1986 Chevrolet El Camino

Description

It's official, 1980s El Caminos are worthy of collector status. This 1986 El Camino was deemed worthy enough to have a fairly comprehensive restoration in 2012, and with just over 7000 miles since it was finished, it remains one of the nicest truck/cars we've seen in a long time.

Thanks to handsome two-tone paint, this El Camino looks like a far more expensive car than it is. Black and silver are a classic combination that works particularly well on the Elky's bodywork, enhancing the length of the body and highlighting the car's unique features. Lots of time clearly went into the restoration, with bodywork that's shiny and free of ripples, and getting anything built in the mid-80s to fit together this well takes dedication and patience. Thanks to modern urethane paint, it looks like a million bucks and worthy of the high-dollar restoration that got it to this state, and it's nice to see all the factory trim still in place. The stainless that highlights the fender wells provides a nice break point for the two tone colors and the band of bright trim surrounding the bed remains in excellent condition. A rubber bed mat was installed to help protect the fresh black paint underneath, so you can still put this one to work on weekends if that's your bent.

The fully restored interior is a real treat, starting with the luxurious-looking bench seat and custom billet steering wheel. The instrument panel should look familiar to anyone who drove a rear-wheel-drive GM product in the '80s, but it's in remarkably good condition following the build, with a seamless dash pad and bright gauge faces. New gray carpets and smooth door panels add to the factory-fresh feeling inside, and you'll note that this El Camino is heavily optioned with power windows and locks, A/C, and a tilt steering column. The original radio was yanked in favor of a Sony AM/FM/CD head unit in the dash and a powerful amp and speakers behind the seat. You'll be pleasantly surprised by how much room there is inside and how bright and airy it feels, despite the close-coupled two-seat body and big bed out back. This is a car that you could easily drive cross-country without feeling like it beat you up.

The engine is a 305 cubic inch Chevy V8 topped by a 4-barrel carburetor and augmented with dual exhaust. Most of the engine bay looks fairly stock, but it has all been rebuilt and refurbished in the last eighteen months or so, and the result is a car that runs like new. A chrome air cleaner and alternator add some sparkle to the all-business engine bay, which uses mostly OEM components for reliability and easy service. A 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission means this El Camino is an easy highway cruiser, and it spins a new driveshaft and the original rear end. A custom exhaust system splits into two pipes for a great sound, and you'll note that the floors are extraordinarily clean, suggesting that this car has never lived in a rust belt climate. Flashy Weld wheels measure 15x8 in front and 15x9 out back and wear 215/65/15 BFGoodrich radials.

Someone invested big to get this El Camino looking this good, and the results are certainly worth the effort. One of the nicest ones we've ever featured, it's proof that you can't fake quality. Call today!