I have covered numerous Chevrolet El Caminos here on Barn Finds, they’re one of my favorites. I am yet, however, to cover one from Gen-V (1978-1987), so today, I will rectify that situation by presenting this sharp-looking 1986 example. It is located in Springfield, Oregon and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $5,400 with nineteen bids tendered so far.
By 1986, the sun was setting on Chevrolet’s versatile car/truck. The original domestic “Ute”, the Ford Ranchero, hung up its spurs at the conclusion of the 1979 model year. The Camino continued on but by ’87, it too would go the same way. Actually, the El Camino wasn’t the only car/truck mash-up continuing through the ’80s as there was a badge-engineered GMC “Caballero”, a continuation of GMC’s Sprint (’71-’77), offered from ’78 to ’87. You would be hard-pressed to recognize the difference between the El Camino and the Caballero as they are truly separated by a nameplate and that’s about it.
This Camino is hardly a barn find, it’s more like an “outside of the barn” find based on its positioning and images. The seller claims that it is an original survivor with no rust. Admittedly, the finish on this 49K recorded mileage example shows as new and the matching flip-up cargo cover is always a nice Camino inclusion. The “rally” wheels are referred to as new but they were an option in ’86.
The engine room of this El Camino is in possession of a 140 net HP, 4.3 liter (262 CI) V6 engine working in concert with a three-speed automatic transmission. It is an interesting engine as it is essentially a 350 CI V8 (5.7 liter) with two of its cylinders removed. The seller claims, “The vehicle runs great and is not regularly driven“. The listing further states, “New Radiator complete tuneup rebuilt transmission new Torque converter all fluids changed car has not been driven much tags are expired back in 2016“.
The biggest gripe with El Camino interiors of this era, really GM cars in general, are the cheap, cheesy fabrics and plastics employed. They were like a cross between auto parts store seat covers and terry cloth. The seller mentions that, in this case, a new carpet has been installed but the rest is original and I’ll admit, it shows pretty well save for the ripped seam in the driver’s backrest. The dash topper is probably hiding a split dash pad – a typical problem. The lack of bucket seats is helpful if only from the ability to squeeze in two passengers instead of one.
The seller suggests, “Starts and runs well simply a good daily or weekend cruiser or better yet the perfect V8 candidate has plenty of room under the hood with the V6 plus it won’t smoke the tires unless you drop a V8“. Can we forget about muscling up and dropping a V8 into everything for crying out loud? How about leaving something as it was intended and just enjoying it as-is?
Jim and William are going to love this one, even slower than the 4.3 Firebird!
I disagree, Jack. These fuel injected 4.3’s were pretty stout motors. I’ve driven company Chevy Vans and S10 pickups with this engine and they held their own pretty well.
Bob C., I drove a 1996 Chevy Blazer for 10 years with the 4.3 Vortec V-6, which had to be more powerful than this throttle body FI model. Stout is not the first word that comes to mind.
Not the ’96 Chevy Astro I had. It’s 4.3 was slow and thristy
If you don’t like cars with smaller engines, you don’t have to buy them. Leave them for someone who appreciates them. Does everything have to be built to satisfy you? Not everyone is so insecure they have to show their superiority through their car.
Exactly. A friend of mine dogs the ’80’s Monte Carlo SS because, “It only has a 305!” So? They are great cruisers…
Those, and the 4.3L are great. I tried to find it at home, but Dwight Yoakam has a picture of his black El Camino on the back of his “Just lookin’ for a hit” album. Inside the CD liner notes, it shows it from behind, with a 4.3 badge on the tailgate…
It was intended as a V8 which is why most were sold in that format. I can’t imagine driving one with a 6 in it is much fun.
These engines are terrific. A 350 V8 block minus 2 cylinders. Fuel injection is a bonus.
They were available with O/D transmissions, and less highway friendly ratios for more pep off the line.
I would like to have one with tilt and cruise, plus A/C, though! And, the radio is an earlier shift unit…strange.
Decent engines. It’s amazing what hacking off 2 cylinders does to the exhaust note. Just isn’t the same afterwards.
The 4.3 engine is a 350 with 2 cylinders lopped off. I agree. And it runs like it.
My family had a 4.3 V6 in a Pontiac Parisienne (what the H E double hockey sticks is a Parisienne, anyway?). Anyway, the TH350 behind it was loathe to kick down a gear, but the engine output was adequate. It was the first FI engine our family owned, and having something that cranked on the first time, every time, was a revelation.
A Pontiac Parisienne was also known as a “Cheviac.” Virtually a full sized Chevy with Pontiac body panels.
Pa·ri·si·enne
/pəˌrēzēˈen/
a Parisian girl or woman.
I don’t think I’ve EVER heard someone refer to this as a Gen V or 5th Gen…
It’s a G Body.
Well, you have now!
JO
I get the impression some of you 4.3 V6 detractors have never actually owned a vehicle with that engine. I have owned several with that engine, and found them very responsive, especially in the S10 Blazers. The secret is getting air in and out of them efficiently.
Nice car, too bad it’s on the wrong coast for me. My question is why no photo’s of the underside? as far as the v-6…..if I want to go fast I’ll drive my C-5 LS1.
400+hp v-8,suspension and fat tires. White dudes that drive fast mid-eighties ElCo’s are super creepy! Right up my alley
i would love to have the el camino i just will never have the $$ to own such a cool truck
Is that an access panel underneath the rear window, or at least that’s what it appears to be? I’ve never seen a “5th gen” with one. And I’ve never personally liked the access panels on any of the Utes due to the vulnerability of water getting inside. Many the 60s Utes had them on the flat side of the bed near the window.
Not really a access panel, it’s a cover over the rear footwell, since these were built on a modified station wagon body. Some people I have known adapted the cover to open, for a storage compartment.
A vehicle you either love or hate. I own 2 of them, the first a 1972 SS and have just bought a 1987 SS one. I love the rear bumper guards on this one, have tried to find for mine. Should also have front BG, but no luck with them either. I wonder if perhaps off a Monte Carlo. I have really enjoyed them.
The 4.3 is rated pretty low here at 140hp they must have made some pretty substantial improvements over the years.. I have owned a number of astro and safari Van’s with the 4.3 from 96s to 2000s that were all rated around 200hp here in Canada, not sure what the lb/torque #s are but they all had power to spare being able to easily burn positrac rubber up the road when empty so this el caminos should be able to do the same with no weight over the back wheels and some upgrades from the newer 4.3s . No mention of posi trac diff so might just be an open 1 wheel burner but that is an easy upgrade from most astro vans are and they are interchangeable with these . Probably will get a better ratio out of the swap as well .the Camino probably has some economy gear like 2:42 .alot of the van’s have 4speed auto and better rear end gear ratio for more torque
And the bumper guards – you either like or dislike them. I do not care for them. The only ones I have liked were the front bumper guards on the 81 Mercury Zephyr Z7 that I used to own in which there were two dark black vertical guards – no black plastic strips over a chrome vertical piece.
That’s funny 4.3 v6 has more power than 305
SOLD for $6.962.