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Posts Tagged: El Camino

Chevrolet El Camino third generation 1968 to 1972

by Ross Mills

The third-gen Chevrolet El Camino, 1968-1972, truly revved up the muscle car game with its Malibu-inspired style and Chevelle platform. In ’68, it flaunted options like posi-traction and a power disk brake for those who wanted to stop as impressively as they could go. The high-performance SS debuted, with engines roaring up to 375 bhp. By 1970, it could house a monstrous LS6 454 engine, racing through the quarter-mile in 13 seconds! Alas, emissions rules in ’71 took a bit of the vroom out of its zoom.

Chevrolet Chevelle 1970 SS 454

by Ross Mills

The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 is a muscle car marvel, boasting a revamped design and the most powerful engine of its era—the LS6 big block. With a whopping 450 hp, this beast could outpace your neighbor’s lawnmower with ease. Only 137 are officially registered today, making them rarer than a unicorn at a car show. If you’re lucky enough to find one, you’d better have a spare pair of pants for when you hit those exhilarating 500 bhp speeds!

El Camino Last Generation-1979 until 1987

by Ross Mills

From 1979 to 1987, the Chevy El Camino slimmed down like a carb-conscious dieter but kept its charm. The “Black Knight” morphed into the “Royal Knight,” and the engines were all about sipping fuel while still packing a punch. The V8s flexed their muscles, but the V6s were the real MVPs in fuel economy. As for transmission, everything went floor-mounted, making gear changes feel like a dance move. By ’82, Chevy added a diesel engine, perfect for those who love conserving fuel and collecting repair bills!

El Camino 1964 to 1967—The Second Generation

by Ross Mills

The second-generation El Camino (1964-1967) was a Chevelle’s twin, chopped at the B-pillars to create a utility vehicle with a flair for power. Starting modestly with six-cylinder engines, it quickly beefed up with V8 muscle, peaking at a 396-cubic-inch beast by ’67. It evolved with each model year, from power boosts to snazzy upgrades like a collapsible steering column and front disc brakes. By 1967, it was a stylish workhorse, versatile enough for hauling hay or hustling on the highway.

El Camino Fourth Generation 1973-1977

by Ross Mills

The fourth-generation El Camino (1973-1977) was the largest yet, boasting a two-door Chevelle wagon platform with bumpers that could absorb a small asteroid. Think Malibu interior with a twist, and you’ve got the Classic model. Handling was as smooth as a jazz sax thanks to a wider wheel track and computer-designed coil springs. Engine options ranged from “get me there” to “hold my coffee,” peaking with a 454-cubic-inch beast. New features included swivel seats, turbine wheels, and a gas tank that could outlast your bladder.

Chevrolet El Camino 1959 and 1960

by Ross Mills

The Chevrolet El Camino, born from a long-gestating prototype, made its grand entrance in 1959 to outsell Ford’s Ranchero, proving that size—and tail fins—do matter. With a “Safety Girder” X frame and engines that could make a speed demon blush, the El Camino was a hit. Yet, the 1960 model, with a tamer rear fin and fewer horsepower, couldn’t keep up with Ford’s Falcon Ranchero. The El Camino was benched, leaving Chevy’s engineers scratching their heads, likely while saying, “We’ll be back.”

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