Joined
·
50 Posts
Does anyone know if the records you can purchase from GM Media Archives provide information about ChooChoo SS cars or just the options that were installed at the GM Factory?
SS
SS
Yeah, I can not find my trim tag on the wiper cowl. I have an 86. I can't find a build sheet anywhere and without the trim tag and no help from GM's web site, I have no clue what actually came with my Elky.![]()
The Choo Choo package was a 'conversion package' offered by Chevrolet similar to how SLP modified the SS Camaros and Pontiac Trans Am WS6's during the 1990's - 2000's. It's not considered a dealer option because Chevrolet actually contracted with Choo Choo to build these El Caminos (it was not something added on later by a dealer). They had to be "Re-Certified" when completed and given a door tag. The dealer's had nothing to do with the conversions...they would order a Choo Choo El Camino from either Chevrolet or Choo Choo directly, and they would be delivered to the dealer completed. Also, dealers were not allowed to send standard El Caminos that were already on their lot to Choo Choo to be converted...the El Caminos turned into Choo Choos had to be dropshipped directly from the Chevrolet plant.Regarding the Mexican production...any car with a VIN starting with '3' is by definition built in Mexico (or has a stolen VIN Tag!).
I was fairly sure that the Choo Choo was a dealer option and not something that would be listed on a factory build sheet, I appreciate the confirmation!
Also, good to know that the Mexico cars lack documentation relative to US or Canada built GMs.
Any one know if Honest Charley hung onto all the ChooChoo build records when he took over down there?
SS
Now if only the GM Archives had Mexico plant build sheets...The Choo Choo package was a 'conversion package' offered by Chevrolet similar to how SLP modified the SS Camaros and Pontiac Trans Am WS6's during the 1990's - 2000's. It's not considered a dealer option because Chevrolet actually contracted with Choo Choo to build these El Caminos (it was not something added on later by a dealer). They had to be "Re-Certified" when completed and given a door tag. The dealer's had nothing to do with the conversions...they would order a Choo Choo El Camino from either Chevrolet or Choo Choo directly, and they would be delivered to the dealer completed. Also, dealers were not allowed to send standard El Caminos that were already on their lot to Choo Choo to be converted...the El Caminos turned into Choo Choos had to be dropshipped directly from the Chevrolet plant.
You are correct in that the Choo Choo option will not appear on the factory build sheet as an RPO code. But, on the bottom left corner of a Choo Choo El Camino's build sheet the final delivery address will list Choo Choo Customs and their address in Tennessee as the "shipped to" destination. So in an indirect way, the build sheet will tell you if it is a real Choo Choo.
I've done a lot of research on Choo Choos and I have become friends with an executive at Honest Charley's who used to be an executive at Choo Choo. He has been very kind and generous to me with regards to providing me with information, as well as some original Choo Choo photographs and documents. As far as build records with the recorded VIN numbers, im pretty sure he said he didn't have them anymore, but ill ask the next time I speak with him.
That sounds possible because by mid 1988 Chverolet was no longer producing the El Camino, and they would not have been sending any more new ones to Choo Choo for conversion. So I wouldn't be surprised if Choo Choo started doing customer conversions after their contract with Chevrolet was over (afterall, im sure they had a bunch of spare noses and parts lying around). Do you know if they gave your friend's El Camino a Re-Certification door tag? The door tag was required when selling it as a new vehicle at a dealership, so Im curious if they issued him one seeing as he had already owned the vehicle. Thanks for the info.He says he took it to CCC and they did the conversion for about $2400.00 in the summer of 1988.