Unfortunately, the first El Caminos, unlike their Ford counterparts, the Fairlanes and Rancheros, did not sell well and were officially discontinued in 1960. However, it seems it took the appearance of the Ranchero to spur Chevy to action and, in 1959, the El Camino was introduced. In fact, Chevy promoted it as, “the most beautiful thing that ever shouldered a load!” Even claiming, “It rides and handles like a convertible yet hauls and hustles like the workingest thing on wheels.” Close, But No Cigar!Įarlier, in 1952, General Motors head of Design, Harley Earl, had suggested designing a coupe pickup well before Ford released the Ranchero. Whether or not the story is true, the 1959 El Camino, a sedan-pickup truck, built on an Impala body, was Chevy’s interpretation of an Australian ute, made to look good, while doing some heavy lifting. Rumor has it, in 1932, an Australian farmer’s wife wrote to the Ford factory, requesting a vehicle that could get her to church in style on Sunday, and shuttle her husband’s livestock to market on Monday. Introduced in 1958 in response to Ford’s Ranchero, American car-truck hybrids were originally inspired by Australia’s “utes,” or “coupe utility” vehicles. showcase vintage models like the El Camino in their showrooms, while awaiting a possible new release. Among the first hybrid vehicles in the history of the automotive industry, the Chevrolet El Camino, a combination car-truck, featured the practicality of a pickup truck, while maintaining performance car status.
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