The Final Year: 1987 Chevrolet El Camino SS
All good things come to an end and for Chevrolet’s half car/half truck, the El Camino, 1987 was it. Ford beat Chevy to the punch by two years, introducing their Ute, the Ranchero, in ’57 with Chevrolet following suit in ’59. And, the bowtie did drop out altogether from ’61 to ’63, but they owned the market from ’80 through ’87 as Ford bid adieu to the Ranchero in ’79. Even though the fifth generation El Camino (’78-’87) was little changed over its ten model-year run, let’s take a look at one of the last – I think there are many of us who wish it would return. Calling Lakewood, Washington home, this end-of-the-line pickup is available, here on eBay for a no reserve bid of $4,550 with twenty-three bids tendered as of this writing.
To be specific, this El Camino is outfitted with the optional SS Sport Decor package and not the Choo Choo SS option which wears a Monte Carlo front clip. This example looks pretty good at first glance but close-ups show lots of flat, faded, and worn-through paint. That said, almost all of the trim is still in place, the body panels are straight, there’s no sign of rust, and the chrome-plated bumpers still shine. Other than a few scratches, the cargo bed is very sound-looking. Also mentioned are the non-sagging doors, a problem that seems to dog two-door GM models from the ’60s forward.
Traditional small block V8s still provided forward motivation in ’87, and in this case, it’s a 150 net HP, 305 CI V8 engine working in concert with a four-speed automatic transmission. This Camino has labored for 165K miles but the seller claims, “Runs and drives well, handles nice“.
The interior is surprisingly clean and presents well, I’m not certain about the originality of the seating upholstery (though it could be the optional cloth choice) but it reveals no degradation or excessive wear. The carpet and door panels are following suit with a split dash cap the only interior component worthy of a demerit. A/C is in the house but blowing cold is not currently in its bag of tricks.
So, there are some things here to consider besides the fact that this El Camino is one of the last. It has SS Sport Decor (RPO Z15), limited slip performance axle (RPO G80 92), and heavy-duty suspension (RPO F41). It’s not going to be a barn-burner like Caminos of yesteryear (150 net HP is adequate but that’s about it), but it has value in its own right. My preference is still the third-gen (’68-’72) but these down-sized fifth-gen editions are welcomed by many who prefer them over the unpopular, and rarely encountered, colonnade-inspired, fourth-gen (’73-’77) version. Will this one sell? You bet, this is a no-reserve auction and there’s a hindside for every seat, right?
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Comments
If my memory serves me correct, GM produced the caminos from 64 until 87 without any more gaps?
(?) Correct:
1st ’59-’60
2nd ’64-’67
3rd ’68-’72
4th ’73-’77
5th ’78-’87
JO
You are right Jim,Cooter forgot about the early ones.
Didn’t forget Denny, I said without a gap.
There were about 200 elkys left over from ’87, which were sold as ’88s.
I read that in a couple of places but the guys on this El Camino site (link below) claim that’s an urban legend. And, I could find no reference, anywhere for an ’88 El Camino VIN. To be sold as an ’88, the VIN would need to have been changed just as it was for the ’70 Shelby Mustang, you know, the one that was really a ’69 with a front spoiler and black hood stripes added and a legally altered VIN.
https://www.elcaminocentral.com/threads/since-weve-never-seen-a-1988-el-camino.44295/
JO
I bought a nice clean ’87 in 1996 when I was living in Daytona. That was a comfortable practical car/truck. It was still in nice shape when I sold it in 2003.
Say all that you will but I always will love the 1978 through 1987 era of these elcaminos. Some want a corvette as a dream car or porsche but I would be happy to have one of these.
Love the practicality Dan. These always made sense to me. Haul the goods, and have a sporty drive same time. Love em.
I have a 85 Conquista with 81k miles. It is on nonop but I drive it about once a monty anyway. Runs good but carb is not real good. I am 2nd owner. Hope to put back on road next spring but health not too good. Getting old.
Chuck
Get well Chuck.
I had a 1979 with a boat anchor 305. Ended up selling it when I went to law school but it performed well for a daily driver, 60 miles/trip, 5 years. It looked just like my ‘79 Malibu Classic with a REALLY BIG TRUNK.
the “boat anchor” in my 87 Camino now has 747k miles on it. Maybe the anchor is the loose nut behind the wheel! you have to know that the 305 is a lover.. not a fighter. You take care of it and it takes care of you.
Nice truck.Sgould be clean being from WA.I’d definetly do a paint job.Nice it has a posi and f41.I’d get rid of the cat , and put duals on it.These were nice driving and handling vehicles.Prbably do a T chain due to mileage too.Interior looks original to me.Doors on these didn’t sag.Doors on 70-79 camaros and firebirds due to length and weight were notorious for that.I replaced quite a few door hinges on those.Usually only the drivers side .Glwts.
these door do sag! I daily drive mine and have since new. I replace pins and bushing every two years. I have manual windows and even then they are heavy ass doors.
El Caminos with the Choo Choo SS package do not use a Monte Carlo front end. They use a nose unique to the El Camino Choo Choo customs, since the Monte Carlo piece is wider than the El Camino’s stock sheetmetal.
Maybe so but the front clip still looks like a Monte Carlo.
JO
Appears to be pretty stock .
Nice job on photos in the bed.
Rust is the main killer of these cars .
This appears to need paint but no rust
The RPO sheet does not indicate G80 limited slip differential as the article suggests. It includes G92 performance axle ratio which, as I recall, replaced the standard 2.56:1 with a 3.08 gear. Not a lot of performance from a 150 hp 305 and a 3.08 axle.
You are correct, my error, post updated.
JO
check the frame where it kicks over the rear axle, I had many G body GMs that were rotten back there yet the bodies were clean and rust free.
Hi, my name is Jimmy. The successful winning bidder has never contacted me after winning the auction.
If you were interested in purchasing this El Camino, please call me 253-625-4964 jim