Chevrolet El Camino

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Chevrolet El Camino

Manufacturer	General Motors Corporation Chevrolet Division
Model year(s)	1959–1960, 1964-1987
Class	Coupe utility
Layout	FR layout

The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupe utility vehicle produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors from 1959 through 1960, with production resuming in 1964 and continuing through 1987. El Camino was produced in response to the success of its rival Ford Ranchero. El Camino was based on corresponding Chevrolet car lines, though in North America, the vehicle is classified and titled as a truck. It has a variant, the GMC Sprint later named the GMC Caballero from 1978-1987. In Mexico, it was also sold as the Chevrolet Conquistador.

Contents 1 History 1.1 1959-1960 1.2 1964-1967 1.3 1968-1972 1.4 1973-1977 1.5 1978-1987 2 El Camino today 3 Gallery 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] History

[edit] 1959-1960

First generation

1959 Chevrolet El Camino
Production	1958–1960
Model year(s)	1959-1960
Engine(s)	235 cu in (3.9 L) I6 283 cu in (4.6 L) V8 348 cu in (5.7 L) V8

The first El Camino was produced for the 1959 model year (two years after the Ford Ranchero) and, like the Ranchero, was based on an existing and modified platform, namely the new-for-1959 Brookwood two-door station wagon and corresponding sedan delivery variant; unlike those versions, the El Camino was available with any trim level and drivetrain option corresponding to the car line, including that of the Chevrolet Impala.

This was the year of the completely redesigned, longer, lower and wider full-sized Chevrolet. It sold in fewer numbers than the more conservatively styled Fords, so too did the El Camino in comparison to the Ranchero, with 22,246 built the first year. The similar but less flamboyant 1960 model sold even less at 14,163 units, at which point Chevrolet discontinued the model.

[edit] 1964-1967

Second generation

1964 Chevrolet El Camino
Production	1963–1967
Model year(s)	1964-1967
Assembly	Atlanta, United States Baltimore, United States Fremont, United States Framingham, United States Kansas City, United States Oshawa-Ontario, Canada
Platform	A-body
Engine(s)	327 cu in (5.4 L) V8 396 cu in (6.5 L) V8
Transmission(s)	2-speed automatic 3-speed automatic 3-speed manual 4-speed manual
Related	Chevrolet Chevelle

Four years later, Chevrolet re-introduced the El Camino, based on the Chevrolet Chevelle. The 1964 model was identical to the Chevelle forward of the B-pillars, but Chevrolet marketed the El Camino as a utility model and Chevelle's most powerful engines were not available. Initial engine offerings included six-cylinder engines of 194 and 230 cubic inches with horsepower ratings of 120 and 155, respectively. The standard V8 was a 283 cubic-inch Chevy small block with two-barrel carburetor and 195 horsepower (145 kW) with optional engines including a 220-horsepower 283 with four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. Added to the El Camino's option list during the course of the 1964 model year were two versions of the 327 cubic-inch small block V8 rated at 250 and 300 horsepower (220 kW) - the latter featuring a higher compression ratio of 10.5 to 1, larger four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts.^[1]

The 1965 El Camino received an attractive facelift with a veed front end similar to the redesigned full-size Chevrolets. 1965 saw the availability of a higher performance version of the 327 engine rated at 350 hp (261 kW) that was also available in Chevelles under option code L-79. Most of the other engines were carried over from 1964 including the 194 and 230 cubic-inch Turbo Thrift sixes, the 195-horsepower 283 cubic-inch Turbo-Fire V8 and 327 cubic-inch Turbo-Fire V8s of 250 and 300 horsepower (220 kW).^[2]

1966 brought added a 396 cu in (6.5 L) V8 engine to the lineup rated from 325 to 375 hp (280 kW). The 1965 327 would run low 15s in the 1/4 mile (at some 90 mph), while 1966 to 1969 models were easily into the mid- to upper-14s. New sheetmetal highlighted the 1966 El Camino, identical to the Chevelle foward of the B-pillars. A new instrument panel with horizontal sweep speedometer was featured. Inside, the standard version featured a bench seat interior and rubber floor mat from the lower-line Chevelle 300 series while the Custom used a more upscale interior from the Chevelle Malibu with plusher cloth-and-vinyl or all-vinyl bench seats and deep twist carpeting, or optional Strato-bucket seats with console.

The El Camino followed the Chevelle's styling facelift for 1967 with a new grille, front bumper, and trim. Air shocks remained standard equipment on the El Camino, allowing the driver to compensate for a load. The year 1967 also brought the collapsable steering column and options of disc brakes and Turbo Hydramatic 400 3 speed automatic transmission. It was the second year the 396 could be had in the El Camino (both 13480 300 Deluxe base and 13680 Malibu series). Since the L35 396/325hp engine was the base for the SS396 series, the number of L35 engines reported sold by Chevrolet in 1967 (2,565) were sold in one of the two El Camino series since these were the only series the engine could be ordered in. Since the L34 (now 350hp) & L78 (375hp) were available in either El Camino series as well as the two SS396 body styles, there is no way of knowing how many of these optional engines went to which body style. Chevrolet does report 17,176 L34 and 612 L78 engine options were sold in 1967 Chevelles but there is no breakdown of body styles. The TH400 3-speed automatic was now available as an option (RPO M40) with the 396 engine in both the SS396 series and the 396-equipped El Caminos. The manual 3-speed transmission remained the standard transmission with a heavy duty (RPO M13) also available along with the 2-speed Powerglide and either M20 wide ratio or M21 close ratio 4-speed transmissions.

[edit] 1968-1972

Third generation

1972 Chevrolet El Camino
Production	1967–1972
Model year(s)	1968-1972
Assembly	Arlington[disambiguation needed], United States Atlanta, United States Baltimore, United States Flint, United States Fremont, United States Kansas City, United States Van Nuys, United States Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Platform	A-body
Engine(s)	307 cu in (5 L) V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 396 cu in (6.5 L) V8 454 cu in (7.4 L) V8
Related	GMC Sprint, Chevrolet Chevelle

1968 introduced a longer El Camino, based on the station wagon/4-door sedan wheelbase. A new, high performance Super Sport SS396 version was launched, alongside the Chevelle version. 1969 models were very similar, but 1970 saw the availability of a new SS396 which actually displaced 402 cu in (6.6 L) (although all emblems read 396). Chevrolet's largest and most-powerful engine of the time was also put into a select few El Caminos. The LS6 454 in³ engine, rated at 450 hp (336 kW) and 500 lb·ft (680 N·m) of torque, gave the El Camino 1/4 mile times in the upper 13 second range at almost 105 mph (169 km/h). 1969 also marked the first time that the legendary Chevrolet 350 V-8 was used in an El Camino.

For 1971, mandated lower-octane unleaded fuel necessitated a reduction in engine compression, and GM's A.I.R. system, a "smog pump", was added to control tailpipe emissions. Power and performance suffered. Single headlights replaced the dual light for 1971, and the grille was veed.

For 1972 little changed but still lower power outputs. Engine offerings for 1971-72 included the 250-6, small block V8s of 307 and 350 cubic inches; and big block V8s of 402 and 454 cubic-inch displacements. Horsepower ratings of those engines for 1971 ranged from 145 for the six to 365 for the 454 - all in gross figures. For 1972, horsepower measurements were switched to the "net" figures as installed in a vehicle with all accessories and emission controlles hooked up - this change brought the horsepower ratings for 1972 down to a range from 110 horsepower (82 kW) for the six to 270 for the 454 V8.

A rebadged El Camino, the GMC Sprint debuted in 1971. It shared the same engine/transmission offerings as its Chevrolet counterpart. The El Caminos of this period shared exterior and interior trims with the Chevelle Malibu including cloth and vinyl or all-vinyl bench seats and deep twist carpeting. All-vinyl Strato bucket seats and center console were optional.

