It wasn’t until 1968, however, that the El Camino, featuring a total body makeover, and loaded with a more powerful SS engine, took its place in the iconic lineup of American muscle cars and remained there for the remainder of the 1960s and throughout the 1970s. You never feel out of place – even the ladies should be at ease with it.” Glory Days Good looks plus sedan styling let it be drive anywhere you’d take a regular passenger car. Hot Rod reported, “El Camino is a true multi-purpose vehicle. Transmission options included: Powerglide, Muncie manuals, a 3-speed manual and TH350/400 automatics. The drivetrain range compared to the Chevelle’s, sporting two entry-level six-cylinder engines (194cui, 230cui), a 283cui VC in 195hp and 220 hp spec, and a selection of either a 250hp or 300hp 327. They made a comeback in 1964 when Chevy introduced a new model, based off the Chevelle, a more robust body compared to the Impala, and available as a Super Sport (SS) option. Unfortunately, the first El Caminos, unlike their Ford counterparts, the Fairlanes and Rancheros, did not sell well and were officially discontinued in 1960. However, it seems it took the appearance of the Ranchero to spur Chevy to action and, in 1959, the El Camino was introduced. In fact, Chevy promoted it as, “the most beautiful thing that ever shouldered a load!” Even claiming, “It rides and handles like a convertible yet hauls and hustles like the workingest thing on wheels.” Close, But No Cigar!Įarlier, in 1952, General Motors head of Design, Harley Earl, had suggested designing a coupe pickup well before Ford released the Ranchero. Whether or not the story is true, the 1959 El Camino, a sedan-pickup truck, built on an Impala body, was Chevy’s interpretation of an Australian ute, made to look good, while doing some heavy lifting. Rumor has it, in 1932, an Australian farmer’s wife wrote to the Ford factory, requesting a vehicle that could get her to church in style on Sunday, and shuttle her husband’s livestock to market on Monday. Introduced in 1958 in response to Ford’s Ranchero, American car-truck hybrids were originally inspired by Australia’s “utes,” or “coupe utility” vehicles. showcase vintage models like the El Camino in their showrooms, while awaiting a possible new release. Among the first hybrid vehicles in the history of the automotive industry, the Chevrolet El Camino, a combination car-truck, featured the practicality of a pickup truck, while maintaining performance car status.
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