Choo-Choo Customs SS: 1987 Chevy El Camino Designer Series

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The Choo-Choo Customs legacy at Chevrolet is an intriguing one, and yet another example of the aftermarket maintaining a close relationship with the Big 3 automakers to create custom models with limited production numbers. The El Camino Choo-Choo Customs Designer Series SS seen here is a final-year of production model, made rarer still by having the cosmetic tweaks that came on every Choo-Choo conversion. The seller says this was a “bucket list” car for him, but that it’s time for it to find a new owner. Find the El Camino here on craigslist for $19,500 in Florida, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find.

The Choo-Choo package definitely added some much-needed style to long-in-the-tooth models like the El Camino. There’s no denying that, as the smooth look appearance, along with the all-white paint scheme, makes the El Camino look far newer than it really is. The body of this car is in excellent condition thanks to a recent paint job and brand-new Choo Choo decals. As long as you bear in mind there were no actual performance enhancements as a result of this aftermarket “conversion,” your expectations should be set accordingly. The seller notes this El Camino was the third to the last El Camino “recertified” by Choo-Choo Customs as part of its licensed process agreement with GM.

I suppose that’s why I could never get too worked up over a genuine Choo-Choo: it’s still basically an El Camino underneath that refreshed exterior, right down to the plain-jane, standard-issue seats and interior equipment. For all the times GM fitted Fire Birds and Trans Ams with Recaros, a set of those would have made this package slightly more compelling. The lack of any performance enhancements, to the engine or the suspension, means you’re buying a Choo-Choo because you love the look and the perceived rarity of a limited-edition model like this. Personally, I would look at this purchase as buying an awfully pretty final-year El Camino with the Choo-Choo conversion a bonus.

The seller doesn’t think so, and the $20,000 asking price is evidence of this. Still, it has clearly been well maintained and has only 55,000 original miles on the clock. The seller hasn’t removed any of the original emissions equipment, and added emissions-legal headers and exhaust to liven up the driving experience a bit. The El Camino also benefits from new weatherstripping and seals, along with new spark plugs, vacuum lines, and a new radiator and hoses. The seller is looking for all the money for this one, but then again – are there any other Choo-Choos as nice as this final-year El Camino?

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Comments

  1. Mike

    What a snake pit of hoses & wires in the engine bay.

    Like 3
    • Jcs

      Have you looked under the hood of a new vehicle lately? Wait until you see what lurks under those plastic covers!

      Like 16
  2. Bruce71Camino

    A lot of guys seem to goof on the choo choo customs, but they were cool for their era. Maybe the choo choo thing doesn’t sound macho enough. I would not mind having an el camino from this era (they have grown on me over the years), and the choo choo thing makes it a bit more unique.

    Like 10
  3. KC JohnMember

    I’ve never been a fan of the choo choo version. That nose just kinda looks like an afterthought. Trim just ending at front of the fender sticks out to me. I’m aware that trim works with the factory bumper. Stickers, a knock off Monte Carlo nose, and nothing else just doesn’t work for me. Lots of folks dig em though so what the heck do I know?

    Like 7
  4. Dave

    I like all elkys, but this generation got a 305, the headers and exhaust would be much better utilized on a 4 inch bore motor like a 350 or 383.

    Like 2
  5. JBH6666

    Wonderful car- I’ve always loved the SS conversions on the last gen El Caminos. I just cannot understand why the owner would install no-name “Primewell” tires on such a clean well-preserved example.

    Like 1
  6. Gerard Frederick

    Were I to live in Chattanooga, I would buy it just to piss off the politically correct crowd.

    Like 10
  7. Mark

    Had one identical to this one in the mid-90’s. Sold it to a guy in Atlanta. One of my many regrets. I literally just came across the original bed rail supports that I replaced with new ones (that were still available).

    Like 0
  8. Rick Rothermel

    The ChooChoo package was seen as a profit boost for Ellie sales but some dealers missed the point entirely. I know of one ’86 in San Diego that was brought to the converter and fully prepped before they realized it was just a v6. Poor thing looked great but was sale-proof at the dealer. Went to the dealer auction a year later.

    Like 1
  9. ShaneH Shane

    I love it!! All though I would LS it and drive it daily!!

    Like 1
  10. Gerard Frederick

    My sentiments exactly. The only thing I would do is to customize the interior, really pimp it out with Recaro seats, Nardi woodrim steering wheel etc. and drive it daily.

    Like 1
  11. t-bone BOB

    Located in Spring Hill, FL

    Like 1

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