The Chevy El Camino enjoyed a long and healthy run (1959-60 and again from 1964 to 1987). It was a car-based truck often referred to as a “gentlemen’s pickup.” In the last five years of production, Chevy commissioned Choo Choo Customs to modify as many as a couple of thousand Super Sports. The seller’s 1985 edition is an SS with Choo Choo mods and has also had $15,000 invested in upgrades to the drivetrain and more. Located with a dealer in Bradenton, Florida, this sharp pickup is available here on eBay for $24,997.
As General Motors was moving away from rear-wheel drive automobiles, the El Camino was retired in 1987 along with the RWD Malibu and Monte Carlo. But from 1983 to 1987, Chevy contracted with Choo Choo Customs out of Chattanooga, Tennessee, to do some mods to these pickups, with 2,200 being the estimated number of El Camino SS editions given that treatment. That works out to just 400-500 per model year (estimated). The Choo Choo mods included a Monte Carlo SS front clip.
The seller’s 1985 Choo Choo is said to have just 31,000 miles. Yet the upgrades to the truck, especially the 350 cubic inch V8, are extensive and likely do away with many of the emissions controls. The motor was returned to the glory days when it produced 300 horsepower. This Chevy began as a factory El Camino SS that was shipped off to Choo Choo to do their magic. Besides the switch in front ends, the pickup also has a custom hood and dashboard with instruments that weren’t included in factory El Caminos.
The 350 V8 has been rebuilt with Hooker Headers and a Flowmaster exhaust added. The automatic transmission has overdrive and a BOG converter lock-up control. A Kenwood stereo system belts out the tunes, and Corvette aluminum wheels sit at all four corners. The seller says all the mods, which we assume excludes the Choo Choo price tag back in the day, add up to $15,000. The truck looks beautiful and seems to want for nothing but a new home. Would you like to choo choo today?
Worth it! Nice truck.
The Corvette rims look great on this.
I love el caminos and this one is perfect! It should’ve came from choo choo conversions with those corvette wheels because they really make it look cool!
Great Camino conversions by the gang at Choo-Choo 👍 😎
I’m not sure if they all had the split bench, but I would think the “SS” , or the conversion would have bucket/console setup.
These were one good looking elCamino. The Monte SS front end didn’t hurt them a bit. I agree that the Corvette alloys look sharp and the 350 must back up the looks. Is this now, business in the back, party in the front?
Lovely looking El Camino. This has my favourite front end look. I hope whoever buys it enjoys it and takes care of it.
Good looking El Camino!!
I’ve always liked El Caminos, and this one is a beauty! The front end is the one they all should have worn from the factory. Bucket seats and console would have been perfect, although lacking those is certainly not a deal breaker. Someone is getting something really special!
Sharp Elky. The Corvette wheels finish the look nicely. The 350 will make it go…
It was nice of them to leave the fly in the photo of the VIN.. a couple of things that i noticed were added. As an owner of an 87 Elco.. they added the much needed converter lock-out switch. Every G-body I’ve owned is always locking in and out in city traffic.. 40-65 mph. I’ve done this to all of mine. Also, it looks like they added an oil pressure gauge under the bank of idiot lights. I do this as well if the car does not have the passenger side remote mirror. The toggle stick goes there. The vette wheels are a good addition but my Vette Rallye wheels are my favorite factory wheel. Anything but Crager SS wheels. The most boring wheel ever. They didn’t show the door tag installed at CCC showing the conversion number. All of the items are available to convert a regular camino to a Choo Choo. without that tag/sticker and number there is no way to verify this is a real Chooch.
I like it…a lot! Great looking El Camino. Always liked this iteration, and yes, the Monte Carlo front clip really sets it off. Be a great ride, good luck on the sale and to the new owner!
You know what’s missing? The rocker molding/simulated side exhaust with the four square tips. That looked cool.
Clean El Camino here just wish that the radio area wasn’t cut up. Lots of power with a 350 engine. Rims look great on it.