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More information than you may want to
know! El Camino History
 1959 impala convertible
First generation Production(1959-1960)
The first El Camino was produced for the 1959 model year (two years after the Ranchero) and was based on that year's Chevrolet Impala. The truck's development was rushed, and it was not as successful as the Ford, with 22,246 built the first year. The 1960 model tracked the changes on the Impala, with an extensive restyling. Sales were down at 14,163 and Chevrolet decided to discontinue the model. In total, 36,409 first generation El Caminos were produced.
Second generation (1964-1967)
Engine:327 in small
block
396 in big
block
Four
years later, with
Ford's Ranchero
still selling well,
Chevrolet
reincarnated the El
Camino, based on the
new
Chevrolet Chevelle
platform. That 1964
model was basically
identical to the
Chevelle forward of
the B-pillars, but
Chevrolet considered
the vehicle a
practical, utility
model and the
Chevelle's most
powerful engines
were not available. 1965
saw the availability
of performance
versions of the 327
engine with some
350 hp. 1966 brought
added a 396 in
engine to the lineup
rated at 325-375 hp.
The 1965 327 would
run low 15s in the
1/4 mile (at some
90 mph), while 1966
to 1969 models were
easily into the mid-
to upper-14s. The El
Camino followed the
Chevelle's styling
update for 1967,
with a new grille,
front bumper, and
trim.
Air shocks were
introduced, allowing
the driver to
compensate for a
load.
Third generation (1968-1972)
Engine: 396 in
Big-Block
V8
402 in
Big-Block
V8
454 in
LS6
V8Introduced a longer El Camino, based on the station
wagon 4-door sedan wheelbase. A new, high
performance Super Sport SS396 version was launched,
alongside the Chevelle version. 1969 models were
very similar, but 1970 saw the availability of a new
SS396 which actually displaced 402 in (although all
emblems read 396). Chevrolet's largest and
most-powerful engine of the time was also put into a
select few El Caminos. The LS6 454 in engine, rated
at 450 hp and 500 ft·lbf of torque, gave the El
Camino 1/4 mile times in the upper 13 second range
at almost 105 mph.
The 1971 model saw reduced power and performance,
along with the rest of Chevrolet's line, as
lower-octane unleaded fuel was mandated, and
emissions controls began to be felt. Single
headlights replaced double for 1971, and the grille
came now to a point. Little changed but still lower
power outputs for 1972.
A re-badged El Camino called the GMC Sprint debuted
in 1971
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sources include chevrolet concise history wikipedia etc..copyrights are those of respective authors
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