[edit] 1973-1977

Fourth generation

1973 Chevrolet El Camino SS
Production	1972–1977
Model year(s)	1973-1977
Assembly	Baltimore, United States Doraville, United States Leeds, Missouri, United States Arlington[disambiguation needed], United States Fremont, United States Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Platform	A-body
Engine(s)	250 cu in (4.1 L) I6 305 cu in (5.0 L) V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 454 cu in (7.4 L) V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed automatic
Related	GMC Sprint, Chevrolet Chevelle

For 1973, the El Camino was redesigned, and matched the Chevelle line. It was the largest El Camino generation, but thanks to lighter construction, it weighed less than the previous generation. Other than annual grill revisions and quad stacked, rectangular headlights in 1976, it was relatively unchanged through 1977.

There were two different trim levels of El Caminos during this period. The base model shared interior and exterior appointments with the Chevelle Malibu while the El Camino Classic (introduced for 1974) shared its trim with the more upscale Chevelle Malibu Classic including notchback bench seat with folding armrest in either cloth or vinyl trim, upgraded door panels and woodgrained instrument panel trim. Offered as an option were the swiveling Strato bucket seats also available in Chevelle Malibus and Lagunas, along with a center console.

The El Camino was one of the few Chevrolet models to retain an "SS" or Super Sport version through this period as the Chevelle SS was dropped after 1973 and the Nova SS after 1976. The "SS" versions of the Impala, Monte Carlo and Camaro had already been dropped prior to that time, but the El Camino "SS" was an option package rather than a distinct model.

Engine offerings during this period included a 250 cubic-inch inline six and a variety of V8s including the 305, 350 and 400 cubic-inch versions of the Chevy small-block V8, and the 454 Turbo-Jet big block V8 which was discontinued after 1975. Catalytic converters were added to all engines beginning with the 1975 model.

In 1974, Chevrolet's sister division, Pontiac, reportedly took an El Camino body and grafted the urethane-nose front end from its Grand Am series and added the GA's instrument panel and Strato bucket seats with recliners and adjustable lumbar support along with Pontiac's Rally II wheels as a styling exercise for a possible Pontiac version of the El Camino. However, that concept never reached production. GMC offered its version of the El Camino, Sprint and most Pontiac dealers also sold GMC trucks (and Sprints) through dual dealerships.

[edit] 1978-1987

Fifth generation

1978 Chevrolet El Camino
Production	1977–1987
Model year(s)	1978-1987
Assembly	Baltimore, United States Doraville, United States Leeds, Missouri, United States Arlington[disambiguation needed], United States Fremont, United States Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
Platform	A-body (1978-1981) G-body (1982-1987)
Engine(s)	5.7 L (350 cu in) Small-Block V8 5 L (305 cu in) Small-Block V8 4.4 L (267 cu in) V8 4.3 L (262 cu in) Chevrolet V6 3.8 L (231 cu in) Buick V6 3.8 L (229 cu in) Chevrolet V6
Wheelbase	108 in (2743 mm)
Related	GMC Caballero, Chevrolet Malibu

A new trimmer El Camino was unveiled in 1978, with more sharp-edged styling and a one-inch longer 117-inch (3,000 mm) wheelbase. The front end featured a new single rectangular headlight design. The 1982 revision had the four headlight design.

From 1978 through 1987, the El Camino was offered in four models: El Camino, Royal Knight, Conquista and Super Sport. It now shared components with the Chevrolet Malibu. Chevrolet 90-degree V6 or Buick V6 engines were available for the first time, and from 1982-1984 the Oldsmobile-sourced diesel engine. The popular choice was the 305 cubic-inch small block V8 rated at 150 or 165 horsepower (123 kW). The 1984-87 El Camino SS was offered in a Choo-Choo special edition and shared the aerodynamic front end with the concurrent Monte Carlo SS, and received the L69 engine package, which included the 180 hp 305 V8. For 1985, GM shifted El Camino production to Mexico, and switched the V6 to the new 4.3 L version which was standard through 1987. Production ceased after the 1987 model year, as sales of the Chevrolet S-10 conventional pickup truck were outselling its coupe utility counterpart. 425 unsold 1987 El Caminos were sold as 1988 models.

