Ep 3. The Ballad of El Camino

In the third episode of season 1 of Big Easy Motors, titled "The Ballad of El Camino," the team at the New Orleans-based custom car shop, The Bomb Factory, take on a unique project. A customer arrives with a beat-up 1971 Chevrolet El Camino that has been passed down through his family for generations. The car has sentimental value for the owner, who wants to restore it to its former glory.

The El Camino is a unique type of vehicle, classified as a "coupe utility" due to its combination of a car body and a truck bed. The team at The Bomb Factory is excited to tackle this project and bring the El Camino back to life, as they have a soft spot for classic American cars.

However, as the team begins to work on the El Camino, they discover that it needs much more work than they originally thought. The car has extensive rust damage and has been poorly modified over the years, with mismatched parts and shoddy welding. The team realizes that they will need to take extra precautions to ensure that the El Camino is restored properly.

The team begins by taking the El Camino apart piece by piece, salvaging what they can and replacing what needs to be discarded. They strip the car down to its frame, sandblasting it to remove the rust and adding reinforcement where necessary. They replace the engine with a new one, opting for a more powerful and reliable 350-cubic inch V8. The team also installs a new suspension system, power steering, power brakes, and modern disc brakes.

Throughout the episode, the team encounters various challenges and setbacks, but they persevere. They work tirelessly to make sure that every detail is perfect, even down to the custom upholstery and paint job.

One of the highlights of the episode is when the team designs and installs a hydraulic suspension system to give the El Camino a classic "lowrider" look. They install hydraulic cylinders and pumps that can raise and lower the front and back ends of the car independently. The owner is thrilled when he sees how the car looks with the new suspension, and it is clear that the team has gone above and beyond to make his dream car a reality.

Overall, "The Ballad of El Camino" is a heartwarming and inspiring episode of Big Easy Motors. The team at The Bomb Factory shows their dedication and skill as they restore this beloved family car to its former glory. The episode also showcases the unique culture and history of New Orleans, where classic cars are an important part of the local community.