ABSOLUTELY AWESOME, HIGH END CUSTOM, 1985 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO...SHOW WINNER, AMAZING STREET MACHINE, LOADED WITH GOODIES...BUILT 406 V8, 700R4 AUTOMATIC, 4 WHEEL DISC, A/C, AND MUCH MORE....ONE OF A KIND, READY TO SHOW AND GO!!!
Once upon a time a man named Pete bought a beautiful 1969 Camaro Indy Pace car from a guy with a very nice collection of cars. A few years later, in 2003 Pete decides he would love to have an '80's El Camino and remembered that the guy who sold him the Camaro had a completely rust free one so he checked to see if the guy still had it and would be willing to sell it to him. Days later Pete was driving the 1985 El Camino home. Pete loved the El Camino and drove it quite a bit for a few years and then got that itch. If you are a true car guy or car gal you might know what that itch feels like. Times were good and the mortgage banking business was treating him well so Pete decided to scratch that itch and decided he was going to take this rust free, base El Camino and build himself a one of a kind street machine that he would be proud to take to the shows and would also be a blast to drive.
This was not Pete's first rodeo and he had gone through this process quite a few times in the past with a number of beautiful cars. The end result was always the same. He would pay professional builders top dollar to build him what he wanted. It always cost way more then expected and take way longer than he hoped. When it was finished, which always seemed to take years and not months, he would take the car to shows, win trophies, and then realize that the build process was the thrill for him so he would sell the car, lose money and search for the next one. This was not a formula he loved, but as many of you can probably relate to, this was his passion and he loved it. He did not build the cars expecting to turn a profit and of course, as his wife likes to remind him, he never does.
Well, this gorgeous 1985 El Camino is the latest car in Pete's story. The build on this one took about 6 years to complete and was completed in 2012. As with all of his builds it was almost too nice to drive but he built it to drive and show so that is what he did, collecting quite a few trophies for several years. And, as the story goes, Pete has now had his fun with the El Camino and is ready to pass it along to the next lucky owner....maybe you??!!! Oh, and to be clear, Pete knows he will be losing money again as he has way, way more invested in this beautiful street machine then what it can be bought for.
This custom 1985 El Camino is still in show condition and runs and drives as good as the day it was completed. While he did drive it, it only has about 700 miles on it since the build was completed so the drivetrain has basically just been broken in. He kept an extensive photo history of the build from the day he got it to the day of completion. If you appreciate a truly custom build with quality components, built by professionals, that will stand the test of time and will be a great investment that you can drive and enjoy then sit back and enjoy because this unique, show stopping Black and Crimson Pearl '85 El Camino is one you do not want to miss out on.
The restoration was a complete frame off build and all new body mounts were installed when the body was re-installed on the frame. The owner of the car went through quite a few renderings until he finalized the paint scheme which is a gorgeous combination of Black Pearl over Crimson Pearl separated by silver pearl flames with metal flake that fade darker towards the rear. Professionally pinstriped along the flames and on the hood and tailgate all buried under the final clear coat. Numerous custom modifications to the body to give it a sleek, more refined look than the stock original. To smooth out the body, door handles, antennae hole, side marker lights and tailgate were all shaved and filled. Custom hood vents were installed pulling cool air to the engine bay and providing a really slick look. Corvette side mirrors were installed that fit the lines of the car beautifully. The front end was also given a unique and sleek look using a modified Choo-Choo customs fiberglass nose and finished off with a custom Billet grille. Custom rear roll pan with steel rear impact support mounted to chassis. A Gaylord hard Tonneau cover was installed with a water trough in front of the bed which weeps water into rear wheel wells (not that the car has ever seen the rain of course!). As you will see in the photo tour of the body the body panel fit is fantastic and the paint quality is top notch. Keep in mind the restoration was finished about 5 years ago so there are a few very small blemishes that can only be seen upon very close inspection and most people will think it is flawless. I am talking about a few minor chips that have been touched up, a minor scratch on the front valance and a hairline scratch on the passenger rear quarter panel that can barely be seen. Touch up paint in both colors will come with this El Camino. All of the glass is in excellent condition and of course all weather stripping was replaced at time of restoration. This '85 El Camino is definitely ready for the shows and cruise-ins and will continue to win its share of trophies along the way if that is what you enjoy.
