The US government, as part of its initiative for a more sustainable future, required vehicles to use lower-octane fuel. In 1971, the El Camino, much to the disappointment of gearheads everywhere, was struck by a new mandate. The El Camino SS certainly lived up to the Super Sport name and was a high-performance machine, blowing the first generation out of the water. This was mind-boggling for that era.ĭespite the increased size and power, the third-generation El Camino weighed less than the previous models, driving it further into the muscle car category. The 454 cubic inch option could produce 450 hp. The 396 cubic inch option produced a whopping 375 hp, making it more powerful than the first generation. Returning to the big-block roots of the first generation, Chevy offered two large V8 options. Bigger than ever before, the El Camino needed the power to match. Still using the Chevelle platform, the third-generation El Camino was bulked up. 1968 – Feel the Burnġ968 marked another important evolutionary change for the El Camino. In 1967, the final year of production, a massive 396 cubic inch big-block V8 was added to the lineup. The initial engine options were acceptable but considering the vehicle was so closely related to the Chevelle, people demanded more power. Since the El Camino was using a new platform, the overall appearance and performance had changed a bit. The Chevy Chevelle was a gorgeous midsize high-performance vehicle that would prove to have all the right stuff to be used for the El Camino. This time, the El Camino was built on a Chevelle platform. Thankfully, Chevy decided the El Camino was worth another try, in part due to the Ranchero’s continuing success. However, the first generation didn’t last long and was called to an end after only two years. With beauty and brawn on its side, the El Camino saw decent sales in the first year of production. One of the ads boasted, “the most beautiful thing that ever shouldered a load!” Which isn’t too far off, considering the Frankenstein parts that went into making this classic monster. The El Camino was marketed for its stylish design and its work-truck capabilities. The exterior was based on the Bel Air, which was quite a looker itself. The El Camino was built using a modified Chevy Brookwood, a full-size station wagon originally released in 1958. Inspired by its relative success, Chevy began designing its own mash-up utility vehicle.ġ959 Chevrolet unveiled its all-new El Camino. Its unique design made it popular, resulting in steady sales. A “ute” in its own right, the Ranchero was a completely new breed of vehicle for the American market. “Ute” is short for a “coupe utility.” Now, much like most things, there is debate as to whether the Australian “ute” was, in fact, the first “coupe utility.” But since we are more interested in the El Camino than the “ute,” we will let you travel that road alone.įast-forward 25 years or so to 1957, and Ford debuted its brand-new Ford Ranchero. She supposedly reached out to a designer at Ford Australia who took on the challenge. Much like the El Camino itself, legend surrounds the “ute.” It is believed that in the early 1930s, a farmer’s wife realized that she had a need for a vehicle that could be refined enough for church but still be a workhorse for her husband’s farm. Long before the El Camino ever rolled into our lives, the Australian “ute” entered the scene as one of the first-ever car-truck hybrids. How did such a beloved truck…err car…umm thing, first begin? Let’s take a look and dive into the history of one of the most beloved oddball vehicles out there. Its distinct styling, muscle car attitude, and pickup truck abilities make the Chevy El Camino a legend amongst enthusiasts. If you come across one at your local used Chevy truck dealer, consider yourself lucky. A crossbreed of truck and sedan, the Chevy El Camino is a rare sight to behold. With its instantly recognizable style, the Chevy El Camino is a classic worth looking at.
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