Chevrolet El Camino

Chevrolet El Camino
Chevrolet
aka	Type aka here, not up there
Production	produced from when to when+total units made (optional)
Class	denote market class
Body Style	how many doors+how many seats+what type of body
Length	length - type here
Width	Width - type here
Height	Height - type here
Wheelbase	wheelbase - type here
Weight	Weight - you get the point
Transmission	transmission + drive
Engine	engine
Power	N/A hp @ N/A rpm N/A lb-ft of torque @ N/A rpm
Similar	Ford Ranchero
Designer	Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)

The Chevrolet El Camino, a car-based small pickup truck built by Chevrolet in the United States, was produced in response to the success of the rival Ford Ranchero.

In Mexico, it was sometimes badged and sold as the Chevrolet Conquistador

See Wikicars' comprehensive Chevrolet El Camino Review.

Recent Changes

Mention any minor facelifts or major changes made to the vehicle here.

Styles and Major Options

Certain vehicles come in different trim levels or body styles. Features and major options should be mentioned here.

Pricing

Add more fields as necessary.

MODEL Trims
Trim1	Trim2	Trim3	Trim4
MSRP
$Price1	$Price2	$Price3	$Price4
Invoice
$Price1	$Price2	$Price3	$Price4

Gas Mileage

Add more fields as necessary.

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim
Trim1	Trim2	Trim3	Trim4
MPG
c/h	c/h	c/h	c/h

Engine and Transmission

Specifications, details, graphs, pictures and other information regarding the powertrain is placed in this section.

Performance

Please make sure to write information of the vehicle's performance in a third-person point of view. This section should include information about the car's acceleration figures, handling, braking, etc.

If using information gathered from Road Test articles from a reputable automotive source, then please make sure to cite the quote.

Reliability

Warranty options and scheduled maintainance information should be mentioned here.

Safety

This section should reference points on safety ratings and features of the vehicle.

Photos

• 
• 
• 

Add Photos of the vehicle here.

Please make sure not to use copyrighted photos.

Colors

List the colors that the particular <MODEL> is offered in.

Main Competitors

Create links to other <MAKE> <MODEL> pages in this section.

Hybrid Models

If there are hybrid versions of this vehicle manufactured, then please elaborate a little bit on it here.

Unique Attributes

If there are any features of this vehicle that sets it apart from other vehicles in its class, then mention those unique attributes here.

Interior

This section should include information on the interior's design, build quality, ergonomics, space (head and legroom, front and rear), features, stowage compartments and overall comfortability and livability. Add pictures wherever applicable and keep information in a third-person point of view.

Resale Values

Add more fields as necessary.

<MODEL> Year
Year X	Year X-2	Year X-3	Year X-4
Resale Value
$	$	$	$

Criticisms

Please make sure to keep critiques in a third-person point of view. If using criticisms from a reputable automotive source, then please make sure to cite the quote.

Generations

Many El Caminos are still used as daily drivers, and some are used in various racing venues. The 80s version is the most popular of any of that generation of body styles, though the late 60s command the highest prices and inspire the most replicas from Hot Wheels, Matchbox and Johnny Lightning which have produced few Ford Rancheros. 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 one of the few drift trucks that use an automatic transmission instead of a manual transmission.

The titular character of "My Name is Earl" owns a fourth generation El Camino, although it has suffered damage and now has several replacement parts. In the animated King of the Hill, Khan trades in his Maxima for an 80s El Camino as he transforms into a redneck, and he parks it visible in the parking lot to help generate sympathy for his daughter who is applying for college. On the television series Prison Break, "Scan" portrayed fugitive Fernando Sucre hotwiring an El Camino pickup in Defiance, Ohio.

The El Camino is ostensibly the subject of the song "An El Camino is a Car," by the Bay Area indie-rock band Readyville, and "El Camino," by Ween.

