The El Camino, Chevrolet’s “gentleman’s pickup”, was discontinued in 1987. Apparently, someone wished that had not happened and decided to convert a 1991 Camaro into one, resulting in what you might call an “El Camaro.” We don’t know how well the work was done, but it should qualify as one-of-a-kind and attract some attention wherever it goes, especially in Camaro circles. From Bradenton, Florida, this worn-looking oddity is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,000 (trades considered). Rocco B. comes through with another unusual tip for us!
This interesting transport began life as a third-generation Camaro, which was in production from 1982 to 1992. They were the first Camaro’s to offer “modern” fuel injection, the TH-700R4 4-speed automatic transmission, a 5-speed manual transmission, and hatchback bodies. They managed to be 500 lbs. lighter than their predecessors, which should have equated to better handling and more speed. We don’t know the specific model of this once-was Camaro, and V6 engines were standard equipment except in the IROC-Z. The alternative was a 305 cubic inch V8 (except a 350 could be had in the Z).
The seller imparts no knowledge of how or well the transformation of this Camaro took place. Given that the paint and stripes are becoming faded, we assume not recently. And it would be nice to know if the work was done by a professional shop or two guys with some welding equipment. The Camaro retains its T-Tops and is said to run and drive well, so presumably, no immediate mechanical issues are there to be dealt with.
We’re told the car has won a couple of trophies at car shows, no doubt due to originality and not condition. The interior looks original and the truck bed has a plastic covering which we assume hides no structural issues or rust. The seller admits it’s not perfect but a lot of fun to drive; from what we see, we’d have to agree. If you’re looking for some interesting wheels to tool around in on the weekend and maybe carry some plants back to the house for gardening, this El Camaro might fit the bill.
I’m a little ashamed to admit it but I kinda like it. At least I like the concept. Not so sure about the whole bedliner in the back thing. Lol. I suspect I’m gonna closely examine one next time I see one in the salvage yard. At least the seller has been having fun.
It’s gone already.
Looks like a good build on the surface but obviously has not been taken good care of. Probably would take a close look at the running gear before jumping into this one. Would certainly not go unnoticed anywhere you drove it.
I just hope that it had serious body damage to warrant this.
Honestly can say I don’t get it or like it…sorry owner
I’ve seen Corvette craved into a truck, why no a Camaro?
Lol, when I bought an El Camino my mom was going around telling people I had an El Camaro. Confused a lot of people.. wish mine looked this nice, it was a beater I got just for hauling junk.
Well that back sliding window is a JC Whitney order that bed liner was cut and trimmed to fit but not sealed would be interesting to see if its water tight in the cabin.and how or if they reinforced the body because they took away structure cutting close to the T top
Hey Troy, If you’ve every owned one of these and had to replace any rear speakers, which were located in that “flying buttress ” B pillar, you would have seen that the actual “structure ” is just behind the doors and most of the rest is blank space. Essentially a hoop that is the support for the roof/ T-tops and the hinges for the massive curved rear glass hatch. The good stuff is still there and if the rear panel is steel, welded in and properly sized it should only be an issue for seat travel.
I had a 86 IROC with the T top and I remember talking in for tires and it making a popping noise when they put it on the lift
Obviously a flower car for funeral homes that specialize in services for guys with mullets that smoked unfiltered camels and had blue tick hounds. Strange to me, but I hope the person had fun on this chopping/ building adventure… all it needs is a paint job and an LS swap.
Nice post, John. Had a pal with two Blue Tick Hounds. Confoundingly stupid animals without a single redeeming quality but the ability to bark, chew and sh*t..,everywhere, all the time.
I think he named one “Stop.”
El Dandy
Wasn’t this Camaro a Unibody vehicle? If so cutting all that structural material out of the body and the fact that it has
T-tops would cause great concern in it’s structural integrity.
Another entry for the “just because you can, does not mean you should” collection. I can appreciate it took some skill and time to do this, and I am glad to see it wasn’t a Z28 or IROC that did this to. To make these “ute” conversions appear acceptable, they really have to be finished to a very high degree of craftmanship. This one doesn’t meet that standard in my eyes. I’d be very worried about the structural integrity, even without a hi-po engine.
370zpp. Can you picture this sitting on the back road to Granville?
Granville? what?
Referring to a house near Granville, NY that always seemed to have an assortment of oddball cars.
Oh yeah. Also on blocks.
“El Catastropheo”
I was all set to comment about structural rigidity, but the fact is, it isn’t that different from an unmodified Camaro with its rear hatch removed. The roof and B-pillars were trimmed considerably, which is a bit worrisome, but depending on how that rear bulkhead was attached, this could actually be *more* rigid than a stock Camaro.
Actually GM apparently put out a concept car back in the laye 80’s after the demise of the original El Camino. It was said to be the new El Camino. I saw something very similar to this on display at the Orlando Itnl. Airport while I was over there picking up a friend.
The Camaro has seen extensive use as a “pickup” device since its introduction in 1967!
El camaro
It actually looks pretty good
I agree on all comments of structural integrity but a lot of garbage was built by the big 3 that wasn’t very strong either
Too bad there are no panel beaters left with a conscience, they all do it for the big money now and i refuse to pay their rates …
3 sentences, including the second one in the article, are so butchered they don’t make any sense.