1986 Chevrolet El Camino Conquista

Description

It's official, 1980s El Caminos are worthy of collector status. This 1986 Chevrolet El Camino Conquista was deemed worthy enough to preserve for 32 years and it certainly attracts a lot of attention on the street. Use it as-is, give it some upgrades, or put it to work; at this price, what do you have to lose?

Thanks to handsome two-tone blue paint, this El Camino looks like a far more expensive car than it is. It appears that the paint is original or maybe an older respray, and it's a combination that works particularly well on the Elky's bodywork, enhancing the length of the body and highlighting the car's unique features. It has clearly been properly maintained with no signs of being a work truck, and seeing anything built in the mid-80s to fit together this well is a surprise. And unlike many of its siblings, this one doesn't have any questionable modifications or upgrades, 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. There's also a fresh spray-in bed liner, so you can still put this one to work on weekends if that's your plan.

The mostly original interior is a real treat, starting with the luxurious-looking bench seat and 2-spoke steering wheel. The instrument panel should look familiar to anyone who drove a rear-wheel-drive GM product in the '80s, and this Elky includes an optional tachometer which is always a nice find. Surprisingly nice blue carpets and smooth door panels add to the well-kept 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 modern AM/FM/CD head unit in the dash. 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 making a reasonable (for 1986) 150 horsepower. Most of the engine bay looks fairly stock, and all the factory running gear is still in place, more evidence that this car has been well maintained but never modified or abused. A chrome air cleaner adds some sparkle to the all-business engine bay, and it's full of mostly OEM components for reliability and easy service. You could spend a few hours giving it a deep cleaning and really make a difference, but if you just want to drive, it's ready to go! An automatic transmission means this El Camino is an easy highway cruiser, and it spins the original rear end with highway gears inside. 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 chrome wheels with baby moon hubcaps add a slightly custom look and carry 205/75/14 blackwall radials.

The day of the El Camino is here, so whether you want to use this one for fun or work, it remains a great choice. Call today!