On a production note, it has been constantly rumored for years now that GM may bring back the El Camino. 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—currently the only "pickup car" available in the U.S.—hasn't sold well at all and rumor has it that it may be dropped. In addition, the Pontiac GTO (which Holden builds & exports for Pontiac and is loosely related to the Holden Ute) hasn't sold well either. Only time will tell if the El Camino makes a comeback.

Fifth generation (1978-1987)

A new, smaller El Camino was unveiled in 1978, with more sharp-edged styling. With a single headlight design, until a later revision in 1982 that had a four headlight design on the same body style as previous years from 1978-1981. Since the Chevelle was no longer produced, the El Camino instead shared components with the Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Monte Carlo. V6 engines (based on the Buick or Chevrolet 90-degree V6) were available for the first time, and from 1982 through 1984, Oldsmobile-sourced diesel engines.

After 1984, GM shifted El Camino production to Mexico for three more years. Production ceased after the 1987 model year, as sales of the Chevrolet S-10 true pickup truck were outselling its passenger car counterpart.

1984 to 1987 El Caminos (and its twin, the GMC Caballero) were produced in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. Around 200 unsold 1987 El Caminos were sold as 1988 models.

Fourth generation (1973-1977)

For 1973, the truck was restyled again, matching changes to the Chevelle. It was the largest generation of El Camino, but thanks to lighter construction, it weighed less than the previous generation. A front-end restyle with quad stacked headlights was done in 1976, but otherwise it was the same truck until 1978.

Third generation (1968-1972)

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 in³ (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 and 500 ft·lbf of torque, gave the El Camino 1/4 mile times in the upper 13 second range at almost 105 mph.

The 1971 model saw reduced power and performance, along with the rest of Chevrolet's line, as lower-octane unleaded fuel was mandated, and emissions controls began to be felt. Single headlights replaced double for 1971, and the grille came now to a point. Little changed but still lower power outputs for 1972.

A rebadged El Camino called the GMC Sprint debuted in 1971.

Second generation (1964-1967)

Four years later, with Ford's Ranchero still selling well, Chevrolet reincarnated the El Camino, based on the new Chevrolet Chevelle platform. That 1964 model was basically identical to the Chevelle forward of the B-pillars, but Chevrolet considered the vehicle a practical, utility model and the Chevelle's most powerful engines were not available.

1965 saw the availability of performance versions of the 327 engine with some 350 hp. 1966 brought added a 396 in³ engine to the lineup rated at 325-375 hp. 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. The El Camino followed the Chevelle's styling update for 1967, with a new grille, front bumper, and trim. Air shocks were introduced, allowing the driver to compensate for a load.

First Generation/Origins (1959-1960)

The first El Camino was produced for the 1959 model year (two years after the Ranchero) and was based on that year's Chevrolet Impala. The truck's development was rushed, and it was not as successful as the Ford, with 22,246 built the first year. The 1960 model tracked the changes on the Impala, with an extensive restyling. Sales were down at 14,163 and Chevrolet decided to discontinue the model. In total, 36,409 first generation El Caminos were produced.

Worldwide

If the vehicle is sold in other markets worldwide, then this is the section to mention that information. Also, mention if the <MODEL> goes by another name in these other markets.

Design quirks and oddities

• The El Camino was one of the cars featured in Driven To Destruction named as 'Outlaw'.

Awards

List out notable awards that the model has recieved while in production. Boldface the company or organization that gives out the award, and Italicize the name of the award.

See Also

• Pickup Trucks

External Links

News and References

• El Camino - Jalopnik - In-depth coverage of the El Camino, and hundreds of non-El Camino "Caminoizations."
• Chevy El Camino at Muscle Car Facts — A year by year account of the car.
• Automotive History Online - Chevrolet El Camino History and Photos
• Happy 50th Birthday, El Camino!

Enthusiast Sites and Discussion Forums

• Chevy El Camino Store - Performance parts and accessories.
• Bubba Drift