When you say that you’re bringing home a choo-choo project to tinker with on the weekends your spouse won’t be any the wiser, at least until this 1986 Chevrolet El Camino Choo-Choo SS arrives on the trailer. This one is located in Phoenix, Arizona where I should have moved after high school. It’s listed on eBay with over 100 bids – mainly $5, $10, $20 increments – but with still a reasonable price of under $5,000. The reserve isn’t met but it has to be getting fairly close to the seller’s reserve, this car needs some work.
Yep, this choo-choo needs a bit of freshening-up. “Arizona sun has burnt original Black paint off. Windows are covered to protect interior” says the seller. These El Camino SS conversions were done by Choo-Choo Customs out of, where else – Chattanooga, Tennessee where the Chattanooga Choo-Choo is from! Or, at least the song. It was basically an appearance package and they came with a NASCAR-friendly sloping front end and a graphics package some some other non-go-fast goodies.
Whoa, that’s a lot of sunburnt paint! This car is probably worth at least a mid-level respray due to it’s relative rarity and value. Hagerty is at $13,900 for a #2 excellent El Camino of this vintage but the Choo-Choo SS package adds a bit. Still, putting even $10,000 into a restoration will most likely be a break-even proposition at best, depending on what this one hammers for. This is it for exterior photos, believe it or not; and I know that you can believe it.
But, the seller has included two interior photos and even, gasp, an engine photo! Well done. The interior is somewhat equally burnt from the sun but it looks like most of it would clean up, or dye up, well. The Choo-Choo SS was made for the 1984 through 1987 model years for the El Camino when the model went away. I think we need a new El Camino and Ranchero, who’s with me?! Or, maybe a Dodge Dart pickup.. cough.. Chrysler should have gotten on the bandwagon with that while it was still possible to do wacky vehicles before bean counters totally took over.
It’s always nice to see an engine photo, even one with the heater core bypassed. The seller says that it just started leaking but that could be an expensive fix. This is a 150-hp 305 V8 with a 4-barrel, the biggest engine available in this era for this car. There is good news on the function of this example, “Gas tank removed and cleaned with new rubber fuel lines. Battery new in 2017. If bought you could drive car home. Tires are a few years old but no noticeable dry rot.” What do you think about this project Choo-Choo SS? I think it’s definitely doable and it could be a decent investment if a person can do most of the work him/herself.
I ordered new in 86 a GMC Cabellero. As most know, it is the twin to the El Camino. Mine was also the 305, and bucket seats with center console. I don’t know the numbers, but this Choo Choo is the only other one I have seen with the bucket seats, and console. I’m sure fellow readers can correct me on that. When I was ordering the car, (yes they are cars, not trucks) I could have ordered with a 4 speed, but let the dealer talk me out of it. It was a great car, very comfortable, and pretty quick for 86. They don’t weigh much. I wish I had kept it of course. I purchased it at $500 over invoice, and it was right at 11k.
I was never a huge fan of the Choo Choo front end… I think it’s just a Monte Carlo front end. I don’t see anyone making money off this car, but it would be nice restored, if you weren’t trying to harvest cash, and just enjoy it.
Most states register them as trucks. I agree with you on the choo choo choo front ends.
Nice, had the 1986 and it moved with the 4 barrel. Wish I still had it. Traded it in for the last year long nose 300zx.
This one makes mine look like a good deal, purchased last year for a similar price with nothing needed but window seals and a good carpet dying. I don’t see that much increased value in the Choo Choo.
Does the Monte Carlo SS front end really make this car worth that much more than a regular El Camino?
5K and then you still need to do everything to it seems a little high.
You say with all the bids it must be getting close to the reserve – well, we’ll really only know that when all the shills stop bidding! The present bids are well over what a reasonable and knowledgeable buyer would pay so clearly the seller is hoping (vainly I suspect) for a stupid sucker.
I have to admit, I owned what had to be the finest example of one of these in existence – the guy I bought it from had spent ten years and $$SIXTY THOUSAND$$ DOLLARS restoring it!!! IT was probably better than new!! He was finally pleased as “a pig in $h*t” when I paid him $6500 for it!
Due to being in the heart of the rust belt, in my neck of the woods, these sell for very high money. The feature car would go for about 5~6K around here. Makes me wish I’d of kept my 1985 El Camino Conquista awhile longer.
It’s lost it’s Choo
Hmmm…buy a nice one and put the front end on it. There are still around. Put an LS and a stick in it, have some fun. Cheaper than revamping that.
My how things change. Since I have lived in Chattanooga all my life, I remember when Choo Choo Customs was a pretty well known customizing shop growing to the point of building a new facility. During their short-lived heyday, it was very common to see several rows of new GM vehicles parked in their lot.
I had a 1980 that I bought second hand it was ugly Cinnabar with a tan interior. 229 V6 with 3spd on the floor stick. Didn’t take long to paint it Black with a Dove Grey interior. Swapped in a 350 and a BW Super T-10 . Put 8″ Corvette Rallye wheels on it with RWL BFG T/A Radicals. Was a nice ride. Turned heads. Was quick. Loved it. Wish I still had it.
have an el camino ss w choo-choo conversion, bucket seats ,side pipes & every single option gm optional 21 gallon fuel tank &yes they are titled as a truck
Back in 2000 I had a 1967 396 big block the Turbo 400, air conditioning, disc brakes one of my favorite trucks / car it was a great little vehicle very dependable and fast should have never sold it now I can’t afford to replace it LOL
The picture is a 65… but nice looking ride
No that picture is a 64