The term parts bin special is used to describe cars built by mixing and matching an array of existing off-the-shelf parts to create a new combination with reduced engineering costs. There are many noteworthy examples in classic car history — for example, the Shelby AC Cobra started out as a British AC Ace with a Windsor V8 from a Ford Fairlane, and the original Mustang was mostly constructed with parts from the Ford Falcon. General Motors also had many examples of this, from the GMC Syclone to the '94-96 Impala SS. This philosophy led one enthusiast to raid the proverbial 1980s GM parts bin and fuse a 1984 Chevy El Camino with a 1987 Buick GNX, calling the result the "Grand Camino."
While the idea of a Buick GNX with a truck bed might sound crazy at first, the lineage of the El Camino and Grand National is a lot closer than you might think. Both cars were built on the same G Body platform shared by the Regal, Malibu, Monte Carlo, Cutlass, and Grand Prix, so certain components are interchangeable.
This '84 El Camino was recently listed for auction on the website Cars and Bids, and the listing includes a gallery of highly detailed photos showing all the attention to detail used in this one-of-a-kind build. From the front, it looks like a perfect replica of the famous 1987 Buick GNX, but once your eyes move back past the front fenders, you'll notice major differences.
Flares were added to the rear fenders to match the Grand National's front end, and of course the entire body was painted sleek gloss black. A set of 18-inch GNX-style mesh wheels also looks right at home on this build.
The bed features an aftermarket tonneau cover with integrated spoiler, as well as a set of smoked taillights blended into the blacked-out rear bumper.
Above: While the '84 El Camino came with lights mounted in the rear bumper, this builder swapped them for a set of smoked Grand National lights to complete the look.
The fully carpeted and covered bed offers secure storage for anything from golf clubs to lumber and home improvement supplies. The El Camino already blended practicality and muscle-car fun, and this build takes it up another notch.
Of course, no GNX tribute would be complete without a turbocharged V6. This El Camino has a Grand National 3.8L bored and stroked to 4.1L and equipped with a Precision turbo, Holley EFI, and free-flowing dual exhaust. The setup produces 469 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels, according to an included dyno graph.
The engine is paired with a TH200-4R four-speed automatic transmission and GNX 10-bolt rear axle with 3.73 gears and Positraction. Handling and braking are also improved by way of Aldan coilover suspension, a four-link kit, and drilled and slotted disc brakes with hydroboost.
Many enthusiasts would have stopped there and called this project complete, but this builder was dedicated enough to convert the interior as well. It features black carpet, GNX bucket seat upholstery, a Buick steering wheel, correct instrument cluster with Stewart-Warner gauges, and even a numbered GNX plaque on the passenger side dash.
We love this project because it seems like something GM engineers could've easily created in some alternate timeline. Most of the parts were already in production for the GNX and El Camino, and both vehicles shared the G-Body platform, so why not combine them?
Above: GM's Australian branch used similar logic to create the Holden VF Commodore SS ute, based on the vehicle Americans know as the 2014-17 Chevrolet SS.
The Cars and Bids auction for the Grand Camino ended at $85,000 without the reserve price being met, so it appears that this car isn't going to a new home just yet. Still, we're glad we got to see this creative build. Some may call it a parts bin special, but there's nothing wrong with that!
Classic Industries is the world's leading source for reproduction parts for the Buick Regal, Grand National, and GNX. Our site features thousands of parts and accessories for these classic vehicles, from complete body panels to hard-to-find items like trim and gaskets. Click the button below to browse our selection of Buick Regal and GN parts: