1986 Chevrolet El Camino

The Chevrolet El Camino was introduced in 1959 and built for two years before going dormant, resuming in 1965, and built through 1977 on the new Chevelle platform. GMC's badged El Camino version, the Sprint, was introduced for the 1971 model year. When Chevelle ceased production in 1977, the El Camino retained the Malibu chassis and most of the Malibu's mechanical components. El Camino produciton ended in 1987.

The fifth generation El Camino, built from 1978 to 1987, was built on the Malibu chassis, was powered by Buick V6 engines, and was produced in four trim levels. The 305 cubic-inch optional small block engine developed 165 hp, and in 1983, the 4.4 liter V8 was dropped in favor of the 5.0-liter unit. The standard engine in 1986 was Chevrolet's 3.8-liter V6 unit developing 110 horsepower.

The name, El Camino, means 'The Road' in Spanish. It was inspired by the Aussie Utes produced by Ford in the 1930s, and during the early 1950s, Harley Earl had envisioned a car/truck. It was the Ford Ranchero, however, that introduced the American market to this concept in 1957. By the 1980s, they were less utilitarian and more luxurious than ever.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022