Vehicle Description
1986 Chevrolet El Camino SS
Rumor has it that Mattel's Elliot Handler (the 'el' in Mattel),
spotted designer Harry Bradley's El Camino in the Mattel HQ parking
lot and commented, "Those are some hot wheels," coining the new
name for Mattel's line of toy cars, Hot Wheels. In fact, Elliot was
so impressed by Bradley's custom El Camino, he insisted that Mattel
use it as a model for the first line of Hot Wheels toy cars (The
Fleetside). And the rest, as they say is history.
The concept of a truck like car came from a farm woman in Australia
who wanted a truck to haul hay on the weekdays, and a car she could
drive to church on Sunday. Someone from GM thought that was a good
idea, and hence the EL Camino was born, although technically the
Ford Ranchero beat them to it (1957 as opposed to 1959) but hey
it's a great story! For consignment a Choo Choo Custom version of
the El Camino right out of a second owner's garage, very much like
the first owner who would disconnect the battery each time after it
was driven, and put it back into the A/C garage. LOW original miles
17,775 and it definitely looks and runs like it.
Exterior
Donning the Choo Choo SS appearance package add on from the
dealership, this black beauty sports exacting gaps of straight
steel panels, and save for 1 drive belt, is an ALL ORIGINAL
car/truck. In addition to the aerodynamic nose treatment that was
the primary styling feature of all El Camino SS's, all vehicles
received graphics on the fascia, doors and tailgate, and a small
chrome train logo above the glove compartment door. A limited
number of El Camino SS (this one included) had aerodynamic-ground
effect style side exhausts with rectangular chrome exits, which are
just for looks. The hood has a rear facing scoop, and in back the
bed on this example is lined with a rubber liner and has nice
chromed rail bars to easily batten down any unwieldy cargo, bungee
cords not included! Badging is all near perfect, and even the door
handle notes its "Designer Series". I've always loved this year El
Camino with its in bumper taillights, and curved rear glass, and
this one the bumper on back and that rear window are just pristine.
Aluminum snowflake bowtie badged wheels are wrapped in Good Year
Vector rubber on all 4 corners.
Interior
Much like showroom, extremely clean surfaces starting with the
swing of the doors revealing the door panels utilizing smooth
padded vinyl in deep maroon, molded plastic in excellent condition
which houses the door pull, power windows, power locks and side
view mirror joystick. Slipping inside we are greeted with mid
1980's square and rectangle design for the dash, all functioning
controls, and nicely setup for ease of operation. Cruise control is
noted, and A/C with an AM/FM/Cassette player is fitting neatly into
a square panel. Nice fade free crushed velour broadcloth with some
tuck and roll inserts and smooth maroon vinyl bolsters form up the
seating, and a large central armrest can be lifted to create an
extra passenger space. Maroon carpet floods the floors and is as
clean as a whistle, as is the tight maroon fuzzy headliner
above.
Drivetrain
Remembering the SS was for the badging ONLY, this sports its
numbers matching original engine in V8 in 305ci format. There is a
4-barrel carburetor atop, and on back the 3-speed automatic
transmission.
Undercarriage
Looking just like it spent most of its time in an A/C garage, this
undercarriage shows light surface rust on the usual suspects
(axles, shock mounts, driveshaft, rear end) but is rust free on the
floorpans, unibody and toe kick areas. Light patina is overall, but
very structurally sound.
Drive-Ability
With my box of Good-N-Plenties (referencing Choo Choo Charlie
T.I.C.) she fired right up, and I was off to the Classic Auto Mall
Test track. Here this car did very well, with plenty of power from
the 305, handled like it was on "rails" and steamed along smoothly
at cruising speed. All comfy for the interior and all functioning.
I was truly the engineer but did not have to shovel any coal
thankfully, just press the accelerator and enjoyed the track.
For 1986 only 995 of these Choo Choo packages were made, and even
less than that came from the dealer installing them. This freight
carrying "train" is all original, low low miles, and only 2
original owners who both had the same theory, drive it little and
totally baby it...Now that's classic!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
