Some builds are born out of necessity, others from pure passion. But sometimes, the most remarkable vehicles emerge from something even deeper—a family legacy.
When Garrett Davidson inherited his 1977 Chevrolet El Camino, it wasn’t just a car; it was a piece of his grandfather’s history. Once used to navigate Nevada’s rugged mining regions, the El Camino had been pushed beyond its limits as a two-wheel-drive workhorse. But Garrett’s grandfather had always dreamed of turning it into a 4×4—a dream that remained just that, until fate placed the car in Garrett’s hands.
What started as a personal tribute quickly turned into a challenge, spurred by a friendly bet: could he transform the El Camino into a four-wheel-drive off-roader for under $4,000? With determination, creativity, and a little help from salvaged parts, the Hill Camino was born.
This is more than just a story about an incredible build. It’s about heritage, ingenuity, and the passion that fuels the off-road spirit. So, let’s discover this Hill Camino: A Grandfather’s Dream, A Grandson’s Challenge
From El Camino to Hill Camino: A Grandfather’s Legacy Reborn
A heartwarming tale of passion, ingenuity, and a bet that led to the transformation of a 1977 Chevrolet El Camino into a 4-wheel-drive off-road machine. Garrett Davidson of Nevada inherited this classic car from his grandfather, who used it to navigate the mines of the Silver State. With a vision to honor his grandfather’s dream, Garrett breathed new life into it—giving birth to the Hill Camino.
A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Johnson Valley
One of my favorite traditions when I’m in Johnson Valley, California, for King of the Hammers is stepping away from the hustle and bustle of Hammertown and exploring the Lakebed. Wandering through the spectator camps, I search for unique, one-of-a-kind vehicles—machines born from pure passion and creativity. Every year, I find something special, and this year was no exception.
The story I’m about to share is more than just a tale of a remarkable build. It’s a tribute to the bond between a grandfather and his grandson—a legacy carried forward through horsepower and determination.
The El Camino: A One-of-a-Kind Machine
At the center of this story is a 1977 Chevrolet El Camino. A unique hybrid between a car and a pickup truck, the El Camino was produced by Chevrolet from 1959 to 1960 and then again from 1964 to 1987. It was General Motors’ answer to the Ford Ranchero, a vehicle that had hit the market two years earlier. GM marketed the El Camino as a “working coupé”, blending the practicality of a truck with the comfort of a car.
James Crumley, in The Last Good Kiss, once described the El Camino with these words: “My El Camino was a bastard vehicle, half sedan, half pickup—Detroit’s half-baked idea to please the lazy drugstore cowboy. People who wanted to drive a truck but didn’t want to look like they were driving one.”
A Grandfather’s Dream, A Grandson’s Challenge
Garrett Davidson’s El Camino was more than just a car—it was a piece of family history. His grandfather had used it for years in the rugged terrain of Nevada’s mining regions, pushing the limits of its two-wheel-drive capability. “Given the conditions it was used in,” Garrett recalls, “the car was pushed far beyond what it was designed for.”
Despite its limitations, Garrett’s grandfather always dreamed of converting it into a 4×4—but time and finances never allowed him to make it happen.
That’s where Garrett stepped in. After inheriting the car, he mentioned the idea to a friend’s father, who immediately scoffed at the possibility.
“You’ll never turn that El Camino into a four-wheel-drive for less than $4,000.”
That was all the motivation Garrett needed. The bet was on.
The Birth of the Hill Camino
On December 19, 2018, the transformation began. Sticking to the budget set by the bet, Garrett sourced only recycled parts from other vehicles.
Engine: A Chevrolet 350ci Small Block
Transmission: 700R4 automatic
Transfer case: From a Toyota Land Cruiser
Axles: Solid axles salvaged from a 1967 Jeep Gladiator
Suspension: Custom front arms with modified original springs; Toyota FJ40 leaf springs for the rear
After less than a month of hard work and just $2,900 spent, the Hill Camino was born—a true Frankenstein of off-road ingenuity.
And what better way to break in the newly built machine than by heading straight to King of the Hammers? Garrett’s first real journey with the Hill Camino was the trek to Johnson Valley, where it proudly joined the sea of incredible off-road rigs on the Lakebed. A grandfather’s vision, a grandson’s determination, and a bet that sparked a legend—this is the story of the Hill Camino.
