Chevrolet El Camino

Chevrolet El Camino at a glance

History and production

Ford's Ranchero had opened the market for car-based pickups in 1957. Chevrolet replied for 1959 with a model built on its new two-door Brookwood wagon. Production of the first El Camino stopped after the 1960 model year, and the name returned in 1964 on the mid-size Chevelle. From then on it stayed in the range until the end of 1987.

The best single year was 1973, when 64,987 were built. From 1979 output fell steadily, and GM moved production to Mexico in 1985.

First generation (1959–1960): the full-size original

The first El Camino shared the long 3,023 mm (119 in) wheelbase and the dramatic fins of the 1959 Chevrolet. Its bed held almost 33 cubic feet (about 0.93 m³), and Wikipedia describes it as the first Chevrolet pickup with a steel bed floor. Payload ranged from 295 to 522 kg depending on drivetrain and suspension.

Engines ran from the six to the 283 Ramjet fuel-injected V8 with 216 kW (290 bhp) and the 348 with three two-barrel carburettors and 250 kW (335 bhp). Hot Rod magazine tested a 348 with a four-speed and predicted a 14-second quarter mile with suitable gearing. For 1960 the base 283 was detuned to 127 kW (170 bhp), and fuel injection disappeared. In 1960 a six-cylinder El Camino started at US$2,366. Sales fell by about a third, to 14,163, and Chevrolet dropped the model.

Second generation (1964–1967): on the Chevelle

When the El Camino returned in 1964, it was a mid-size vehicle: everything ahead of the B-pillars came from the Chevelle two-door wagon. Air shocks at the rear were standard, and the frame was fully boxed through 1967.

A 327 car of 1965 ran the quarter mile in the low 15-second range. The 1967 model gained a collapsible steering column, disc brakes and the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400.

Third generation (1968–1972): SS 396 and SS 454

For 1968 the El Camino moved to the longer Chevelle wagon chassis with a 2,946 mm (116 in) wheelbase and a length of 5,283 mm. The SS 396 became a separate model, with up to 280 kW (375 hp) from the L78 and 563 Nm. MuscleCarClub counts 5,190 SS 396 cars in 1968.

The peak came in 1970. The SS 396 actually had 402 cubic inches by then, though the badges stayed the same, and the new LS6 454 delivered 336 kW (450 hp gross) and 678 Nm (500 lb-ft). MuscleCarClub quotes a quarter mile of 13.44 s at 108.17 mph (174 km/h) for an LS6 El Camino. In 1971 compression ratios were lowered for unleaded fuel, the LS6 disappeared, and the LS5 454 remained at 272 kW (365 hp gross). For 1972 net ratings applied: 130 kW (175 hp) for the 350 and 201 kW (270 hp) for the 454, which now came only with the Super Sport trim.

These cars are closely related to the Chevelle SS covered in our Chevelle SS article.

Fourth generation (1973–1977): the biggest El Camino

The 1973 redesign, built on the Chevelle wagon chassis with wider tracks, produced the largest El Camino of all. Trim levels followed the Chevelle Malibu: base and SS, a Classic from 1974 and an Estate package until 1976. Output ratings now reflected emissions rules. In 1973 the 307 V8 gave 86 kW (115 hp), the four-barrel 350 130 kW (175 hp) and the 454 183 kW (245 hp). The 454 was cut to 160 kW (215 hp) for 1975, its final year, when a 250 six with 78 kW (105 hp) became the base engine. A 305 V8 with 104 kW (140 hp) followed in 1976. The SS package sold between 3,521 and 5,226 units a year.

Fifth generation (1978–1987): own chassis and a quiet end

The last El Camino had its own chassis with a 2,974 mm (117.1 in) wheelbase, the front sheet metal and doors of the Malibu, and trims called Conquista, Super Sport and, in 1978, the Black Knight. Engines started with a 3.3 V6 of 71 kW (95 hp); the 305 V8 gave 108 kW (145 hp) and the 350 127 kW (170 hp) until it was dropped for 1980. From 1982 an Oldsmobile-built 5.7 diesel V8 with 78 kW (105 hp) was available, frugal but expensive and, according to Wikipedia, with a poor repair record. A fuel-injected 4.3 V6 became the base engine from 1985.

Sales slid from 58,008 in 1979 to 13,743 in 1987. Production ended quietly late in 1987; the GM Heritage Center confirmed that no 1988 El Caminos or Caballeros were built. Later concepts, a 1992 Lumina-based study and the 2008 Pontiac G8 ST, never reached showrooms.

Specifications by generation

Photo gallery