1969 Chevrolet El Camino

The Chevrolet El Camino first appeared mounted on the 1959 full-size Chevy frame with production being brief, lasting to 1960. It was a pickup version of the full-size Brookwood station wagon in response to Ford's Ranchero pickup.

It returned for 1964, this time on the popular mid-size Chevelle platform, and it proved to be very popular due to its styling, features, and load capacity that exceeded the Falcon-based Ranchero. By 1966, the El Camino could be ordered with the same equipment as a Chevelle SS, albeit without that package's badging and blacked-out grille treatment. This changed in 1968 when consumers could order the full SS396-option package for the El Camino, including the same SS badging, trim, and 5-spoke Super Sport wheels as its coupe and convertible siblings. 1968 brought dramatic new styling, and minor changes were applied for 1969. Chevy advertising announced 'If the competition had one like this one, we'd have a lot more competition'.

The 1969 El Camino possessed the same styling of the Bill Mitchell-designed Chevelle on which it was based. It featured a longer hood, angular side windows, a recessed rear window, and a rakish front end. It could also be packed with the same power and performance.

The El Camino gave the owner the convenience of a truck with the amenities of a passenger car. A total of 48,385 examples were sold in 1969.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2019