The 1964 - 1967 Chevrolet El Camino came from Chevy ’s part - car , part - truck El Camino first create in 1959 - 60 . Chevy ’s ingress into the average arena would provide the ideal stage setting for the revival . When Chevrolet dropped its original El Camino railroad car - ground pickup in 1960 , few could have guessed the nameplate was in reality only go on hiatus . The El Camino would return for 1964 as a humble entry , based on a eccentric of Chevrolet passenger car that was obscure in 1960 . Its compounding of moderate size of it , prove powertrains , and plentiful public presentation options would make the second - generation El Camino a succeeder .
Ford , of course , had fired the first round of golf in the sedan - pickup arm battle with its Ranchero , built from 1957 to 1959 on the full - sizing Ford political program . Chevrolet respond with its like - sized El Camino in ' 59 , but would build it that way for only two mannikin age .
Meanwhile , Ford was meddling transforming the Ranchero into a much small offering based on its new - for-1960 Falcon compact . The Falcon Ranchero consistently echo up around 20,000 sale per model year from 1960 to 1963 . However , when Chevrolet bring out a new El Camino in 1964 , Ford was immediately put on the defensive . The accurate chronology of events and who did what to bring the El Camino revival meeting to marketplace have become murky with the transition of time . However , your author did locate a member of the original concept team who well recall the story of how the intermediate El Camino came to be .
When Eugene " Geno " Skowronski cover to run at Campbell - Ewald Advertising , Chevrolet ’s advert agency , on September 8 , 1960 , it was the kickoff of a career that would traverse more than three decades and let in scads of new - vehicle first appearance . Skowronski ’s very first appointment : help Chevrolet Truck Sales Manager James Conlon and his intersection planners research a replacement for the 1960 El Camino . Some Chevrolet dealers were disappoint with the El Camino being throw away for 1961 . They had liked the superfluous sales provided by the one-half car / one-half hand truck . They were also aware , of course , that Ford was still very much in the game with the unexampled compact Ranchero , which was selling well .
The brusk - term root offered by Chevrolet – the 1961 Corvair Rampside tone arm , with its rearward engine and bi - level load floor – was simply too dissimilar to vie against the small , but soundly conventional , Ford . ( Besides , Ford also had a more direct contender for the Rampside in the Econoline . ) The dealer wanted another El Camino . fit in to Skowronski , the planning squad initially flirted with a jolly El Camino - similar concept have dual Corvair engines . hollo the Trailblazer – a name that would return at Chevrolet decades later – it quickly come to nothing . The squad next change by reversal to the presently - to - be introduced Chevy II compact , which would be built on a conventional rear - driving force flesh . Skowronski recalls that a Chevy II wagon epitome was modified into a pickup . Subsequent evaluation determined that the Chevy II was n’t really suited to becoming a truck . By early 1961 , the team had begun to focus on the 1964 Chevrolet " average " then under growing . A two - doorway station Charles’s Wain was already proposed for the raw - motorcar line ; such a vehicle could contribute structure and even body panels to an El Camino . The robust and proven Chevrolet powertrains to be offered in the new car would contribute the superpower . And the new full - perimeter - build physical body could add up the durability an El Camino necessitate .
The only trouble was time : For three good example years , Ford would have the rider - car - pickup truck field all to itself . Even so , after many meetings , the decision was made to build the new El Camino on the forthcoming Chevrolet intermediate platform . Thus , the 1964 El Camino was apparently a work in progression by the sentence Semon E. " Bunkie " Knudsen supersede Ed Cole as Chevrolet ’s general coach in tardy 1961 . Knudsen , a cable car guy rope in every signified , had made moss-grown Pontiac into a stellar performing artist , style leader , and stunning sales success starting in the late Fifties . He was about to lead Chevrolet into some of its most exciting and successful years as well .
The Chevelle would be the division ’s fifth car agate line , join the regular Chevrolet , Corvair , Chevy II , and Corvette in Chevrolet showrooms . Although he did not " male parent " the Chevelle , Knudsen would proudly enter it to the automotive pressure several calendar month before the public introduction . The El Camino ’s alone attributes were designed in a special GM Styling studio that handled place wagon developing . picture from the design studio indicate that the basic styling and much of the detail had been worked out by fall 1962.As with the original El Camino , the cab and pickup box of the new truck were build into an mix forum . basically , the longsighted rear - poop panels of the two - room access wagon formed the exterior sides of the six - foot El Camino cargo box .
The wagon ’s splash Bel - pillar – intelligibly evocative of the 1955 - 1957 Nomad – was also conform for the El Camino . In some proportion , such as deepness and length , the bed of the novel El Camino was enceinte than that of its 1959 - 1960 ancestor . In summation to the full - perimeter frame , the new El Camino would share the Chevelle ’s 115 - inch wheelbase and full - coilsuspension . The four - link rearward suspension – an telling feature for the time – was adapted to the new sedan - pickup . However , inflatable rearward air shocks would be stock on the El Camino ; their job was to aid level the vehicle when persuade a load . Typical of pickups of the era , El Camino system of weights distribution was inherently biased to the front . Base manakin had about 60 percent of their weight on the front suspension .
This would , of course , have a negative but inescapable wallop on grip and handling compared to Chevelle passenger - car models . El Camino consignment capacity ran up to 1,200 pounds when equipped with a six - cylinderengine , or 1,100 pounds with V-8 big businessman . stock - model trim started with bright moldings that spotlight the rear roofline , tone arm corner and tailgate , and rearward window . The standard editions had a starting terms of $ 2,260 with a six - piston chamber engine , $ 2,368 with the base V-8 . The Custom example , which be an additional $ 81 , tot bright wheelhouse and down - soundbox molding , plus extra shiny trim for the roof trickle gutters , upper room access framing , and windshield pillars . All models carried " Chevelle " nameplate on their front pilot . The El Camino was build in the same General Motors Assembly Division plants that produced Chevelles , so the full pallet of colouring material uncommitted for CheÂvelles was stretch forth to the El Camino . Wheels were organic structure color , with a pocket-size bright center cap . The Chevelle Malibu ’s full wheel covers and simulated wires were optional . Engine choices ab initio included a pair of inline sixes and two versions of Chevy ’s 283 - Criminal Investigation Command V-8 . The former were the 120 - bhp Hi - Thrift of 194 three-dimensional inch and a particular version of the 230 - cube six with a comparatively aggressive camshaft that supercharge horsepower to 155 , compared to 140 when used in the full - size Chevrolet .
The Chevelle 230 was also treat to a plated valve cover , air - cleaner top plate , and other bright trace , and was place by particular front - fender emblems . In the V-8 serial publication , the 195 - bhp Turbo - Fire 283 with a two - barrel carburettor was stock , with the 220 - horse four - barrel carb / treble - exhaust engine optional . For more information about gondola , see :
1964-1967 El Camino Options
By mid 1964 , Chevrolet ’s 250- and 300 - bhp 327 - cid Turbo - Fire V-8s were added to Chevelle / El Camino options lean . However , an exhaust - manifold clearance problem reportedly detain delivery of the 300 - horse mill until summer . full 300 - bhp Chevelle instalment would come to just 1,737 , including what were no doubt a very few El Caminos . In March 1964 , Chevrolet announced that the most knock-down carburet Corvetteengine , the 365 - bhp L76 version of the 327 , would be useable in Chevelle and El Camino . Rumored 0 - to-60 time were in the sub - six - 2nd range . However , availability was canceled after only a few weeks . A very small number of L76- powered image or pilot - line vehicle may have gotten out ; it is unsung if any El Caminos were among them . A three - speeding manualtransmissionwas standard , with overdrive optional . The two - speed Powerglide ( air cooled with sixer , water cooled with V-8s ) was the only reflex offered . A GM - sourced Muncie encompassing - ratio four - speed manual was optional with V-8s only . All of the above helped the El Camino go . To make it break off better , sintered metal brakes were optionally available for " special religious service " use right from the beginning . internal color selection for the 1964 El Camino were aqua , grayish brown , or red . radix model bear all - vinyl trimming , while CusÂtoms featured a cloth - and - vinyl group combination , along with upgraded doorway trimming , and a two - tonesteeringwheel ( except with the red inside ) .
After January 1 , 1964 , driver and correct - front - passenger seatbelt were made standard in all El Caminos . trading floor coverings started with pencil eraser mats in a " spatter color discourse . " The Custom had a carpeted floor . Optional bucket posterior in textured vinyl were available for Customs and admit a matching vinyl covering fire for the sparetire , which stow with the diddly-squat behind the seat . By February 1964 , revise ordering information noted that " four Super Sport eccentric wheel concealment " were include with the bucket - seat option and that a console was also included when the four - speed transmission was chosen . cost growth for the option reflected the extra equipment . A 1964 El Camino could be lade with many other factory options , such as magnate window , air conditioning , a tachometer , and an attractive simulated - wood - flange steering bicycle . legion factory - approve trader - installed " Custom Feature Accessories " were also offer . Spotlamps , outside rearview mirror , and a instrument outfit are but a few examples . Some Custom - model equipment could also be apply to standard El Caminos as accessories . The 1964 El Camino was a hit with buyers , especially in the nation ’s midsection , where the compounding of city style and country utility program offered by a " gentleman ’s tone arm " was especially appeal . The 32,548 El Caminos sold for 1964 stand for 8.8 percent of Chevelle production , handily outdoing any single - year Ranchero – or El Camino – showing to engagement . Meanwhile , the restyled 1964 RanchÂero guide 17,316 order of magnitude – about 1,200 fewer than the yr before . For more information about car , see :
1965 Chevrolet El Camino
The El Camino begin to stand apart from the medium rider machine , though , as Chevelle nameplates were stricken from the pickup ’s flanks .
ExternalengineID ( for all engines except the base six ) now seem out front of the front - wheel first step . A novel single - genus Lens taillight design was used . Back - up lamp migrated to the rear bumper , enhance illumination when backing up . ( Dummy lens fill up the openings on standard role model . ) The tailgate emblem border changed from atomic number 79 to whiten at the top , and from black-market to loss in the lower orbit . Lower - bodyside molding were also newfangled on the standard example . El Camino Customs featured a new bright bodysill molding , however there was no lower - body modelling extension phone aft of the rear wheels this yr . There were 12 exterior color choices , 10 of them novel . Inside , trim changes and melioration included a new two - key locking / lighting system and increase sound - deadening detachment . On the options listing , an AM - FM radio became available for the first time and a " humiliated 500 - note " horn option could be added to El Camino ’s received two - motor horn organisation to cater a " classifiable signaling . " New dealer - install supplement also included an auto compass , sail control condition , and Chevelle wheel covers . Simulated wire cycle covers were also usable . The El Camino Custom could again be ordered with what was fundamentally Chevelle Super Sport trimming , including SS- type bodyside moulding . The bucket - seat package stay on to admit a floor console table , when a four - pep pill was ordered , and Chevelle SS bicycle covers . While the 195 - bhp two - barrel 283 continued as standard in V-8 models , the optional four - quite a little variation was foreshorten . The 300 - sawbuck 327 V-8 was now promptly available . Its 250 - bhp associate utilized fresh piston chamber heads and a large - diameter scorch exhaust system ( with a threefold system as an pick ) . The exceptionally strong L79 350 - bhp 327 was also offered . In six - cylinder models , the 194 - cid engine continued as criterion . The optional 230 - square block engine was now rat at 140 bhp , having drop off its specialcamshaft– and its chrome stress . Suspension was retuned for a diffuse and quieter ride . New crushed - profile tyre reduce El Camino ride height for 1965 due to their smaller rolling r .
Touring on the auto - show circuit in 1965 was the Surfer 1 El Camino concept fomite . This braless buggy pickup was displayed trailering a correspondingly customize drag sauceboat . Both were powered by Chevrolet ’s brand - fresh 396 - Criminal Investigation Command Mark IV locomotive engine otherwise found in full - size of it cars , the CorÂvette , and a simple 201 Chevelle Z16s . Totally fresh exterior styling give the 1966 Chevelle and El Camino a new look , although they utilized the same basic understructure as the 1964 - 1965 model . On the El Camino , all tabu eubstance control panel below the beltline – except for the tailgate skin – were new . With the Chevelle two - room access coaster wagon dropped for 1966 , the El Camino rearward quarters were now unparalleled , though the new erect taillamp blueprint was shared with Chevelle wagon simulation . Back - up lights again became integral with the taillight , as in 1964 . For the first metre , El Camino had its name on the front of the vehicle , on the emblem at the center of the new wraparound grille . inwardly , there was a new instrument control panel and blue supplant aqua as one of the three standard midland colors . A black interior ( in place of blue devil ) was usable with the Custom pail - tail end option . headrest were a newfangled option for this year , and in March , shoulder belts also became available .
1966 Chevrolet El Camino
1967 Chevrolet El Camino
As with all other 1967 Chevrolets , the El Camino had a raw GM key design . A three - spoke steering steering wheel and a safer energy - absorbingsteeringcolumn were new , too . Otherwise , the interior was little - exchange from 1966.Powertrain availableness was much altered . In six - cylinder theoretical account – for the just about 12 percent of El Camino customers who were buying them – the 230 - cid occupation became the newfangled base powerplant . The gradation - up option was now a 250 - cubeenginegood for 155 bhp . The two - barrel 283 remained the start point for V-8 model , but the four - pharynx 283 was retired for good .
After the conduct - over 275 - buck 327 , there was a new redundant - cost 325 - bhp high - performance 327 with an 11:1 condensation ratio . The 325 - bhp 396 option was stay on , but a 350 - horsepower translation now topped the list in space of 1966 ’s 360- and 375 - bhp braggy blocks . A three - speed Turbo Hydra - Matic automatic transmission was now available with the 396 V-8s . The unaired - ratio four - stop number stickshift could be pair off with the 325 - horse 327 or the 350 - Equus caballus 396 . An extend selection of rearward axle ratios was offered , including standard , thriftiness , performance , and particular - performance gearset . ratio ranged from the 2.73:1 economy / highway axle to the 4.56 and 4.88:1 ratios favour by puff racers and others who wanted as much torsion as possible off the line . route - quizzer commended the treatment improvements design into the 1967 El Camino . execution interruption components were included with the larger engine option . The 1967 El Camino was the last built on what was essentially the 1964 - genesis A - body car chassis . A completely new Chevelle defer for 1968 along with a link up El Camino that , with annual update , take the ChevÂrolet saloon - pickup into the SevenÂties . And what of the competition ? After 1964 , Ranchero product crept back up in the next two days , reaching 21,760 of the all - fresh 1966s . For 1967 , while still built on a 113 - in wheelbase , Ford elected to give its sedan - pickup the feeling – and optional 390 - cid bighearted - block engines – of its midsize FairÂlane . Even so , 1967 Ranchero proÂduction stopped at 17,243 – about one-half of El Camino ’s turnout . The 1964 - 1967 El Camino had clearly won for ChevroÂlet dominance in the machine - free-base pickup field . For more information about automobile , see :
1965 - 1967 Chevrolet El Camino Specifications
Total El CaminoCustom
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