Chevrolet El Camino
The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupé utility vehicle that was produced by Chevrolet between 1959–60 and 1964–1987. The El Camino was a direct challenge Ford’s Ranchero, a utility coupe dominating a previously untapped market.
Chevrolet El Camino Overview
GM flirted with coupe-type trucks such as the Chevrolet Cameo Carrier and the GMC Suburban Carrier in 1955, but they went all-in with the El Camino for the 1959 model year. The El Camino was built on a modified Brookwood station wagon platform. The first generation didn’t last long. It could have been the new flamboyant wings of full-sized Chevys or perhaps the Ranchero’s hefty stake in the market, but after just 2 years and 36,409 El Caminos produced, Chevy dropped the ax on the model.
With the Ranchero still selling well, Chevy brought back the El Camino on the proven Chevelle platform. The second-generation variant leaned more toward practicality but also had the option of packing a 327 cubic inch small-block V8 rated up to 300 hp in 1964. In alignment with its popularity, the El Camino grew in its third generation and was built on a 4-door sedan wheelbase. Despite its larger size, it was lighter than the previous generation thanks to lighter construction and a front-end restyle with quad stacked headlights.
The fourth generation started with a dramatic restyling, and catalytic converters were now standard equipment on all models. The El Camino was lucky enough to retain a Super Sport version for this generation, as Chevrolet dropped the Chevelle SS in 1973 and Nova SS after 1976 (they had previously discontinued the Impala, Monte Carlo, and Camaro SS trims). The fifth and final generation saw a smaller, sleeker El Camino with sharper styling and a single headlight design. V6 engines were available for the first time, and from 1982 through 1984, diesel engines sourced from Oldsmobile were also an option. After the 1984 model year, El Camino production was moved to Mexico, and in 1987, the El Camino was discontinued thanks to outstanding sales of the Chevrolet S-10 pickup.
Chevrolet El Camino US Sales Data & Charts
US Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 38,772 |
| 1998 | 64,912 |
| 1999 | 59,855 |
| 2000 | 50,206 |
| 2001 | 32,331 |
| 2002 | 31,611 |
| 2003 | 28,519 |
| 2004 | 4,223 |
| 2005 | 203 |
