āEl Caminoā is a car produced by the well-known American company Chevrolet. It is made in the back of a jute. That is, if he speaks in a popular language, this is a pickup truck, which is a commercial light car that has an open cargo platform. This car differs from classic pickups in that the front of the utah is designed as a 2-door coupe.
Ford Follower
So, the first thing to tell about āEl Caminoā is that this car is the most popular and bought (at the time) of all existing cars made in the back of a car. It was originally published for only one year - from 1959 to 1960. However, then, after a four-year hiatus, production resumed. And the next time it lasted a lot longer - from 1964 to 1987. āChevrolet El Caminoā appeared after the Ford Ranchero car . The car of eternal competitors was sold extremely successfully. So the Chevrolet concern decided to give an answer. And it turned out - the model was successful.
The ute style was new to the American market at that time. First there was a Ford, and then a Chevrolet. Interestingly, the Detroit manufacturer was able to make a more popular model. Although directly āChevroletā with āFordā competed only in 1959. Since then, the Dearborn manufacturer was already completing the release of its yutes. But the āChevroletā was just starting. As a result, in 1959, 14,169 copies of the Ford were sold. And Chevrolet sold in larger quantities - 22,246 units.
Briefly about the model
āEl Caminoā was founded on the existing platform - they decided not to develop a separate one. Took from Chevrolet Brookwood of the same year of release (that is, 1959). Accordingly, the novelty-yu acquired an X-shaped frame design and a spring suspension. The wheelbase was also solid - as much as 3023 mm. As an option, air suspension was offered . But it was rarely seen on El Camino cars, photos of which are provided below. By the way, it is also interesting that this car is the first pickup truck from an American company with a metal loading platform. Since before, until the end of the 60s, it was made of wood. The floor is lined with corrugated sheet metal.
Specifications
āEl Caminoā boasts pretty good performance. Itās worth starting with the engine. Under the hood, a Turbo-jet V8 is installed, with a volume of 4.6 liters. It could be with four cameras, or with two. This engine was carbureted. There was also another version - also a V8, but a 5.7-liter. Despite the fact that the car was designed and released more than fifty years ago, there is no weak engine under its hood. On the contrary, the latest version of 1959 pleases with a powerful 335-horsepower unit.
In addition to the above motors, 290- and 250-horsepower were offered to potential buyers. There was even a 283 cc unit equipped with mechanical fuel injection.
In early 1959, a magazine called āHot Rodā decided to test the machine. It was decided to take the āEl Caminoā car with a 5.7-liter 315-horsepower V8 engine (three-carburetor, with a 4-band gearbox). From zero to 60 miles, the car accelerated in 7 seconds. And the maximum that she could give herself out was 210 kilometers per hour. These were amazing indicators for those years - it is not surprising that this model was so popular.
1960 year
The first sales of the model were very successful. A year later, in 1960, cars began to be sold at a price of $ 2,366 apiece. It was the cost of 6-cylinder models. If a person paid extra $ 107, then he was provided with a car with a V8 CID283 under the hood.
In addition, in 1960, the car underwent some external changes. Designers decided it would be nice to add some visual resemblance to the famous Chevrolet Bel Air. But inside, the model still looked like the Chevrolet Brookwood. The interior of this car was really good - everything is done in a classic style, strictly, concisely, and tastefully. Several color options were offered - green, blue and gray. The last of the listed was more popular.
It was also decided to deform the base 4.6-liter V8 engine (to an indicator of 170 hp.). And also canceled options equipped with fuel injection.
But in 1960, sales fell sharply - by a third. Only 14,163 copies of El Camino were bought. The machine ceased to be as popular as before, so the concern stopped selling.
Resumption of production
The car āChevrolet El Camino 1959ā has sunk into oblivion. However, four years after the completion of production and the cessation of sales, the concern decided to return to the release of this model. But now manufacturers have come up with something new. In 1964, a completely different, completely new model was released - built on the basis of the Chevrolet Chevelle.
