My 1956 cameo project thread

[1956cameo]

Thanks for the encouraging words everyone! Gatorbuilt, I will keep an eye out for you. Should be a little nippy but that wont even begin to stop from coming! Can't wait!



Here is a pic of the "Indy Mag" that is already on the pass. rear of the truck. Like I said if I can get a full set I will go with these for a retro look.




WOW!! THIS PIC IS HUGE!! Sorry I guess I should have taken the time to re-size.

[pugs]

hell, they look like whats on my 70

[Texasdeere]

How's the 56 Cameo comming along?

[1956cameo]

Hello TXDeere, It has been a little slow lately; mostly because I have been working on my 72 suburban. I am almost done with it and will be focusing my attention back to the cameo.

Since I last posted, I have gotten a new carburator for the cameo. Just a plain jane quadrajet. I have taken the gas tank out to clean it. Looking for a radiator shop to wash it out. I have also found and installed a complete set of mag wheels like in one of my previous pics. Right now I am looking for some vintage 70's looking tires that will go with the mag wheel look.

In the coming weeks I am hoping to get the brakes overhauled, new water pump, start some electrical work, and get new fluids and filters in the engine and transmission. When I start working on it regularly I will start posting more pictures again. Once I get it roadworthy and legal, I am planning on making a trip down your way to see how your project is going. That might be a few months though!


Oh and the statement that I was hoping to have the cameo to the local cruise nights by valentines day weekend definately went right out of the window. So for now I am still going in my 54 truck.

[Texasdeere]

Originally Posted by 1956cameo

Once I get it roadworthy and legal, I am planning on making a trip down your way to see how your project is going. That might be a few months though!

Sounds Great, Looking forward to seeing it.

[JohnC]

A guy I know just finished his Cameo. He has the wide white wall tires, with rally wheels. I'll have to get some pics and post up here.

[Muleman100]

I have POR gas tank kit to clean and coat the gas tank if you are interested.

[OrrieG]

Try Coker for the tires, they are licensed reproducers of the classic styles, They are not cheap, but just like the redlines, T/A's, or WW that were popular in the 50, 60 and 70's. MIght also check with local places to see if they have a fleet line that is taller profile if that is what you are after. I'd steer away from any NOS tires, dry rot at 60 is no fun.

[1956cameo]

I am pretty sure coker will have what I need, but unfortunately I dont really know what I want. I know I want a "70s" looking tire. Something that you would have seen on an old muscle car that had alot of ridicoulus aftermarket stuff put on it. Not sure if I am making any sense, since I wasn't born until 81 I don't know much about what was popular tire wise in the 70's. I am just trying to get a tire that looks like the ones I have seen in alot of old 70's pictures of cars. I believe they had raised white lettering and they have a certain look to the sidewalls. If I find a pic of what I am talking about I will post.

[frmula505]

Those mags are Anson mags. I have a set on my shop truck (by the way rust is fixed now). I get offers to buy them all the time.

[1956cameo]

I was just looking at this thread yesterday wishing I had some updates to post. Since this thread was las posted on I have gone on a quest to find pristine original sheetmetal for the cameo. So far my results have not been to fruitful. I did find a very cherry original drivers side door that I acquired and a very nice hood. Other than that not having much luck.

JohnC, if you get some photo's feel free to post them. I could use a little motivation to get everything moving at a faster pace.

frmula505, thanks for the info on the rims. I have a complete set on her now. I tried polishing them but had very limited success. Any tips on how to get them back to looking good?

[Kabwe]

double post sorry

[Kabwe]

Since you said feel free to post a photo for motivation. Here is are pics of my buddy's 56 Cameo, it has a 383 stroker, 700r4, hydroboost brake systems, and a Camaro clip. You got to love the Cameo.

[1956cameo]

Kabwe, WOW! That truck is gorgeous. I love that color too. If mine turns out anywhere near as nice as that one I will be extatic.

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by 1956cameo

Kabwe, WOW! That truck is gorgeous. I love that color too. If mine turns out anywhere near as nice as that one I will be extatic.

Yeah I know its a really nice truck. I love the cameo, wish I had one. I looked into buying a bed, but the parts get expensive. That truck use to be a step side, he lucked up on a complete cameo bed.

[ChuckDriver]

At the Myrtle Beach car show last year I was approached by a gentleman who asked if I might be intrested in a Cameo conversion for my 57. I told him I might someday and he gave me his business car for his company, Carolina Cameo Conversions. They bought the molds from Gibbons in Darlington, SC when they went out of business. Classic Trucks did a install article on the Gibbons parts several years ago and one of Gibbons trucks was on the cover of an issue also. It was red with corvette style coves painted on the doors and had a Turbo Buick motor in it!

This may be a way for more of us to build our own Cameo!

http://carolinacameoconversions.com/

[ChuckDriver]

Found a few shots of the Cameo that the owner gave me!

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Since you said feel free to post a photo for motivation. Here is a pic of my buddy's 56 Cameo, it has a 383 stroker, 700r4, hydroboost brake systems, and a Camaro clip. You got to love the Cameo.

Installing the hydroboost brake system

Nice tuck man!! Is your buddy bringing his truck to Brothers?

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by CAL 58 GMC

Nice tuck man!! Is your buddy bringing his truck to Brothers?

I don't think so, but he knows about about. We always go to do the looky loo thing. lol

[1956cameo]

blackdiesel, Good eye on the hood ornament. From what I can tell all of the sheetmetal on the truck is original to that truck except the passenger side front fender and the hood. I guess whoever replaced those pieces took the new sheetmetal off of a 55. The truck was originally red with white trim. If you chip off the silver paint you can see the red and white paint unerneath everywhere it is suppossed to be except for on those two pieces of sheetmetal.

Chuckdriver, there are a couple of companies that are reproducing cameo parts. The only bad thing about that is everyone is passing off their non original cameo trucks as originals. Most cameo experts can easily tell when one is not genuine, but the average person can not. It is a shame GM never put a specific serial number on the cameos.

[ChuckDriver]

If I ever do convert mine I would never pass it off as a true Cameo!

[blackdiesel]

Hey chuck that's not a cameo cab, they were ALL big back glass trucks. 1956cameo, You might have told why, and I missed it, but your truck has a 55 hood ornament on it.

[blackdiesel]

By the way chuck, I really like your truck and your build thread, good job there

[MrSinister]

Hey blackdiesel that red "cameo" was built a few years back by kyle bond of gibbons to showcase their new cameo conversion and as chuckdriver mentioned they sold those molds when they went out of business

[Palf70Step]

Nice Cameo project. I definitely like the Caddy engine idea.