Classic car gives Laguna radio station a classic feel

An occasional look at artwork and other displays around Laguna Beach.

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KX 93.5’s mascot is nothing if not conspicuous.

The restored 1960 Chevrolet El Camino is painted a vivid yellow and emits a racket when its engine turns over.

A donor who prefers to remain anonymous gave the vehicle to the Laguna Beach radio station during its October 2012 debut. Program director Tyler Russell has since squeezed up to four employees into the car’s front seat and driven to remote broadcasts and events at the Main Beach cobblestones, Laguna Art Museum, [seven-degrees], Sawdust Art Festival grounds and elsewhere. The automobile, still in mint condition, has been as far as Corona del Mar and Laguna Niguel.

“All radio stations have a van or something kind of unflattering to cart gear in,” Russell said. “We thought with our cool SoCal vibe, this would be a great way to move equipment from Point A to Point B. The El Camino is one of the only sedan-trucks that’s ever existed. It was weird to people when it first came out. It’s really kind of a Frankenstein car.”

Here are a few aspects of the car, which you’d be hard-pressed not to notice — or hear:

The origin

Although General Motors manufactured the El Camino between 1959 and 1960 and again from 1964 to 1987, auto aficionados who notice KX 93.5’s car trundling around Laguna Beach know instantly that it’s a 1960 version.

“What distinguishes a 1960 El Camino from a 1959 is these wings,” Russell said, pointing to the car’s shape. “The ’59 is kind of flatter, and the ’60 has these wings that come out, and some people spot that. They say, ‘That’s a 1960 El Camino,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, you’re right.’ Then I’ll open the hood and they’ll say, ‘That’s a 350 Chevy engine,’ and I say, ‘You know more than I do!”

While details about the car’s whereabouts during the past 54 years are lacking, its black, original California license plates lead Russell to believe that the vehicle hasn’t strayed outside the Golden State. Also, a “Huntington” sticker as well as another with the shaka hand sign could indicate time spent in Surf City.

The color

The car’s exterior is painted an eye-catching canary yellow, with subtle flames. The drama continues on the inside with complementary black and yellow leather seats. Since acquiring it, the KX 93.5 team has added “Laguna’s Only FM” and its logo — multicolored sunglasses, which fit with the station’s “beachy, colorful and hipster” vibe, according to Russell.

“There’s nothing that could be a better promotional tool for us than this car, I don’t think,” he said. “It’s an outstanding color. Everybody notices it. They say, ‘Wow, this car is in perfect shape,’ ‘I’m blown away,’ ‘I’ve never seen anything quite like it.’ It’s a show car.”

The truck bed

The open space is roomy enough to fit all of KX 93.5’s necessary equipment, including a tent, table, public address system and speakers. That might not be the best use of a fancy car, Russell conceded, but it allows him to combine the El Camino’s beauty with functionality.

The sound

The engine, which is thunderous but quick to respond, has been restored, as has much of the vehicle. Its previous owners also outfitted the car with a yellow Pioneer sub woofer, which is tucked behind the seat in lieu of extra storage. The radio’s volume needs to be turned up high, though, for it to be heard over the engine’s blare.

“People like bigger and louder,” Russell said, characterizing the noise level as “shocking.”

The interiors

The El Camino’s features are highly customized. Unlike today’s digital readings, its fuel levels, speed, oil pressure and water temperature are measured by dials. A tissue box is attached to the dashboard, while a tiny flashlight hangs from the steering wheel. The gas pedal is in the shape of a foot, and a little yellow paint box is tucked into the glove compartment, allowing the driver to touch up any dings.

“Everything is just so — it’s very particular,” Russell noted. “A lot of care has been put into the car.”

In addition, the tire gauge is in the shape of a wheel, and the door locks are yellow to match the car. Since being presented the El Camino, which gets 11 miles to a gallon, Russell has added an air conditioner so his group can be comfortable in high temperatures.

Still, he finds, size does matter.

“It’s a bit like driving a boat,” he said. “It’s really hard to see out of. It’s heavy, big and hard to maneuver. It has power steering, but is just really hard to drive.”