With 1971 came government mandates requiring lower-octane unleaded fuel, which resulted in reduced performance and power with the rest of GM's vehicles. ![]() A few select 1970 El Caminos received the LS6 454 cubic inch engine, which was Chevrolet's most powerful engine and was rated up to 450 hp. It didn't hurt that you could pack the big block V8, which was sadly discontinued in 1975. The Super Sport (SS) 396 was launched alongside a Chevelle twin in 1968. This is the generation where the El Camino made the jump from utility car to sporty ride. ![]() Despite its larger size, it was lighter than the previous generation thanks to lighter construction and a front-end restyle with quad stacked headlights. In alignment with its popularity, the El Camino grew in its third generation and was built on a 4-door sedan wheelbase. Third Generation (1968 - 1972)Ī 1968 El Camino SS 396 via Wikimedia Commons. Air shocks were also incorporated, which allowed drivers to compensate for heavy loads. This comprised of a new front bumper, grille, and trim. This trend of growing engines continued over the next few years, culminating in a 396 V8 big block rated up to 375 hp.Ĭertain Chevy models received a refreshed design in 1967, the El Camino included. 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.Ī year later, a performance version of the V8 was available that pushed it up to 350 hp. With the Ranchero still selling well, Chevy brought back the El Camino on the proven Chevelle platform. 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. The El Camino was built on a modified Brookwood station wagon platform. 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 a direct challenge Ford's Ranchero, a utility coupe dominating a previously untapped market. Is it a truck, or is it a car? We'll try to answer that question in this post. Sources:, ,, ,, , american-muscle-cars.In the history of the automotive world, no car has evoked the existential stoicism of the Chevy El Camino. That said, buyers later reversed course in their desires, wanting GM to downsize their future productions, while still keeping the sleeker and more aerodynamic look. With this in mind, cars became bigger and fatter, but without sacrificing the sleeker and more aerodynamic look. ![]() Oddly enough, GM had correctly perceived just how much buyers wanted bigger, heavier, more substantial cars in the 1960s and 1970s, which is what they did when the time came. ![]() In retrospect, this began a trend that culminated in the movement away from sharp-edged boxy cars like the Chevelle and toward a rounder, more organic-shaped chassis. This new look was more innovative, attractive, and groundbreaking, differing greatly from the convention three-box style cars that preceded it. The 1968 El Camino was also known for being sleeker and more aerodynamic than its predecessor, the 1967 Chevelle.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |