Survivor Conquista: 1986 Chevrolet El Camino
I’ve always been an El Camino fan and was thrilled to learn back in 2008 that such a vehicle, this time with a Pontiac nameplate, might once again appear on options lists. It was a modified import from GM’s Australian subsidiary Holden and would be based on their Ute. Well, the economy got bad, the plan got dropped, Pontiac got dropped, and then Holden got the bum’s rush – a perfect, and seemingly typical GM plan…Well, I’ll have to live in the past, and today it’s with a 1986 Chevrolet El Camino in “Conquista” high trim. It is claimed to have only experienced 33K miles of use and is located in Thomasville, Georgia. Interested bidders will find it here on eBay where it’s available for a current bid of $10,100 with the reserve not yet met.
My favorite Camino series has always been the third generation version (’68-’72) and I must admit some dismay when the gen-four (’73-’77), those based on the “Colonnade” A-body car, were introduced. Hope was initially restored with the fifth generation (’78-’87) primarily because of its right size and square lines – they immediately reminded me of the ’64-’65 models and you could even get one outfitted with a four-speed manual transmission – at least through ’80. Unfortunately, two-tone paint jobs, hood ornaments, wire wheel covers, weak engines, cheap plastics, and cheesy upholstery became the order of the day and I soon lost interest. Regardless, the fifth-generation Camino sold well, at least through 1981 but then sales started to falter. By ’86, El Camino’s second to the last year of existence, sales were down to 21K units, and in its swan-song year of ’87, sales almost halved to 13K copies – the unique half car/half truck arrangement was gone for good. The originator of the concept, Ford, gave up on their Ranchero in ’79.
Today’s find is a Conquista trim level as denoted by badging, trim, and the two-tone gray and silver finish. Assuming that the mileage claim is legit, that, plus garage storage, explains its condition – it shows very well. The seller mentions that the finish is original and, “THIS IS A TRUE TIME CAPSULE! THE ORIGINAL OWNER LIVES AROUND THE CONER FROM MY HOUSE!!“. So, I guess it’s a flip. The cargo bed shows just the slightest evidence of use so I’d say that this Camino has experienced a rather relaxed life.
Power is provided by a 150 net HP, 305 CI V8 engine, working in concert with a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The seller doesn’t really elaborate regarding this Chevy’s running and driving characteristics but does state, “I WOULD DRIVE THIS THING ANYWHERE!!!!“. He does mention the inclusion of the F41 suspension option and that’s a definite help with road manners.
Again, owing to this Ute’s low mileage and proper garaging, the split bench seat fabric upholstery is still in fine nick as are the rest of the interior plastics. I’ve seen Caminos of this generation where weather and age have essentially disintegrated the interior and it hasn’t taken too many years for that to happen. One nice feature of this Chevy is its optional gauge package.
There you have it, while it’s not my favorite there are plenty who will say “Otay!”, owing to this El Camino’s low mileage, condition, and 5.0 liter V8 engine. There are only two bids so far so we’ll have to watch the bidding over the next four days, hopefully, the seller hasn’t gotten stars in his eyes with the reserve. So tell me, of the five El Camino generations, which one is your favorite?
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Comments
Apparently you can still get a Pontiac El Camino if you settle for an Australian version. Jim O’Donnell wrote up one “barn find” back in 2020
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a32240610/pontiac-g8-sport-truck-el-camino/
https://barnfinds.com/2004-pontiac-gto-sports-truck/
I have had visions (or delusions) of swapping a Pontiac front end on an El Camino or a Caballero, has anyone actually done that?
Forgot that I wrote that one…
JO
Yes, I have seen 66-67 Tempest front clips on same years El Camino for an El GTO look, also Buick and Olds internediate front clips on similar year Caminos.
A same-generation Pontiac to ElCamino/Sprint/Caballero front clip swap on the last two generations is easy, Chevrolet and Pontiac were sharing door skins on their A-bodies. An Oldsmobile or Buick swap will require a lot of skilled bodywork, as those door skins are not the same, so it’ll take some work to blend the differing feature lines.
I like this generation, and this example has options that I didn’t think were available – the larger capacity gas tank and remote RH mirror. I thought those were long gone by ’86. At the beginning of this generation, even a power seat and antenna were offered.
A friend of my father had something unique, a ’79 with the 3.3L V6 and a 3 speed on the floor, in a pale yellow with matching rallys and white walls.
I’ll take this one with the factory OD, tach and F41.
Having owned a ’71 SS454 El Camino, I must say it was my favorite. 4 sp, buckets, console, and a/c, what’s not to love. I also owned an ’87 with that POS 305, bench, column shift, and a/c. Really liked that truck.
Never liked these, no room, bed tiny, never made a 4×4, crappy engine, could not call it a car. I am a diesel 8 foot bed extra cab 4×4 kind of guy.
No one said you had to like it. Don’t bother those of us that do like them. And while you’re at it, go rain on someone else’s parade.
My opinion you Creep!
Acz , probably forgot to take his meds , your opinion is as valuable as any others …
Reminds me of the movie “Enemy of the State”, with Will Smith and Gene Hackman. Hackman drove an ElCo of similar vintage, but when he punched the pedal while trying to escape, it sounded like something far more powerful than a 305 under the hood!
Loved the Colonade versions. These were too teeny tiny for my tastes. And gutless.
Loved the looks of these had 4 or 5 of them. The downside was the gutless small block V8 or worse V6. Vehicles couldn’t get out of their own way.
