Saved From The Paper Drive: June 2012

1959

The name means' The Path', and this offering from Chevrolet was certainly on the path from pickup truck to SUV. They were made in 1959-1960, 1964-1987. They were titled as trucks, but although they might have been a bit sturdier than the cars they were based on, they were not as robust as a full fledged truck.
Trucks had been very sparsely appointed until 1955 when Chevrolet introduced he Cameo pickup truck which offered a more automobile-like interior. Ford took it a step further with the Ranchero in 1957. The El Camino was introduced for the 1959 model year two years later. The payload limit was only about 1000 lbs. The vehicle weighted almost 2.5 tons.

1959

The 283-cid Turbo-jet V8 with two- or four-barrel carburetion and several Turbo-Thrust 348-cid V8s with four-barrel or triple two-barrel carbs (the latter with up to 335 bhp (250 kW; 340 PS) by mid 1959) were among the engine choices. Even the 250- and 290-bhp 283-cube Ramjet Fuel Injection engines were available.

A total of 22,246 El Caminos were produced for 1959.

The similar but less flamboyant 1960 model started at $2366 for the six-cylinder model; another $107 for a V8 with the two-barrel 283. The fuel injected engines were no longer available.

1959

1960

1st Generation specs:

Production 1958–1960
Model years 1959–1960
Assembly Arlington, Texas, United States
Engine 235 cu in (3.9 L) I6
283 cu in (4.6 L) V8
348 cu in (5.7 L) V8

Transmission 3-speed manual
4-speed manual
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Wheelbase 119"
Length 210.9"

The second gen El Camino was based on the popular Chevelle.

1964

Production 1963–1967
Model years 1964–1967
Assembly Atlanta, Georgia
Baltimore, Maryland
Fremont, California
Framingham, Massachusetts
Kansas City, Missouri
Oshawa, Ontario
Platform A-body
Engine 194 cu in (3.2 L) I6
230 cu in (3.8 L) I6
250 cu in (4.1 L) I6
283 cu in (4.6 L) Small-Block V8
327 cu in (5.4 L) Small-Block V8
396 cu in (6.5 L) Big-Block V8
Transmission 3-speed manual
4-speed manual
2-speed Powerglide automatic

Third generation (1968–1972)

Chevy introduced a longer El Camino in 1968, based on the Chevelle station wagon/four-door sedan wheelbase.

1972

1971

Production 1967–1972
Model years 1968–1972
Assembly Arlington, United States
Atlanta, United States
Baltimore, United States
Flint, United States
Fremont, United States
Kansas City, United States
Van Nuys, United States
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Platform A-body
Engine 230 cu in (3.8 L) I6
250 cu in (4.1 L) I6
307 cu in (5.0 L) V8
350 cu in (5.7 L) V8
396 cu in (6.5 L) V8
454 cu in (7.4 L) V8
Transmission 3-speed manual
4-speed manual
2-speed Powerglide auto.
3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic auto
Wheelbase 116 in

4th generation
For 1973, the El Camino was redesigned. Matching the Chevelle line and using the wagon chassis, it was the largest El Camino generation. Energy-absorbing hydraulic front bumper systems created an ungainly appearance on these vehicles and added more weight. There were two different trim levels of El Caminos during this period. The base model and SS option shared interior and exterior appointments with the Chevelle Malibu, while the El Camino Classic (introduced for 1974) shared its trim with the more upscale Chevelle Malibu Classic.

Production 1972–1977
Model years 1973–1977
Assembly Baltimore, United States
Doraville, United States
Leeds, Missouri, United States
Arlington, United States
Fremont, United States
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Platform A-body
Engine 250 cu in (4.1 L) I6
307 cu in (5.0 L) V8
350 cu in (5.7 L) V8
400 cu in (6.6 L) V8
454 cu in (7.4 L) V8
Transmission 3-speed manual
4-speed manual
3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic auto.

The 1978 through 1987 El Caminos were produced in four trim levels: Classic, Black Knight(1978)/Royal Knight(1979–83), Conquista and Super Sport, and shared chassis components with the Chevrolet Malibu. Chevrolet 90° V6 and Buick V6 engines were used for the first time. The optional 305 cubic-inch small block V8 was rated at 150 or 165 horsepower , and from 1982–1984, the Oldsmobile-sourced Diesel engine was also optional.

1978

The 1982 (through the final 1987) El Camino sported a frontal appearance with a crosshatch grille flanked by quad rectangular headlights. New under the hood for 1982 was a 105-horsepower 5.7-liter (350-cubic-inch) Diesel V8, which was also offered in Chevy's full-size cars. Though mileage with the diesel was commendable, it was an expensive option and would eventually amass a dismal repair record. Gasoline-engine choices were unchanged, except Chevy's 229-cubic-inch (3.8-liter) V6 was now standard in California-bound cars, replacing Buick's 231-cubic-inch V6.
In 1983, the 4.4-liter V8 was gone, leaving the 5.0-liter version as the only optional gas V8. The standard engine was again Chevy's 3.8-liter V6 with 110 horsepower , though California cars, once again, got a Buick V6 with similar specifications. Continuing on the options list was the 5.7-liter V8 Diesel with 105 hp . The sister Malibu sedan and wagon were discontinued after the 1983 model year.
The 1984-87 El Camino SS was offered as a conversion (completed by a 3rd party i Tennessee) to include the aerodynamic front end similar to the Monte Carlo SS, but did not receive the L69 engine package. For 1985, GM shifted El Camino production to Mexico, and the new 4.3 L was standard through 1987.

5th Generation Specs:

Production 1977–1987
Model years 1978–1987
Assembly Baltimore, United States
Doraville, United States
Leeds, Missouri, United States
Arlington, United States
Fremont, United States
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Ramos Arizpe, Mexico
Tehran, Iran
Platform A-body (1978-1981)
G-body (1982-1987)
Engine 3.8 L (229 cu in) Chevrolet V6
3.8 L (231 cu in) Buick V6
4.3 L (262 cu in) Chevrolet V6
4.4 L (267 cu in) Small-Block V8
5.0 L (305 cu in) Small-Block V8
5.7 L (350 cu in) Small-Block V8
5.7 L (350 cu in) Diesel V8
Transmission 3-speed manual
3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic auto.
Wheelbase 117 in