Why This Car Is Special

The 1985 Chevrolet El Camino SS is already a collectible by nature — it was the final model year of a nameplate that had been part of the American automotive landscape since 1959. GM ended El Camino production after 1987, but by 1985 the writing was already on the wall, and the SS package gave buyers one of the more purposeful ways to go out with a bang. What makes this particular 1985 Chevrolet El Camino SS stand out well beyond a stock example is the Choo Choo Customs treatment it received. Choo Choo Customs, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was a GM-recognized specialty vehicle modifier during the early-to-mid 1980s that worked closely with dealers to offer factory-invoiced upgrades on G-body cars including the Monte Carlo and El Camino. Their conversions were not backyard operations — they went through official channels, which is why you still see Choo Choo badges on cars that came from legitimate dealership stock. This 1985 El Camino SS wears a factory Choo Choo Customs SS Monte Carlo nose, a custom Choo Choo hood, and a Choo Choo SS dash with factory tach, giving it a look that was never offered from a standard Chevrolet assembly line. Add a rebuilt 350 small block, Hooker headers, Flowmaster mufflers, and more than $15,000 in documented work, and this is a serious driver's vehicle with a documented specialty pedigree.

Features

- 350 cubic inch V8, rebuilt to approximately 300 horsepower - Automatic overdrive transmission - BOG Converter Lock-Up Control - Hooker Super Competition headers - Flowmaster mufflers with dual exhaust tips - Edelbrock air cleaner - Upgraded alternator - Factory Choo Choo Customs SS Monte Carlo nose - Custom Choo Choo Customs hood with hood scoop - Choo Choo SS dash with factory tachometer - SS Trim Package with SS door badges - Custom SS sport steering wheel - Tilt steering column - Cruise control - Power windows - Power door locks - Kenwood stereo system - Corvette aluminum wheels - Color-matched spray-in bed liner - Chrome rear bumper - Body kit equipped - Clean undercarriage - White exterior, black vinyl interior - Over $15,000 spent on the restoration

Mechanical

The heart of this 1985 Chevrolet El Camino SS is a rebuilt 350 cubic inch small block Chevrolet V8 making approximately 300 horsepower. The 350 is one of the most well-understood and well-supported engines in American automotive history, which makes it both a pleasure to own and easy to service anywhere in the country. This particular engine has been fitted with Hooker Super Competition headers, which are a step above typical aftermarket headers in terms of tube diameter, collector design, and overall flow efficiency. Paired with Flowmaster mufflers and exiting through dual exhaust tips, the system is built for both performance and sound quality — not just visual effect. The Edelbrock air cleaner sits atop the carbureted intake and keeps the engine bay looking purposeful rather than cluttered. Power runs through an automatic overdrive transmission, which means the car is highway-friendly and not burning unnecessary RPM at cruise speeds. The BOG Converter Lock-Up Control is a practical addition that gives the driver more direct control over torque converter lockup behavior, which can meaningfully improve fuel economy and reduce heat buildup during extended driving. An upgraded alternator ensures the electrical system keeps pace with the added load from modern accessories. The undercarriage has been inspected and is clean — an important detail on any car of this era, and one that is confirmed in the photos taken on the lift.

Interior

The interior of this 1985 Chevrolet El Camino SS is finished in black vinyl, which was a factory-appropriate choice for the SS trim level and holds up well over time compared to cloth. The centerpiece of the cabin is the Choo Choo SS dash, which replaces the standard El Camino instrument cluster with a more performance-oriented layout that includes a factory-style tachometer. This is not a generic aftermarket gauge cluster — it is a Choo Choo Customs-specific unit that was designed to integrate cleanly with the G-body dash structure. The SS custom steering wheel complements the dash and is matched with a tilt steering column, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position regardless of your height. Convenience features include cruise control, power windows, and power door locks — a complete set of driver-focused amenities that make this car genuinely usable on longer trips, not just at shows. A Kenwood stereo system handles audio duties. The SS door badges carry through the theme consistently. The overall condition of the interior appears well-kept and consistent with the level of care that went into the rest of the restoration.

Exterior

White over black is a clean, period-correct combination for the 1985 Chevrolet El Camino SS, and this car wears it well. The most significant exterior feature is the Choo Choo Customs SS Monte Carlo nose, which gives the front end a more sculpted, aero-influenced appearance compared to the standard El Camino fascia. Choo Choo Customs used the Monte Carlo SS nose because its shape was more aerodynamically refined than the stock El Camino front clip, and it integrates naturally with the body kit that surrounds the lower perimeter of the car. The custom Choo Choo hood features a functional-looking hood scoop that coordinates with the overall SS theme. At the rear, a polished chrome bumper provides a sharp contrast against the white body and keeps the tail end looking factory-quality rather than modified. The bed wears a color-matched spray-in liner, which is the right call — it protects the bed without the look of an aftermarket black liner clashing against the white exterior. The Corvette aluminum wheels are a period-correct upgrade that fit the proportions of the G-body well. The Choo Choo SS badging on the rear rounds out the exterior identity. For a 40-year-old vehicle, the body panels and finish shown in the photos present well, with the chrome bumper and lower body kit showing the attention given to the overall appearance during the restoration.

Conclusion

The 1985 Chevrolet El Camino SS was already the last of a breed when it left the factory floor. This example took that foundation and built something more specific — a documented Choo Choo Customs conversion with a rebuilt 350 V8, a serious exhaust setup, and a cabin that drives as well as it looks. More than $15,000 in restoration and modification work went into this car, and the results are visible both above and below the vehicle. If you have been searching for a 1985 Chevrolet El Camino SS with a genuine specialty pedigree and a powertrain that has been properly sorted, this one is worth a close look.

To schedule a viewing or ask questions, call Skyway Classics at 941-254-6608. We are located in Sarasota, Florida, and happy to assist buyers both local and nationwide.

Disclaimer Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.