To match the custom beauty of the exterior the owner of this El camino Stephens Custom Upholstery in Buford, GA designed and fabricated an absolutely amazing interior that is not only gorgeous to look at but is extremely comfortable, functional and fits the overall look of this build. The entire cabin was insulated with Dynamite including the doors, floors, roof and storage compartment behind the seats. Slide in to the custom two tone leather and upholstered bucket seats that with custom built bolsters and custom seat mounts for added comfort and support. Sleek custom door panels with very high end hardware for the door handles and window cranks. Custom CNC seat belt guides show you the kind of attention to detail the owner was conscious of during the build and with no expense spared. Custom rear storage compartment behind the seats with custom pull out access drawer with custom aluminum battery box housing the Optima battery and MSD box. Custom Gauge cluster housing with Classic Industries Gauges. All removable dash panels were covered in real carbon fibre. Steering Column rebuilt to remove the column shifter and a custom center console houses the Shift-works floor shifter. Leather wrapped Billet Specialties steering wheel. Visors re-upholstered to match headliner and seat inserts. Great sounding Pioneer sound system. Cold Air-conditioning awaits you when needed. The list goes on and on and everything is photo documented in the binder that will come with the car. The overall condition of the interior is near flawless and it looks and smells like new.
The bed area is also a work of art and extremely functional for traveling to the shows. The Gaylord Hard Tonneau cover locks in place and when opened reveals a very well thought out storage compartment. OF course it has been painted in Crimson pearl to match the exterior and lined with carpeting. Spare tire mounted to bed floor with custom cover. A 3 door custom storage box can be used to carry cleaning supplies, chairs, a cooler or anything else you may need. High quality hardware used everywhere. The gas filler door was shaved from the body and reversed so it is located in a hidden compartment in the storage unit. You will want to pop this open at the shows to show it off!!
A build of this level is not complete without a top notch drive train dressed out to show and go!!! This custom El Camino will not disappoint when it comes to what is under the hood and what keeps it handling like it is on rails and stopping on a dime. The motor was built by Bontempo Brothers with the goal being a build with plenty of horsepower to set you back in your seat but with manners that would make it enjoyable to cruise in. A new 406 Dart Sportsman block was decked and honed. Block and pistons were completely balanced. Fuel flows through the Edelbrock 750 4bbl mounted on the Endurashine Edelbrock aluminum high rise manifold. Edelbrock Etec aluminum heads were ported. A great street cam upgrade, roller rockers, custom valve covers by Zoops with carbon fibre inserts, and ceramic coated headers round things out. Sweet tone resonates out the true dual exhaust with Dynomax mufflers for a throaty tone under acceleration and mild tone at idle.Horsepower is estimated at 375-400 hp but the owner admits he has never tapped in to the power as he drives like a grandmother. Great March pulley system and updated A/c compressor. Top of the line stainless steel and braided lines were used throughout. Power is transferred via the 700R4 Automatic overdrive transmission that was rebuilt and transplanted from a 1991 Corvette chosen for its proven strength and reliability. This transmission shifts like butter and a heavy duty race car transmission cooler was installed. Driveshaft was shortened by 1" and custom balanced. She runs nice and cool thanks to the oversized 500hp radiator.
Handling is amazing thanks to the combination of the completely rebuilt quick change power steering box, Eibach lowering springs, SPCC adjustable tubular upper control arms, SPCC custom one piece stabilizer bar and more up front. In back the Grand National rear end with 3:42 geared posi and new Moser Axles get the power to the ground. Boxed lower control arms, Eiback 3" lowering springs, Hotchkiss rear stabilizer, Bilstein shocks and of course all new bearings and seals. This El Camino stops when and where you want it to with the Power 4 wheel SSBC slotted disc brakes with powder coated rotors. Lets not forget the gorgeous set of 17" Billet Specialties wrapped in Firestone Firehawk rubber that are like new.
This baby runs and drives as great as she looks and I may have missed some of the components but rest assured everything was done to a very high quality and is either new or was completely rebuilt. In fact, the owner recently noticed a few drops on his garage floor so he had the transmission dropped and put in all new seals. As you will see the engine bay was painted to match the exterior and has lots of bling that will have folks crowding around at the shows.
Here is a look under the hood and under the car so you can see just how clean she is.
Make sure you also watch and listen to the video that follows to hear how great she sounds!!!
Asking price is $31,500 and serious buyers can call me at 770-359-8400
