Classic Car Profile: Chevrolet El Camino
Photo: Bull-Doser
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Usually, it’s easy to tell from a quick glance whether a vehicle is a car or a truck. But over the years, there have been a select number of vehicles that feature attributes of both. One such example of this body-style mashup is the Chevrolet El Camino.
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The El Camino was first introduced as a 1959 model. It was designed to compete directly with the Ford Ranchero in the unique “utility coupe” segment. Built on the Brookwood station wagon platform, the first-generation El Camino was not the success GM hoped it would be, and it was discontinued after a couple of years.
Not one to admit defeat, GM reintroduced the El Camino in 1964 as the Ranchero’s popularity remained strong. This time, the El Camino shared its underpinnings with the Chevelle. This generation offered an optional performance-oriented big block V8 engine, which was rated at 375 horsepower.
Trucks? Trucks.
The El Camino’s style over the next few years changed alongside its sibling, the Chevy Chevelle. It saw changes to the front end shape, grille, and exterior trim. The El Camino offered standard air shocks to allow drivers to carry heavier loads. The utility coupe continued to share its platform with the Chevelle until its fifth generation in 1978, when it received its own platform. Though it didn’t share underpinnings with another model, it did share styling with the Chevy Malibu.
Though the El Camino continued to draw a specific audience, it wasn’t a big money-maker for GM, and so it was discontinued in 1987 and has not been reintroduced to the Chevy lineup.
Sources: Wikipedia, H&H Classic Parts
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