Chevrolet El Camino 5th Gen
The final generation El Camino blends car-like G-body handling with light truck utility, creating an affordable and practical classic. SS and Choo Choo Customs variants are the most collectible and command the highest prices.
Find one with Spotter →Chevrolet El Camino 5th Gen sold for a median of $11,000 over the last 12 months, based on 57 auction sales; the middle 50% sold between $8,000 and $16,500. 2,159 currently for sale.
Listings
The 5th generation El Camino, produced from 1978 to 1987, was the final and longest-running version of Chevrolet's car-based truck. Downsized to the new G-body platform shared with the Malibu, it was lighter and more efficient than its predecessor. Engine choices were modest, typically featuring a V6 or the 305 ci small-block V8, focusing more on usability than outright performance.
Collectors are drawn to its unique style, practicality, and affordability. It's a classic that you can comfortably drive and use for light hauling. The most desirable versions are the SS models, which offered sportier appearance packages, and the aftermarket Choo Choo Customs conversions from 1983-1987, featuring an aerodynamic Monte Carlo SS-style front end.
With an average sale price under $13,000, the market for the 5th gen El Camino is very accessible. Project vehicles can be acquired for just a few hundred dollars, while pristine, low-mileage SS or Choo Choo examples can sell for over $37,000. Most sales, however, fall in the $10,000 to $20,000 range for clean, driver-quality cars.
Buying Tips
- G-body frames are prone to rust, especially in the rear frame rails over the axle and at the body mounts. Inspect these areas carefully.
- The 305 V8 is reliable but not powerful; many have been swapped. Check for signs of overheating and listen for valvetrain noise.
- Interior plastics are brittle and often crack or fade from sun exposure. Sourcing replacement dash pads and trim can be difficult and costly.
- Check the bed floor and the 'smuggler's box' integrated into it for rust-through, as water often gets trapped under bed liners.
- Confirm the authenticity of SS models. Many base models have been cloned, so check for correct VINs and RPO codes if possible.
Prices range from as little as $200 for project cars to over $37,000 for pristine, low-mileage SS and Choo Choo Customs models.
3,531 Chevrolet El Camino 5th Gen vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars, with 2159 currently live.
Data sourced from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, eBay Motors, PCarMarket, and Collecting Cars. Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Chevrolet El Camino 5th Gen cost?
Over the last 12 months, Chevrolet El Camino 5th Gen sold for a median of $11,000 across 57 auction sales tracked on Hypercars; the middle 50% sold between $8,000 and $16,500. There are 2,159 currently for sale.
How many Chevrolet El Camino 5th Gen listings are for sale right now?
There are 2,159 Chevrolet El Camino 5th Gen listings currently live across auctions, dealers, and marketplaces tracked by Hypercars.