Buick GNX Meets Chevy El Camino in This 470-Horsepower Custom Build

At first glance, you might assume this car rolled straight out of a factory assembly line. But according to The Drive, the vehicle is actually a meticulously crafted custom project.

The car started life as a 1984 Chevrolet El Camino. It has since been transformed into something far more unusual: a Buick GNX–inspired ute that blends muscle-car heritage with pickup practicality. The result is a machine that looks remarkably close to something Buick might have built itself.

Attention to Detail

The builders clearly spent enormous effort achieving an authentic factory-style appearance. Nearly every visual element has been carefully recreated.

Key exterior details include:

• widened wheel arches
• bodywork styled to closely replicate the legendary GNX look
• interior upholstery featuring bright yellow-and-red Buick logos embroidered into the headrests

Viewed from the front, it’s difficult to tell that this isn’t an original Buick GNX. The hood design, fender vents, and other styling cues match the classic performance icon.

Performance and Power

Under the hood, the car no longer carries the typical 305-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) V8 once found in many El Caminos. Instead, it features a 252-cubic-inch (4.1-liter) turbocharged Buick V6.

Performance figures are impressive:

• 470 horsepower
• 428 lb-ft of torque (verified on a dynamometer)

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed THM200-R4 automatic transmission. At the back sits a genuine GNX-style 10-bolt rear axle with 3.73 gearing and a Positraction limited-slip differential.

Exterior and Interior Highlights

Walking around the car reveals a few additional styling touches. The tinted taillights, which sometimes divide opinions, work surprisingly well with the car’s dark GNX-inspired theme.

Other details include:

• 18-inch mesh-style wheels with pronounced offset
• amber front marker lights

The interior continues the theme with subtle but distinctive elements:

• a steering wheel featuring the Buick emblem
• a “GNX 487” plaque mounted on the dashboard

Overall, the build fits what enthusiasts often call an OEM+ approach—a project that looks like something the manufacturer could have produced itself.

Suspension and Driving Setup

The car isn’t just about appearance. The chassis has been upgraded to improve handling and performance.

Modifications include:

• coilover suspension
• a four-link rear suspension setup
• drilled and slotted brake rotors designed for stronger braking performance

Where It’s Being Sold

The custom GNX-style El Camino is currently located in Charlotte at the showroom of RK Motors.

At the time of publication, the highest bid had reached $41,500, though the auction still had three days remaining, meaning the final price could climb higher.

Predicting the final sale price for a build this unique is difficult. But one thing seems certain: for collectors who appreciate detailed craftsmanship and classic American performance, this custom machine may well be worth every dollar.