1/14/2024 0 Comments El camino new modelThese engine options made the ’59 El Camino very special as the fuel injected version is very rare, as is the dual-quad 283. If that wasn’t enough, how about a 290-horse fuel injected 283? Yes, four different versions of the popular small-block. Next was a rare dual-quad two four-barrel 283 putting out 270 horsepower. The small block 283 was offered in a 185-horse two-barrel version, followed by a single four barrel at 230 horses. However, most notable for ’59 was the different 283’s a consumer could order. Numerous V8 versions were available, with the tri-power three two barrel 348 its highest power producer at 335 horses. Included were three engines including the standard 135-horse, 235-inch Stovebolt inline-6, while optional were two V8s ala the 283 small-block V8 or the powerful 348 big-block V8. Considering Ford’s first Ranchero came out in 1957 and sold well at 21,706 vehicles, it surprised everyone who followed this novel car/truck market.Īs for the engine and drivetrain combos on that first ever ’59 El Camino, there were many to choose from. Built on the 119-inch wheelbase two-door Chevy Brookwood station wagon chassis with BelAir livery outside and a Biscayne interior, Chevy surprised Ford’s ’59 Ranchero with better overall sales of 22,246 to 14,169, respectively. When introduced in 1959, Chevy’s new “half-car/half-truck” had a good first year of sales. Both the El Camino and Ranchero are classic “car/pickup” vehicles and both became more popular with collectors as the years clicked by. Then, after a three model year layoff, Chevy came back with the intermediate size El Camino from 1964 to 1987, including generations two through six. The El Camino began with its first generation that only spanned two years of 19. And I’m going to include a little bit of Ford Ranchero information as a comparison because the Ranchero was El Camino’s main competitor. Can you give some history? Thanks and any other info on the El Camino line is appreciated.Ī: Ernie, I’m happy to help. Still, we aren’t convinced that a new El Camino would be anything more than a niche vehicle.Q: Hi Greg, I read a lot about the muscle cars of the 1960s and am wondering about the history of the Chevy El Camino as it relates to drive trains and engine horsepower. He added that “there is the free trade agreement between the US and Australia which means we are not precluded from selling Australian-made light commercial vehicles in the US market.” Holden would much welcome any added export production. However we are keeping our options open….we haven’t made a decision on the next generation Ute to its presence in export markets outside Australia,” says. “Any speculation on the trademarking of the El Camino name is just that – speculation. Australian website AdelaideNow spoke with Holden spokesman Sean Poppitt about the possibility of exporting the car. If brought over, the Ute would be classified as a light-commercial vehicle. Clearly, developing an all-new El Camino in the U.S wouldn’t make business sense, but the Ute is a ready-made example. The Ute is popular in Australia as a vehicle that offers a lot of cargo capacity, with good fuel mileage.Ĭars with truck beds have never caught on in the United States, the El Camino being the exception. It is, in effect, a modern day El Camino. One car that has been constantly talked about is the Holden Ute. The Chevrolet Caprice PPV is an example of that, as well as speculation around a new full-size Buick. GM says it’s much more than that, but we get the point: they are bringing it over as a model aimed at enthusiasts.Īuto magazines here in the United States have wanted Holden vehicles here in the U.S for a long time. Everyone is talking about it as a de facto successor to the G8. Chevrolet is going to capitalize on that goodwill with a new performance sedan dubbed the SS. The Pontiac G8 was the best example of this, and it is a car much loved by enthusiasts today. These were big rear-wheel drive cars that fit perfectly with Pontiac’s stated mission. Previously General Motors had indicated that it would pursue a strategy of sourcing vehicles from Holden in Australia. For many enthusiasts, Pontiac was just beginning to get on the right track when it was axed.
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