Initially, the car was offered with two 6-cylinder units - one of them produced 120 horsepower, and the second - 155. Also, potential buyers were provided with an option with a V8 engine. Its volume was 283 cubic inches. Such a 2-chamber carburetor unit produced 195 āhorsesā. In addition, this engine could boast a double exhaust. Then, after some time, there was an option with a 220-horsepower engine. It also had a dual exhaust and a 4-chamber carburetor. And then cars with V8 engines began to come out. There were two of them - for 250 and 300 āhorsesā. Machines with these units were considered the most powerful and were, accordingly, the most popular of all possible Chevrolet El Camino. The technical characteristics of these versions really exceeded the performance of other models.
Restyling
In 1965, the car underwent some external changes. This time, ācosmeticā restyling was not limited. The car received a completely new, redesigned front end, and became outwardly very similar to full-size cars. In the same year, the power unit L-79 was added to the list of available options. It was distinguished by increased performance. And no wonder, because this engine was capable of generating 350 horsepower!
Then a number of power units replenished with a 6.5-liter 8-cylinder engine (its power ranged from 325 āhorsesā to 375). Even in 1966 models, new dashboards with the original horizontal speedometer and swivel bucket-shaped chairs began to appear. Also, the car acquired an interior very similar to the Chevelle Malibu.
And in 1967, the cars received a new grille, an original and modern (at that time) finish and a beautiful bumper. Then came the folding steering column and disc brakes (as an extra option). Moreover, cars began to be equipped with 3-band āautomatic machinesā! And these versions, by the way, were sold out very quickly.
Third generation
The Chevrolet El Camino car, the photo of which is provided above, underwent quite significant changes in 1968. This car began to produce on the basis of a long base. And the decoration (both internal and external), experts decided to again adopt from Chevelle Malibu. True, the interior was updated. Vinyl and a new fabric appeared.
Also, from 1968, customers began to be offered a special, high-performance version called the Super Sport SS396. How did it differ from other models? Special engine. Under the hood of this model was a Turbo-Jet 396. It could produce 350 āhorsesā! And the L78 engine returned to a number of power units. It was the most powerful engine of all that then could only have been a Chevrolet. He produced 375 liters. from. The four-chamber carburetor engine was equipped with a 3-band āmechanicsā. As an option, however, an āautomaticā was offered.
1969 and 1970 release
After the start of production and sales of second-generation models, specialists decided to make Chevrolet softer, elegant and rounded in terms of style and exterior. It was possible, and such versions also found their customers. They also began to equip the car with a 350 V8 engine. āSports" versions boasted 265 - and 325-horsepower units. It was decided to add power windows and a central lock to the list of possible options.
And in 1970, the car acquired a new appearance and a different interior - completely redone, starting with trim, ending with the dashboard. By the way, at the same time the most powerful version of the model came on sale. She had the LS6 454CID engine under the hood. And this power unit generated a power of as much as 450 horsepower! It is not surprising that these models were sold out at one point. By the way, now this car (if you are lucky enough to find it in sales by hand) will cost approximately 1,300,000 rubles. Few people are able to give such money for a car whose age exceeds the mark of 45 years, but if there is such a connoisseur, then he will surely buy this āmonsterā without even thinking.
Last years
Throughout the years of production, up to 1987, the specialists of the American concern continued to improve āEl Caminoā in all plans - from appearance to technical specifications. More than once, developers have tried to borrow something from competitors to make the model attractive to everyone. So, for example, in 1974 the model was equipped with a radiator grill, which copied the famous Mercedes cars. Sport mirrors, rectangular headlights, āautomatic machinesā like Turbo Hydra-matic began to appear.
Then, in the late 70s, began to produce models with several finishes. Diesel engines also gained their popularity (the most famous was the engine from Oldsmobile).
In the 80s, horizontal radiator grills began to be installed on machines, and computerized emission control systems began to be used on engines. In 1983, it was decided to remove the 4.4-liter engine, but left V8 5.0. There was also a 5.7-liter V8 ādiesel."
In recent years, El Camino SS was particularly popular. It was distinguished by an aerodynamic hood and, in general, a very original appearance.
This model has come a long way, filled with changes, improvements and various improvements. In 1987, the specialists of the American company decided that it was time to close the project, and stopped production.