Last Of The Breed: 1987 Chevrolet El Camino Conquista
The El Camino could be considered a hybrid vehicle of sorts, not in the way we think of hybrids today, but sort of the grafting of a truck bed onto a car. Chevrolet was late to the party in 1959 started by Ford in 1957 with its Ranchero. The El Camino used the full-size Chevrolet body in 1959 and 1960, but in 1964 took it to the new intermediate Chevelle body where it remained. This 1987 Chevrolet El Camino Conquista is for sale here on Craigslist in Wingo, Kentucky. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Jack M. for bringing this vehicle to our attention.
The Conquista was basically a two-tone package with the rocker area below the side molding matching the roof and tops of the bed, set off with chrome trim. It seems that most of the El Caminos of this era had the Conquista package, which looks very tasteful. There is no rust on the vehicle. For some reason, an owner over the years decided to black out the grille. I would prefer the bright trim grille that originally came on the vehicle.
The interior looks very nice with a maroon cloth bench seat. The air conditioning is working but the radio is not. There are no cracks in the dash and the carpeting and seat both appear to be in good condition. The interior is very similar to what you could get in a Monte Carlo at the time.
The 4.3-liter fuel injected V-6 is mated with an automatic overdrive transmission. The vehicle has a new Flowmaster exhaust, tires, battery, and plugs. The El Camino has 68,640 miles and the seller is asking $8,000. This was the last year for the El Camino. Even though General Motors’ dropped the rear wheel drive intermediate body after 1988, the El Camino’s days were numbered by the competition in Chevrolet’s own showroom, the S-10. Only 15,589 El Caminos were produced in 1987. So if you’re looking for a classic vehicle to occasionally transport cargo, this may be the one for you.
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Comments
“Last of the Breed” and further proof Darwin was right.
A lot of people liked the Ranchero/El Camino/GMC Sprint over the years(almost 72,000 Sprint/El Caminos produced in 1973 for example) and while not produced in the numbers the bean counters would like towards the end of the ’80s, almost 16,000 in ’87 is still quite a few.
I had a ’70 Ranchero GT with a 351 Cleveland, C6 auto, posi rear and factory A/C. Black interior, bucket seats, floor console with an arrest-me red exterior and those very cool laser stripes. I’d love to have another as mine was a good performer that surprised more then one BMW or Audi, never mind some of the domestic brand performers around in the ’90s.
This El Camino seems like a pretty good deal, though the ask is a little higher than I would go. Maybe that’s because I’d rather have a Ranchero as I’m more of a Ford guy. Still, a nice one so good luck to the new owner.
In 1990 I lived in Florida and had a chance to buy a red with black stripes 70 or 71 El Camino SS 454 for 12K. I had the cash but I couldn’t pull the trigger because the wife wasn’t happy and we were moving back north and I needed to buy another house. I don’t care much for this body style of the El Camino but it sure looks nice.
Mine was an ’85. It was a very nice running and driving vehicle. At the time I owned it, I was buying and selling frequently just for fun and I sold it before I knew what I had. It’s on my list of cars that I should have kept.
The feature car looks like a very nice example. Some may think the price is too high but, I think he’s in the ballpark.
A good excuse to post a picture of my always pampered and garaged ’83 Conquista, also purchased in KY. I looked at 6 others before buying it.
Nice Elco, Fred! I’ve never owned one, but I’ve always wanted one.
I would have bought a later model w EFI throttle body just because carbs are lousy.
Only the 4.3 V-6 came with TBI from the factory, the 305 had a carb until the bitter end.
This one has my preferred drive line- The 4.3 TBI with the optional 200R4 overdrive automatic.
You have good taste, I do declare 🍻
Here is my ’78 factory 350 4 speed
Buyer beware. I think Kentucky is one of three states that has no “lemon law”. JRD
I wonder where this was sold new.
It is odd to have the Conquista package and then have the base engine.
The emblems on the tail gate bother as they are not supposed to be where they are.
I think the extra emblems on the tailgate were added by the owner. $8k seems high to me. Even if it were a 305, it would still be too expensive for me. I’m not familiar with the market on El Caminos, so it may actually bear these prices. For me, that’s too much for a car I’m going to probably do an LS swap on anyway. Its condition, I think, would warrant nothing more than an engine swap.
8K is a bit much. Mine is in similar condition, 305, and worth $5500 to $6500.
firemedic2714, I know the emblems were added by somebody, or more likely put back on after a repaint.
It just bothers me where they were put.
I was working at a Chevy store when this car was new and I know where the emblems should be, which is also why i said above it is odd to have the Conquista package with the base engine.
We only got cars with the 6 cylinder when they were strip models.
I had a ’79 EC, factory 4 speed. It had a earlier 350 and a B-W T-10 in place of the Saginaw. Ran like stink, but the body mounts were rusting out. They look much better if you remove the fender lip moldings. Wish I could get this one.
Loved this style–had a 79 Mal wagon that was headed for the junkyard with a bad eng–dropped a 300 hp 350/ 350 turbo in, plenty of power and fast, had to get rid of because the rear of the frame rotted out and could no longer tow with it. Super tow vehicle!! had 212 K when I sold it. this elco is a beauty If the 4.3 gives up time for some drop in v8 power!! Good luck to the new owner!!!
Cheers
GPC
The original “Crossover”.
I had an ’86 Conquista with V-6 a few years back – best car/light truck ever!
I hauled numerous motorcycles, garden tractors and snowmobiles (’74 Evinrude w/reverse) – perfect for loading vehicles with the low tailgate height.
Drove it thru (7) Minnesota winters – no problem.
Most don’t realize all the cargo room behind the bench seat – goes under the bed about 30″ (spare tire is stowed here on pass side)
I think the FI V-6 actually had more torque than the carbed 305 V-8.
Insignia in the wrong place, standard windows not power, price is questionable.
This would be a good buy for someone physically close to the vehicle at $4000.00
I had an 80 El Camino, had the carbureted 229 V6 with the turbo 200 trans which was a pain in the ……. I loved that car but Michigan rust ate her up faster than I could fix it. I don’t understand guys who want to swap out this perfectly good engine for more power than this light body can handle. You couldn’t step on it without going directly to buy new tires. That efi 4.3 should light up the rear tires no problem. If I had 8k I’d be on the way to KY right now. The only thing this car needs is power windows
Hell, I’m late to the party, but here’s my 87 with a crate 350!
Mine was a 65, fire engine red. Perfect. Somebody put a 350 in it. It was too fast and too light in the back end. My friend totaled it going only 60 mph in the rain. We were young and female. No longer young. Still female.
Great post Scherry! Great story.
Cheers
GPC
Restoring an 85 SS with buckets and console now stock 305 but added lumpy cam high rise Edelbrock and Holley fuel injection with header and sweet thunder side pipes and 200 d trans has B&m shift kit and shifter looking for a chop chop nose
Looking for a choo choo nose not chop chop (stupid auto correct) this car listed is a repaint for sure the chrome grill and headlight surround are painted black not original and emblems are all wrong I am looking for a cheap parts car also