When Chevrolet reintroduced the El Camino with the new Chevelle line in
1964 the unique car/truck blend was broadly praised by the
automotive press and embraced by the fullsize Chevrolet-based El
Camino, so it seemed like a bit of a risk for General Motors'
largest division, but the proof was in the sales with over 32,000
produced in 1964, and nearly 35,000 in 1965. While the 1959-1960 El
Caminos were not produced in such large numbers, they had risen to
nearly cult status by the time the Chevelle line was introduced, and
buyers were clamoring for the return of the small truck. And, since
the all new Chevelle was likened to a reinvention of the incredibly
successful 1955 Chevy, there was no reason the line couldn't
recreate another great idea from the past.
The El Camino, a "pretty" little truck instead of a car, in Chevrolet
language, was marketed solely through the Chevrolet truck line. It
did not appear in any of the Chevelle brochures or advertisements
and was considered a completely separate vehicle line. While
Chevrolet may have made a clear distinction between the cars and the
trucks, the El Camino certainly displays its car roots and Chevelle
family heritage by sharing drive train, front metal and interior
appointments with the rest of the Chevelle line. The two styles of
early El Caminos, the Standard and the Custom, borrowed directly
from the Chevelle line in trim and appointments. The Standard El
Camino was a plain truck, with trim and interior appointments taken
from the 300 Deluxe Chevelle, while the Custom El Camino was more
upscale and shared the appointments found in the Chevelle Malibu
models. It could even be dressed up to look like a Malibu SS, but
without the Super Sport badges. Bucket seats, consoles for floor
shifts and tachometers were all available.
Any of the engine and transmission choices available in the Chvelle
line were also available in the El Camino. Any combination, from a
sedate straight six with a column shift PowerGlide automatic to a
hot 350hp V8 and a 4-speed, was as close as the order sheet. Since
it was considered a truck, the El Camino came standard with a fully
boxed frame and stiffer springs all around. By combining a car's
ride and handling with a truck's utility and strength, Chevy's
"other hot who-seater" could pick up bales as well as babes! With
the best of both worlds going for it, the El Camino was a hit.
All El Caminos are highly sought after today and many are lovingly
restored or modified and are a popular sight at cruise nights and
car shows. Exact Details offers its first El Camino as part of its
1965 Chevelle line. It is the first-generation El Camino to be
offered in the popular 1:18 scale. Exact Details had modeled a "best
of both worlds" Custom El Camino in Tuxedo Black with a two-tone red
interior, 300hp/327ci engine and a 4-speed.
El Camino loosely translated from Spanish, means "The Road".
