Alan Jones from Fredericksburg, Virginia isn’t content to drive just any old commuter box to get from A to B. Rather, his daily driver of choice is this 1986 Chevy El Camino, a ride he’s kept stock and sweet with more than 300,000 miles on the clock.
Alan originally purchased his Chevy El Camino in 2000, locating the classic coupe pickup in a yard alongside several other late-model GM vehicles, including a Chevy Conversion van, a Buick Century, a Buick Roadmaster, and a GMC pickup.
The collection belonged to a sweet old couple, who were asking for $3,000 for their 1986 Chevy El Camino. At the time, the El Co had 80,000 miles on it.
“All I had in my savings was $1,800, and my wife and I were going to use that to fund our European vacation,” Alan told GM Authority in an emailed interview. “I told the little old guy with a cane that I really liked the car, but all I could offer him was $1,800. He said sorry, but he couldn’t let it go for that.”
Luckily, as Alan started to drive away, the seller had a change of heart.
“I saw the little old man with his cane at his front door waving me down with his wife standing behind him. Turns out, he would let it go for $1,800. As I picked up my jaw off the ground, I looked over his shoulder to see his wife standing in the doorway making sure the deal was going down.”
Unfortunately, Alan still had to explain why the family vacation fund had suddenly turned into this 1986 Chevy El Camino.
“Needless to say, it didn’t go over well, and that year’s ‘staycation’ was a long, grueling reminder from my spouse that we could be in Belgium if we had the money,” Alan says. “But I sucked it up, and don’t regret it!”
Outside, Alan’s Chevy El Camino is outfitted with the Sports Decor Package, which included a delete for the rocker panel molding, a painted lower front air dam, sport type mirrors, vinyl pinstriping decals, blacked-out quarter window moldings, accent paint along the lower body, and Rally Wheels.
Motivation is sourced from a 305 cubic-inch (5.0L) V8 engine mated to a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission, originally rated at 150 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 240 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm when new.
For now, the El Camino has no serious modifications or upgrades, still rocking the original factory paint, powertrain, and drivetrain. That said, Alan did feel compelled to replace a few bits and pieces, including the ratty old headliner in the cabin, a respray for the bed, and LED lighting as well. Alan also applied a fresh coat of paint to the original 15-inch wheels.
Now, this 1986 Chevy El Camino serves as Alan’s daily driver. It’s also a favorite for the local enthusiast crowd, playing the part of “a time-traveling centerpiece people love to talk about.”
“If I drove a Ferrari, or some other high-end sports car, I don’t think I could get as many compliments as I do with my truck,” Alan tells GM Authority. “Every time I drive it, I get someone commenting on it, giving me the thumbs up, or telling me about their own experience in the past with an El Camino.”
Alan has owned three Chevy El Caminos throughout his life, and can’t help but indulge in the enthusiasm. His love for the nameplate started when he was a kid with his father’s 1978 Black Knight, a vehicle which carried Alan and his buddies to the trails with their dirt bikes in back.
“I just always loved the utility of the rear end, and the car ride comfort up front. You know, like a mullet, business in front, party in the rear.”
Naturally, Alan’s passion for GM vehicles extends beyond the Chevy El Camino. Alan’s previous rides include a 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix LJ and a 1992 GMC Typhoon, both of which were sold, while a 1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is still part of his collection
“I’ve always grown up with GM products around me. My dad sold cars at a Chevy and Pontiac dealer in Jacksonville, Florida back in the late ‘60s and ‘70s, and was always bringing a different car home every week. This first thing I would do when he got home was ask him for the keys (I was 11) and go out and sit in the car for hours, listening to the radio and playing with all the cool features.”
These days, Alan shares his passion on fan sites like El Camino Central, GBody Forum, BBody Forum, and GM Longroof Forum, as well as GM Authority. Although he wouldn’t mind upgrading his 1986 Chevy El Camino with a new powerplant and drivetrain, keeping it stock is now more a matter of pride, and Alan hopes to get the original components up to 400,000 miles.
“Everybody likes to be unique. I get complements on the El Camino almost every time I’m out in it, so much so that if my wife or sons are with me and I get a thumbs up, I get a big grin and my family just rolls their eyes.”
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Comments
Love it. These things are going up in price. I remember looking at them on lots when they were new. I would prefer one over a pickup cause they ride better. My Sonoma ZQ8 was as close to car like ride for a truck I ever had. Hang on to this one, Alan
If GM was managed properly, they should have sold the Holden Ute in the states. They dropped the ball on this one like they seem to do over the years. I believe it would have been a good seller. Over the 90 years of my life, I’ve owned several El Caminos and Rancheros.
The stock wheels are 14’s, NOT 15’s, between my son and I we currently have 4 Elky’s. An 81, 305 car with a bench seat, 4 speed, 2- 87’s one of which I inherited from my Dad when he passed, and finally a hot motored 83 which is my son’s. We plan on owning more !
I know the feeling I am on my 37, the am 85 choochoo
Probly my last since l also have monte carlo aero ccoupe that matches in
I’ve got a 81 GMC Cabellero. No clue on the miles. It’s my dump runner.
I have 1983 that my grandfather bought new that has 77,000 miles, they are so cool. Don’t let it go.
Man I feel sorry for that old couple, this guy really robbed them blind by just paying $1800 for this 86 El Camino.
No one forced them to sell at that price.
I have an 86 el camino and love it i have removed all the computer controls though alot of people smile and comment it looks great i have to sell it though to pay for my wife’s surgery I’ll miss it
Always loved these but never had the chance to own one. I always found it odd that the very same vin code “H” LG4 305 4BBL was rated for 165 HP and 245 torque in the Caprice and Camaro for 1985-1986 and 170/250 for 1987 on up in the Caprice and F-body cars. Yet all G-body Monte Carlo’s and El Camino’s with the very same 305 were only rated for 150 HP and 240 torque which was the old power ratings for pre- 1985 lower compression 305 /LG4 engines. Did GM underrate the G-body 305’s or did they actually do something to hold them back?
Smaller exhaust on G bodies.
Have a 87 Elky bought it new 1/88 . Console, 4.3 lasted 17 months warranty 2nd 4.3 lasted 2years (cracked heads) bought 350 with a 700r4 built into a383 stroker. Richmond rear 3.73 gears
4 link 4 wheel beur discs. Trans Am steering box vintage air.Super blast to drive. With over drive 21mpg. Done Hot rod power tour 3 times . Will probably be buried in it. 1st Elky 69 396 black on black 4sp. Paid $2500 and sold it for $4000 2years later. Still kicking my self
I have an 87 elco that I am restoring. I Agee he stole this car for that price. Can’t blame him for not buying it.
I wish GM would bring back the El Camino or the Step Side 1/2 ton pick up.
For Sale 1987 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO 305 ALL ORIGINAL!! NUMBERS MATCHING!!! 62,000 ORIGINAL MILES! Automatic Trans. (Floor Shifter) Tilt Steering A/C Bucket Seats.