In a world where it seems everyone is in a tizzy about the amount of fuel burned, it is painful to see that a two-door, car-based pickup is absent from the American automotive market. It seems like it would be a good idea to offer people who want a truck for occasional use with a car-like driving experience something smaller, lighter, and more fuel-efficient than the current crop of pickup trucks. It wasn’t that long ago that customers could purchase a vehicle like this 1986 Chevrolet El Camino SS by Choo-Choo Customs for sale on Craigslist in Eugene, Oregon. This gorgeous car-based truck is in excellent condition and being offered for a heady $24,500. Is that too much to pay for one of the most versatile vehicles General Motors has ever produced? Thanks to Tony P. for the tip on this neat truck!
You could probably trace the car-based truck’s lineage back to the thirties. During that time, many manufacturers sold what amounted to a truck bed that fit in the trunk of a coupe. Coupes back then usually seated two or three people up front had little to no room behind those front seats, and featured a long, sloping trunk. These pickup beds fit into the trunk area and extend out behind the car. While some may have been capable of folding up to allow the trunk lid to close, most required the removal of the trunk lid. This was a very cumbersome setup, but it was a start.
It wasn’t until Ford released the Ranchero in 1957 that car-based trucks were officially a market segment. Chevrolet countered with the El Camino in 1959, thus ensuring that the segment would last given both Ford and GM’s proclivities for having a competitor in every established segment of the market. While Ford gave up on the Ranchero in 1979, it took Chevrolet until 1987 to surrender the segment to history. The argument was made that small conventional trucks like the S-10 and the Ranger had taken over the segment and the rear-wheel-drive platform that the El Camino was built on was switching to front-wheel drive. Others such as Dodge, Plymouth, Subaru, and Volkswagen all tried to market front and four-wheel drive competitors of smaller stature with limited success. Today, Honda, Hyundai, and Ford are selling four-door variants with small beds and limited capacity. They are not the same thing.
The 1986 El Camino SS you see here is just one year off from the end for this type of vehicle in the United States. Holden, GM’s Australian branch, made a variant called the VF Ute until 2017 based on the same chassis that the last GTOs were made on. There was hope that GM would export these too, but only a handful ended up here thanks to individuals importing them. Built on the G-body platform along with the Monte Carlo and other coupes, the El Camino was never a huge seller. However, the body style had a loyal following and made a lot of sense in a world when full-size trucks were generally regarded as work vehicles. They were easy to get into, comfortable to drive, simple to park and were a good choice for someone who needed a truck occasionally for mundane matters.
What makes this El Camino unique besides its stellar condition and 26,000 original miles is the fact that it is a coveted Choo-Choo edition. Choo-Choo Customs was a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company that specialized in making custom vans for dealers across the country. These customs usually included a body kit, raised roofs, and luxurious interiors complete with captain’s chairs and killer stereos. They also branched out into adding custom packages for various trucks from heavy-duty 3/4 and 1-ton trucks to Suburbans. From 1983 to 1987, they worked their magic on El Caminos. The company grafted on Monte Carlo SS-type front ends and faux hood scoops, added rally wheels and sport mirrors, and a few decals to complete the conversion. They were sold as dealer-added packages until the last El Caminos found homes in late 1987.
The seller of this El Camino has taken excellent care of this truck. It is described as being in mint condition and all original. The only possible discrepancy would be the wheels, which appear to be Monte Carlo SS wheels. Perhaps they were an option or ordered separately when the truck was new. It would be interesting to see if the fiberglass side panels were from Choo-Choo as well. As a small indication of the treatment that the truck has received, the seller even has the original window sticker.
Is this showroom condition El Camino worth the $24,500 asking price? For an El Camino aficionado, probably yes. This one has a whole lot of miles left in it and you would be hard-pressed to find a better one. Even if you wanted to buy and make it your primary vehicle, $24,500 doesn’t buy much of a used truck in this condition. Sadly, the cost of good vehicles with low mileage is insane right now. Wearing out such a nice, collectible truck may be a sin. However, I’d daily drive this one until the wheels fell off.
What would you do with this El Camino? Do you think the concept of a car-based truck still has a market? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
The ‘Nonfunctional Sheilded Sport Side Pipe’ was mentioned – and shown – in the 1986 El Camino Brouchure. It was a ‘third party’ option, just like the wheels. Are those Western Bullet examples with a unique center?
You should be corrected – when Chevy gave up in 1960 to not continue the El Camnio for 4 yrs – “While Ford gave up on the Ranchero in 1979, it took Chevrolet until 1987 to surrender the segment”
Nice truck. Like the color but it doesn’t look like “GOLD” to me. Why does everything have to be so expensive. Although you will be hard pressed to find another as nice for less.
I still think that’s one of the ugliest front ends put on a car.
Makes it look really cheesy,& cheaply made.I do,however like
the earlier versions with the single headlights.
I agree with Davey Boy in that almost everything vehicle wise
seems to be out of control.
Well, If you don’t like that front end..you won’t like anything produced in today’s car/truck market…and not to mention…no 2 Dr models…
I own a 1986 El Camino Conquista with 63,000 actual miles and is mint. They are a great cruiser. This one looks like a time capsule.
I might be old school but after 72 models they all suck!
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y8/gb70/IMG_4703.jpeg
I always thought the Monte SS nose looked great on this generation of ElCamino. To me, since I was a kid, ElCaminos were always special. Its not that they were rare, or you never saw them, I saw them all the time. I just always thought they were special, all generations of them. I always wanted one, and I still do and if I had the money, this would be very high in my radar to buy. Very nicely preserved.
Those alloy wheels were available on the Camaro, Monte Carlo and El Camino, back then. The lug pattern is the same, and they will interchange.
Yep, and they actually suck in my opinion
Choo-Choo Customs did a nice job with these. Rummaging thru the parts bins and coming up with a pleasing looking car isn’t always the outcome. True there wasn’t any more heat under the hood but the appearance was good. I’m curious about the color which resembles Redwood of a few years earlier.
Sometimes I wonder how our narsastic tendencies shifted from driving a good looking vehicle like this to a lumbering truck or look alike CUV/SUV. With today’s technology these would be a great alternative to a regular pickup. Or, so said the gray haired guy. smh
Anybody remember the Team Camaro that Choo-choo made in the early years of the third-gen models?
I am an El Camino owner (1972 SS 454). They definitely have their purpose. If you ever own one, sooner or later you will use the rear bed to haul something. If you have a 454 and a 6-speed you will also show a few Mustang GTs that a well done 454 is not to be messed with.
I haven’t been without an El Camino since 1970. That accounts for a few. Currently have a 1975 with a 454 (last year for that) that’s in pieces. I bought that one brand new. Also a 1985 SS that’s a had its cubic inches increased. Just about anyone that has ever had one loved it.
Didn’t care for cars after about ’71 but this is in exceptional condition. These are growing on me now. What can you buy now under $25k? I’m retired and would drive it as my daily driver.
Return it to a stock body, PLEASE.
It’s a pretty interesting story about why you can no longer buy a new Ranchero or El Camino or UTE and it has nothing to do with consumer demand. The EPA decided that they would have to be as fuel efficient as a regular car which has a lot higher standard than a truck/SUV.
The underlying culprit is always the federal government.
WOW – I’d surely buy it ! Yep ,just the way it is. I’d baby it to death and I also would take it to cars and coffee, classic cars get togethers , and just ENJOY IT! My God, where can you find an awesome El Camino “SS” , and a “Choo Choo” edition no less – for $24-25k ? Sign me up ! I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this car. The problem with me is that my wallet isn’t as enthusiastic as I am ! But I’d buy it if I could. Good luck to everyone! Thanks for a great article too.
I will be selling mine if anyone is interested. Maybe someone can text me and I can text them my number to send pics. My iPhone does not have jpeg or the other way to upload.
208-412-9744