
The first
Chevrolet El Camino (
the road translated in Spanish) was introduced to the car market in 1959 (two years after the
Ford Ranchero). The El Camino was produced from 1959-1960 as a coupe utility, (similar to the
Ford Ranchero). The
El Camino was based on an easily modified platform from the
1959 Brookwood two-door station wagon design. The same trim level and drivetrain options were available for the El Camino as the
Chevrolet Impala. This was the first year for the
batwing full sized Chevrolets.
Unfortunately
El Camino sold fewer numbers than the conservative style of
Ford Ranchero. The El Camino suffered sales of only
22,246 for the first year. The less flamboyant models for 1960 sold only
14,162 models of El Camino, at this point General Motors discontinued the El Camino. In total,
36,409 first generation models were produced. Production resumed for the El Camino from 1964 through 1987. The
El Camino was sold in 1978 through 1987 with four different models the
Super Sport, the
Black
Knight, the
Conquista and
El Camino. There was also a twin to the El Camino, the GMC Sprint, and the GMC Caballero from 1974 on.
The
El Caminos are incorrectly referred to as cars because of their car heritage (this is a common mistake with vehicles of this type), the vehicle is titled and classified as a truck.
The
El Caminos were also sold in
Mexico and labeled as
Chevrolet Conquistador.Production 1959-1960
Engine(s):
235cid in-line six
283cid small-block V8
348cid big-block V8
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