Photos & Story by Terry Denomme

When Doug Newness moved to Las Vegas, NV from Salmon Arm, BC he didn’t leave behind his love for fast cars and hot rods. When he decided to apply for citizenship he had to spend a few months back in Salmon Arm and what better way to spend his time but working on a hot rod.
He already had a 1959 Chevy Sedan Delivery with a BBC but he decided he wanted something different with a newer powerplant. A 1959 El Camino fit the bill. The build started in 2008 in Salmon Arm, BC and was completed in Las Vegas Nevada in 2010.
He started by installing a C4 Corvette suspension courtesy Wayne Booth Hot Rods (now Canadian Hot Rods Inc). The stock X-frame received frame connectors for added rigidity and to accommodate the components necessary to replace the stock suspension with the C4 suspension. A hydro boots system makes sure the 4-wheel disc brakes can really bring the whoa when you need it.
An LS3 (500hp) motor was chosen for power with a 4L65E automatic transmission.
There were only minor body mods performed during the body work and paint process which took place at Pinto Paint Works in Las Vegas. All trim was black out to complete the sinister look of the car. The rear tonneau cover is a custom unit and it’s flush fit to the box and raised via dual electric actuators.
The black powder coated Nitro wheels are 17x7 up front and 17x8 out back wrapped in Nitto 450 tires.
In the interior, a custom centre console has a whale tail style and a the door panels mimic an early 1960s Corvette. An Ididit column replaced the stock unit and Painless wiring system makes sure there’s no shortage of power. Upholstery is by ABC Upholstery in Las Vegas. The El Camino has an A/C system, power steering and power windows with quad speakers and kicking stereo system.