Easily solved. Jack up the carburetor and slide a 350/400/383 or whatever under it.
Had a 79. Gutless from a stop but would go like he’ll from 80mph thanks to those 2.47 rear gears
Mother bought a 1979 brand new and it went through three auto transmissions in seven months. Her first and only GM vehicle. Third time she took it in she told them to keep it and went across the street and got a ’79 F-150 that hung around for about 18 years. I still see these around quite often in all conditions so maybe she just got a Monday or Friday car. This one looks fantastic and I’m willing to bet GM worked out the kinks by the time this one rolled off the line.
3 trannies in 7 months? What’s the common denominator?
Just asking.
I restored a 72 El Camino SS in the early 2000’s. Interesting combination from the GM parts bin. The full floor pan was from the Chevelle station wagon, with the rear passenger area station wagon footwells located under the front of the El Camino cargo bed. There is a cover panel over it in the front section of the bed that sealed up poorly. As a result, the footwells would fill with water and start rusting through, eventually getting into the cab floors. Spent several hours making sure it was tightly sealed down with modern sealants before the final paint work.
The other, more common, cause of floor rot was/is the windshield leaking and the water going down under the carpeting and staying in the jute pad and continuing to rot the floor.
I have an 1985 Conquista California car that has 81K Miles. I am 2nd owner. Drives well but needs a lot of work. No rust or dents but paint and int are not good. At 77 years old I am slowing down so maybe I should just part with it. Any body know what it is worth?
Typically worth what a person offers for it and you accept .
I prefer the’68-‘72 Elkys too because of their timeless sleek design. Given how clean this is I wouldn’t be surprised to see this sell for $20k; I don’t know what the reserve is but I’ll pass on this one because of its weak engine, and it looks too nice for an LS swap.
My Dad had the Royal Knight trim version of the El Camino. It had a 305 and automatic. Being a Canadian car and driven all year round, it finally succumbed to the salt worm around 250,000 miles. Still running…it had seen towing a 24ft sailboat, multiple whole house moves, lumber transport while building his retirement home and many other jobs more suited for the 3/4ton pickup he replaced it with!
My mother hated it and my wife says there’s one model of car I’m not allowed to have…but this one looks like a beauty! In the interests of a happy marriage, good luck to the seller!
Troy never ask for approval ask for forgiveness 2. The bed of the truck fits a full sized air mattress nicely. 🛌
I believe the GMC version had the 5.7 V8 correct me if I’m wrong.
I love these. I feel like you’d need to wear a Captain’s hat or maybe a Mr. Furley jumpsuit.
I have a GMC Caballero Amarillo same year as this almost identical. Except a 383 stroker from GM a gear stars r 400 moiser 12 bolt end and four wheel disc brakes wilwood every factory option and all work.great everyday car and lots of fun.super reliable did the power tour with it and drove it to Florida for the winter from Canada.grab stuff like this while you can
I am original owner of a 1987 El Camino. Its my daily driver. I have now driven it 750k miles. What everyone calls a POS 305 is original except for 1 water pump at 150k miles.. 2 fuels pumps and 3 carbs. It does not burn oil.. it still pulls my 16′ flatbed trailer loaded with whatever i need to haul. It still gets 22 mpg.. I’ve also replaced the 2004r transmission twice. One was a stage 2 Monster Transmission that was a pos and they would not honor their warranty. I had a local shop rebuild the trans to handle 400hp.. only because i use it to haul things. I installed all of the F41 upgrades and in spring rear air bags. You have to use these cars for how they were intended. They were never intended to be a tire burner. My car is a lover .. not a fighter and that’s how it has been treated and why it has lasted so long.
Wow, Bolivar! 750k on any vehicle is amazing to me. We have a 1983 Mercedes diesel with 376k under its belt and still starts and runs great. I thought that was pretty impressive. Nope not in your El Camino’s league. Keep on trucking.
never really liked the cheb side of the mrkt but do these. Love all the 3rd gen or last of the chevelles (again, not others). Strange of me, even hada ’68 “108” van~
This is brash’n hangs out there, then to be a ‘ute’ is even more in ur face. I love the big ol square grill, the straight lines, and esp the curved head board’n rear glass. ‘80s malaise’? (even a site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1649370045277547
long live the malibu classic, this, that waggy, etc.
Short live the snippiness above.
WHATEVER ^^ said. I’ve heard folks that speak like they have a mouthful of marbles but never have i saw them type like they speak.. Can we please get an interpreter for Chrlsful?
He does it on purpose.
I have an ’86 El Camino conquista like this one, mine was sold new at Garanty motors in LA. I bought it off the original owner and it’s beautiful through out, I love it! I am so tired of the term 305 is a pos and if someone doesn’t like that engine then change it to something else!
Brian:
I would have to agree with you, I know of no foibles with Chevrolet’s 305 engine. As with most auto engines in this era, they were straddled with emission control components and adjustments and not exactly powerhouses (though the port fuel injected Z28 version was pretty stout). In ’76 I was assigned a new ’76 Malibu company car that was so powered, and being a young’un, I did some rather stupid, but entertaining things with that car. Other than a failed HEI module during the warranty period, a quick fix, I never had an issue with that engine – and believe me, I pushed it hard.
JO
I stand corrected on the 305 V8 aka 5.0. I had a 1987 Z28 IROC that earned me 3 tickets the first week I owned it. The last one from a state trooper when I was trying to merge onto the freeway. He was driving a turbo Mustang and I handed him his rear end. He ticketed me for excessive speed. He got the last laugh.