The seller transported it from the Nevada to Los Angels, as he has some business to attend there. So, my El Camino is waiting at the shipping company's lot in LA harbour somewhere.

But back to the YouTube channel, I am publishing few short videos in a Bying Pants On-playlist from my guy as he scouted the El Caminos and after it was transported to the shipping company's lot in the LA harbour. 

Current ETA is around mid September, that the shipping container will arrive Finland and shipping company's lot in Hämeenlinna. 

Actually I did purchase the El Camino back in the May, but as I was busy with buying a house with garage did take my time and while being on vacation too. 

Please subscribe, if you like to keep up with the project!

Buying pants are on part 4

 So, this is the other El Camino at the lot in Nevada.

Also 1970 model year, but missing some parts.

Well, basically whole front end is backed in the bed, but at least hood is missing and the engine.

Some parts are in the bed, but still this might be too much work to get road worthy.

This is also "true SS 396" El Camino, but this doesn't have the title, the seller is waiting it to arrive from DMW.

Asking price is $5000, but still for in this condition, even if it is "true SS", it might be too much. For me anyways.

Bench seat, but round gauges is a good sign. 

Power windows! Well, that made this, as an interesting subject. Okay, the interior is a bit better condition in this one than the other one, but exterior is a bit more work in this one. I'm told that the seller made an offer $10,000 for both.

I don't really know. Both needs work, but I could get the other as spare parts car.

Although there is a 1971 El Camino for sale in Finland that is a project, just needs put together. For 4500€.

Now, I need to check that out, not as get that in driving condition, since it is 1971 model year, but if I could use it as a parts car for one of these?

I guess I need to take a road trip to check out that 1971 El Camino.

Buying pants are on part 3

 I found interesting listing through Facebook Marketplace and the only downside was that it was located in Nevada, quite a long way from the Los Angeles, where my guy is operating. But it was enough interesting that I send him to scout out the cars. Yes, cars. There were two 1970 El Caminos for sale.

Alleged it is true SS, but there is no way to verify this, unless there is somewhere hidden build sheet with the options. Although many things point in that direction.

This is a complete project car, no question about it, but the price is also in that range. Asking price is $6500.

Now, I know I thought about daily driver, then again if this is true SS El Camino, it would great project.

A lot of surface rust, but my guy tested all the usual spots with magnet and there isn't any bondo.

Okay, one of the easiest way to fake SS is to put emblem on the grille.

The engine is 396, which is one of those clues about being true SS. And the Cowl Induction seal for the carburetor.

Cowl Induction flap and domed hood, with the now faded SS-stripes. More clues.

Now, this is getting interesting, round gauges, which of course could have bought for non-SS El Camino, but steering wheel has a SS-emblem, center console, which means bucket seats.

"The Bucket Seats". Well, I haven't seen that kind of bucket seats as original, but then again, this is "True SS". 

I have been on my summer vacation whole this month and I had a lot of time to make this post, but enjoying first time whole month summer vacation, has made my mind go mañana. 

Okay, there is this thing that I looked at a house, a couple actually, but finally made an offer and the seller accepted it! So, I have done a lot of things for it and we make the final deal on few days. It's an old house with about 2000 m² (0,5 acre) plot, which has a separate garage. Of course.

Now, I'll be posting a new post soon, about that second El Camino that my guy also scouted in the same lot.

Enjoy the Summer!

Buying pants are on part 2

I was driving around in Tampere region and I remembered that there was a 1972 El Camino for sale in Sastamala. Even thought it wasn't the year I was looking for but I decided to take a look at it.

Colour is kind of blah, but you don't see that kind of colour in most of the El Caminos in the Finland. 

Reminds me of those stories where the car is painted what ever is left over. 

Price was at 9800€, a bit below average, what El Camino sell for in here.

Interior is in pretty good condition. 

Bed is in a good condition too. This use to have that tarp bed cover, as you can see from those fasteners. And old school style. I had those same in my 1972 El Camino. 

It is powered by a 305 CID small block engine and TH350. Power steering and -brakes. Headers and an old school  valve covers give a nice little touch on this combo.

By the time I wrote this, this has been sold. Or at least it's not listed anymore on nettiauto.com.

Oh, well, it was the wrong year anyways.