[edit] El Camino today

Many El Caminos are still used as daily drivers, and some are used in various racing venues. The El Camino can usually be found at car shows in the muscle car category. The late 60s version command the highest prices and inspire the most replicas from Hot Wheels, Matchbox and Johnny Lightning. The Discovery Channel program Monster Garage once turned an El Camino into a Figure-8 racer (dubbed the "Hell-Camino"). The drift team Bubba Drift uses a 1986 El Camino as the only drifting truck. It is unusual in that it uses an automatic transmission instead of a manual transmission.

It has been rumored for years that GM may bring back the El Camino. During the 1995 model year, GM had a concept El Camino based on the full-size Caprice station wagon using the grille of a 1994-96 Impala SS; this concept was destined for production but terminated due to GM's profitable SUV sales. GM already has a vehicle ready in Australia in the form of the Holden Ute, save for some minor changes necessary to make it available in the U.S. This may have been backtracked within the past couple of years, however, as the Subaru Baja, the only "pickup car" recently available in the US, didn't sell well at all and was dropped after the 2006 model year.

In addition, the Pontiac GTO which Holden built and exported for Pontiac and was loosely related to the Holden Ute didn't sell well either and was only programmed for three years ending in 2006 due to Holden upgrading the platform it was based on. A Chevrolet badged version, known as the Lumina Ute, is sold in South Africa.

The Pontiac G8 ST was shown at the New York International Auto Show in March 2008. Based on the Holden Ute, it was built on the same G8 platform with a 73-inch (1,900 mm) cargo bed. The Sport Truck had the same 361 hp (269 kW), 6.0-liter V8 used in the G8 GT, as well as the 3.6-liter, 300 hp (220 kW) direct-injection V6. ^[3] The G8 ST, slated for release as a 2010 model, was to be GM's first coupe utility in North America since the El Camino was discontinued in 1987. In January 2009, GM announced to Pontiac dealers that the G8 ST was cancelled due to budget cuts and restructuring.^[4]

[edit] Gallery

1959 Chevrolet El Camino	1964 Chevrolet El Camino	1968 Chevrolet El Camino	1975 Chevrolet El Camino Classic
1985 Chevrolet El Camino	Chevrolet El Camino SS	1979 Chevrolet El Camino interior	1974 Chevrolet El Camino

[edit] See also

• GMC Caballero
• Coupe utility
• Pickup truck
• Holden Ute

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chevrolet El Camino

• Chevrolet El Camino at the Internet Movie Cars Database
• Car Domain: 1959-1960/1964-1987 Chevrolet El Camino

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Type	1950s										1960s										1970s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
SUV																			K5 Blazer					K5 Blazer
	Suburban					Suburban					Suburban							Suburban						Suburban
Pickup																							LUV
	Advance Design					Task Force					C/K							C/K						C/K
										El Camino					El Camino				El Camino					El Camino					El Camino
Van															Van							Van
																					Beauville

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Type	1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
Compact crossover																										HHR
Mid-size crossover																										Equinox					Equinox
Full-size crossover																														Traverse
Compact SUV										Tracker										Tracker
Mid-size SUV				S-10 Blazer												Blazer
																							TrailBlazer
Full-size SUV	K5 Blazer												Blazer			Tahoe					Tahoe							Tahoe
	Suburban												Suburban								Suburban							Suburban
SUT																							Avalanche					Avalanche
Coupe utility	El Camino
Sports pickup																								SSR
Compact pickup	LUV		S-10												S-10
Mid-size pickup																									Colorado
Full-size pickup	C/K								C/K											Silverado								Silverado
Minivan											Lumina APV							Venture								Uplander
Van						Astro										Astro
	Van																Express
	Beauville