Chevrolet

The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupé utility vehicle that was produced between 1959–60 and 1964–1987. Unlike a standard pickup truck, the El Camino was adapted from the two-door Chevrolet station wagon platform and integrated the cab and cargo bed into the body. Introduced in the 1959 model year in response to the success of the Ford Ranchero coupé utility, its first run lasted only two years. Production resumed for the 1964–1977 model years based on the Chevelle platform. 

The third generation, much longer El Camino was introduced in 1968, based on the Chevelle station wagon wheelbase. It shared the Chevelle Malibu exterior and interior trims. A new, high-performance Super Sport SS 396 version was launched, featuring a 6,489 cc (396 cu) V8 engine.

For 1973, the El Camino was redesigned. Matching the Chevelle line and using the wagon chassis, the fourth generation was the largest El Camino. Energy-absorbing hydraulic front bumper systems on these vehicles 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.

A downsized El Camino was unveiled for 1978 model year, adopting the new, more sharp-edged Malibu styling. The front end sheet metal and doors were shared with the Malibu and the rear bumper was shared with the Malibu station wagon. For the first time, the El Camino had a unique chassis – it was shared with no other Chevrolet. The El Camino trims started with the base model, then the Conquista, which mainly consisted of a special paint treatment and finally the Super Sport which was the sports model available with six-cylinder and V8 engines.