My name is Dean Jenkins, and I’ve been passionate about cars—especially hot rods and classic Chevys—for as long as I can remember. My first real hot rod was a 1963 Impala SS I bought in 1978 with money I earned working at a full-service gas station doing lube jobs, tune-ups, and tire repairs. That Impala was my high school ride, and it ignited a lifelong love of building and driving classic cars.

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After high school, I tackled my first true build: a 1957 Chevy sedan with a built 327, custom paint, and interior. Then life shifted—I joined the Navy, and car projects had to wait. But when I got out, I dove back in with a string of Corvettes, Camaros, and even a couple of 280Zs for fun. In 2000, I completed a full frame-off restoration of a 1955 Bel Air sedan—a longtime goal checked off the list.

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Another break followed as I focused on education, raising kids, and building a career. But in 2017, the itch returned, and I found this 1968 El Camino—a perfect starting point for a dream project. I spent time setting up my shop and planning the build, then in early 2020, I jumped in. This time, I committed to doing the bodywork and paint myself. I’d done a few quick "scuff and shoot" jobs in the ‘80s with acrylic enamel, but I wanted to see if I could produce a show-quality finish using modern basecoat/clearcoat systems. I also wanted to sharpen my skills in fabrication and bodywork.

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Once the car was fully stripped, I discovered more rust than expected—so I had a local shop handle major metal work, including new quarter panels, inner rear wheel wells, and a floor pan. From there, I took over. I completed the rest of the bodywork and paint, fabricated custom interior components (dash insert, console, door panels, and cab back panel), and partnered with a professional upholsterer for the leather interior and vinyl top. I also brought in experts for the glass installation and alignment.

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This was a true frame-off, nut-and-bolt restoration and resto-mod. Every part is new—every nut, bolt, washer, seal, and rubber bumper. The build was both challenging and incredibly rewarding, and I’m very pleased with how it came out.

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To provide full transparency for potential buyers, I hired Stacked Performance, a respected local performance shop, to perform a full pre-sale inspection. Their report made me proud. They noted the El Camino’s “exceptional craftsmanship, with meticulous attention to detail,” and highlighted that the LS3 swap featured “professional-grade wiring and integration throughout.” The test drive confirmed everything I hoped for—they said it “felt tight, smooth, and well put together... a driving experience more like a modern vehicle than something of its era.” Their final verdict: “We confidently endorse the quality, craftsmanship, and reliability of this custom-built El Camino.”

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The full inspection report is available below as a downloadable PDF.

 

Also available is a downloadable, complete detailed build sheet PDF with part numbers and specs.

 

The buyer will receive a documentation binder with manuals, tech sheets, configuration notes, and maintenance information as well as receipts from the parts purchased for the build.

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The car is a blast and I love driving it, but I only have room in my shop to either store a finished car or work on the next one. And while I enjoy the occasional cruise, I’m just not that into the car show scene. So—it’s time to make room and move on to the next build!

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Dean