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1981 Chevy El Camino
Hayesville, NC

1981Chevrolet El Camino owned by Steve Byers from Hayesville, NC This car was the winner in the automobile category of the 2008 Christmas Parade in Hayesville, that was sponsored by the Clay County Progress.

Their car is a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino that they purchased in early 2007 from his friend Frank in Brasstown, NC. He didn’t particularly like the stock look or the color of the car, but after he drove it he was sold on it. He has built several other cars, but not one like this. It took him and his uncle, Thomas Byers of Byers Auto Paint and Restoration, on Carter Cove Road, about a year of part time work to complete the project.

Frank started the project, which had a V-6 motor that was removed and replaced with a new 350 c.i. street performance short block crate motor direct from GM. A pair of ported and polished heads, with larger values was installed. The top end was completed with an Edelbrock Aluminum intake manifold with a Quadrajet 750 carburetor. Exhaust is through a pair of Hooker Headers exiting through a custom 2 ¼ inch exhaust system. The 330 horsepower is put to the road through a ’94 Pontiac TransAm 6-speed close ratio transmission and the 3:73 gear ratio differential.

Frank installed all new heavy duty front and rear suspension. A Hotchkis NASCAR style drag link system was installed on the rear for strength and stability. This system is designed to prevent wheel hop on cars with excessive horsepower and light weight back ends. The car is equipped with heavy duty disc brakes up front and drum brakes on the rear. The front tires are 235X60R15 and the rear are 255X65R15 all mounted on Corvette Rally Wheels.

Some front and rear body parts purchased from Choo Choo Customs in Chattanooga were changed to dress up the looks of the car. The custom effects give the car a more individualized personal look. Sun white faced pro gauges replaced the stock gauges, and Frank had the bench seat remolded and reupholstered to fit around the shifter, which sits farther back than a standard four speed transmission shifter. The paint is Torch Red by Dimensions Paint.