5k: Turbo Diesel F010: 1986 Toyota Camry-amino
It has been a good week for custom El Camino lovers, first the Porsche 92-Ute featured this morning and now this Toyota Camry diesel came to us from a tip from Charles D. The V10 generation Toyota Camry was available with a diesel engine, but it was never available as a pickup truck. However, if you are in the market for a cheap used light duty diesel pickup…it doesn’t get much cooler than this. Find this 1986 Toyota Camry-amino diesel for sale in Galax, VA for $3,600 via craigslist.
The Toyota Camry was sold in the US market as a 4-door sedan and 5-door liftback. This one has been converted into a small pickup and aside from being front wheel drive, it is probably very usable compared to a similar vintage small pickup. The 2.0 liter 2C-TL turbo diesel is good for 88 horsepower, but should return phenomenal fuel economy.
A quick glance at the rear end of this Camry-amino shows that the tailgate doesn’t drop down, so it will be difficult to load large items like riding mowers or go-karts into the back, but keeping the stock taillights and maintaining some frame rigidity makes sense.
See a Toyotachero that will get better fuel economy? Not bloody likely. tips@dailyturismo.com
I would install a low-profile pop-up camper, as the no tailgate thing makes the rear end tough to use. I bet the A/C in this thing would cool the cab down in a big hurry since the volume of the interior is halved.
lESSEEEE……got nothing to do today so I guess I'll take my metal saw out and chop the assend of my Camry off……..Coming honey……..
I never have understood why people who go to the trouble of building an ElCamino tribute never seem to make a functioning rear gate. Yes, I get that it needs some serious metalworking skills, but still…
OTOH this one looks pretty clean and well proportioned. The roof styling actually works here. At 3600.00 it isn't stupid high priced, either.
The rear window structure looks like it may come from an early 80's Toyota pickup. I like Mr. Liss's idea with a camper shell this thing would be more use able.
If you had the camper shell idea pre-sawzall it might have come out entirely differently, more like a Nissan Pulsar.
I just saw this exact car parked on the street in Durham, NC. Near downtown.