Шевроле Эль Камино: История и Эволюция Купе-Пикапа

The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupé utility vehicle that was produced by Chevrolet between 1959–60 and 1964–1987. Unlike a standard pickup truck, the El Camino was adapted from the standard 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, based on the Biscayne's B body, lasted only two years. Production resumed for the 1964–1977 model years based on the Chevelle platform, and continued for the 1978–1987 model years based on the GM G body platform. Although based on corresponding General Motors car lines, the vehicle is classified in the United States as a pickup. GMC's badge engineered El Camino variant, the Sprint, was introduced for the 1971 model year. Renamed Caballero in 1978, it was also produced through the 1987 model year.

The concept of a two door vehicle based on a passenger car chassis with a tray at the rear began in the United States in the 1920s with the roadster utility (also called "roadster pickup" or "light delivery") models. Ford Australia was the first company to produce a coupé utility as a result of a 1932 letter from the wife of a farmer in Victoria, Australia, asking for "a vehicle to go to church in on a Sunday and which can carry our pigs to market on Mondays". Ford designer Lew Bandt developed a suitable solution, and the first coupé utility model was released in 1934.

Chevrolet reintroduced the El Camino four years later based on the mid size Chevrolet Chevelle. The 1964 model was similar to the Chevelle two door wagon forward of the B pillars and carried both "Chevelle" and "El Camino" badges, but Chevrolet marketed the vehicle as a utility model and the Chevelle's most powerful engines were not available. Initial engine offerings included six cylinder engines of 194 and 230 cubic inches with horsepower ratings of , respectively. The standard V8 was a 283 cubic inch Chevrolet small block with two barrel carburetor and with optional engines including a 283 with four barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. Added to the El Camino's option list during the course of the 1964 model year were two versions of the 327 cubic inch small block V8 rated at —the latter featuring a higher compression ratio of 10.5:1, larger four barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. El Caminos also featured Air shocks in the rear, as well as fully boxed frames. The shocks were continued over all generations, the frames only thru 1967.

The 1965 El Camino received the same facelift as the 1965 Chevelle, with a more pronounced V shaped front end, and a higher performance L79 version of the 327 engine rated at that was also available in Chevelles. Most of the other engines were carried over from 1964, including the 194 and 230 cubic inch Turbo Thrift sixes, the 283 cubic inch Turbo Fire V8 and 327 cubic inch Turbo Fire V8s of .

In 1966, GM added a V8 engine to the lineup rated from 325 to 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. New sheetmetal highlighted the 1966 El Camino, identical to the Chevelle. A new instrument panel with horizontal sweep speedometer was featured. Inside, the standard version featured a bench seat interior and rubber floor mat from the low line Chevelle 300 series, while the Custom used a more upscale interior from the Chevelle Malibu with plusher cloth and vinyl or all vinyl bench seats and deep twist carpeting, or optional Strato swivel bucket seats with console. A tachometer was optional.

Chevrolet introduced a longer El Camino in 1968, based on the Chevelle station wagon/four door sedan wheelbase (, overall length: ); it also shared Chevelle Malibu exterior and interior trims. The interior was revamped including cloth and vinyl or all vinyl bench seats and deep twist carpeting. All vinyl Strato bucket seats and center console were an $111 option. Power front disc brakes and Positraction were optional. A new, high performance Super Sport SS396 version was launched. The Turbo Jet 396 was offered in or versions. Returning to the official options list for the first time since late 1966 was the L78. It had solid lifters, big port heads, and an 800 cfm Holley four barrel on a low rise aluminum manifold. A three speed manual was standard with all engines, and a four speed or automatic was optional. In 1968, the SS was a separate model (the "SS 396"). The 1969 models showed only minor changes, led by more rounded front end styling. A single chrome bar connected quad headlights, and a slotted bumper held the parking lights. New round instrument pods replaced the former linear layout. For the first time, the Chevrolet 350 V8 was used in an El Camino. The Super Sport group included a 396 cubic inch V8 beneath a double domed hood, along with a black out grille displaying an SS emblem. More potent editions of the 396 engine, developing also made the options list. Options included power windows and locks. Curiously, back up lights moved from the rear bumper to the tailgate, where they were ineffective when the gate was down.

The 1970 models received sheet metal revisions that gave the bodies a more squared up stance, and interiors were also redesigned. The new SS396, which actually displaced (although all emblems read 396) was available. Chevrolet's largest and most powerful engine of the time was also put into a select few El Caminos. The LS6 454 CID engine, rated at and of torque, gave the El Camino 1/4 mile times in the upper 13 second range at around .

A range of Chevrolet models, based on the Holden HK, was introduced onto the South African market in 1969. A coupe utility version was released in 1971 under the Chevrolet El Camino name
A facelifted El Camino AJ was released in 1976 with production ceasing in 1978.