Chevrolet Usa El Camino Fifth generation 1978–1987
| Fifth generation | |
|---|---|
1978 Chevrolet El Camino
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| Overview | |
| Also called | Chevrolet Pickup (Iran, 1984-1987) |
| Production | 1978 El Camino SS 12,027 1978 El Camino Total 54,286 1979 El Camino Total 58,008 1980 El Camino Total 40,932 1981 El Camino Total 36,711 1982 El Camino Total 22,732 1983 El Camino Total 24,010 1984 El Camino Total 22,997 1985 El Camino Total 21,816 1986 El Camino Total 21,508 1987 El Camino Total 13,743 1988 El Camino Total 420 |
| Model years | 1978–1987 |
| Assembly | Baltimore, United States Doraville, Georgia, United States Leeds, Missouri, United States Arlington, United States Fremont, United States Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Ramos Arizpe, Mexico Tehran, Iran (CKD, Pars Khodro) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | A-body pickup (1978-1981) G-body pickup (1982-1987) |
| Related | 1978-1983 Chevrolet Malibu 1978-1988 GMC Caballero |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.3 L (200 cu in) Chevrolet V6 3.8 L (229 cu in) Chevrolet V6 3.8 L (231 cu in) Buick V6 4.3 L (262 cu in) Chevrolet V6 4.4 L (267 cu in) Small-Block V8 5.0 L (305 cu in) Small-Block V8 5.7 L (350 cu in) Small-Block V8 5.7 L (350 cu in) Diesel V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual 4-speed manual 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic. |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 117 in (2,972 mm) |
Fifth generation (1978–1987)
The 1978 through 1987 El Caminos were produced in four trim levels: Classic, Black Knight (1978)/Royal Knight (1979–83), Conquista and Super Sport, and shared chassis components with the Chevrolet Malibu. Chevrolet 90° V6 and Buick V6 engines were used for the first time. The optional 305 cubic-inch small block V8 was rated at 150 or 165 horsepower (123 kW), and from 1982–1984, the Oldsmobile-sourced Diesel engine was also optional.
A new, trimmer El Camino was unveiled in 1978, adopting the new, more sharp-edged Malibu styling, and a one-inch longer wheelbase of 117 in (2,972 mm). The front end sheet metal and doors were shared with the Malibu, and the rear tailgate and bumper was shared with the Malibu station wagon. For the first time, though, the El Camino had a unique chassis - it was shared with no other Chevrolet. The front end featured a new single rectangular headlight design. The base engine was a 200-cubic-inch (3.3-liter) V6 that developed 95 horsepower (71 kW), except in California where, to meet emissions standards, the 231-cubic-inch Buick engine was the base engine . Two upgrades could be ordered: a 305-cubic-inch V8 with 145 horsepower (108 kW), or a 350-cubic-inch V8 with 170 horsepower (130 kW) that was only available in El Caminos and Malibu station wagons. It was not available on Malibu passenger cars (with exception to coupe and sedan Malibu 9C1 police vehicles). Among GM makes, at least, the era of bigness was fading into history, overtaken by a new age of efficiency and economy.
The 1979 model got minimal changes following its debut as a redesigned "new-size" model in 1978. Alterations to the 1979 El Camino amounting to little more than a new divided grille. However, a "small-block" 267-cubic-inch (4.4-liter) V8 joined the options list and slotted between the standard 3.3-liter V6 and the optional 5.0-liter four-barrel V8. The 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V8, developing 170 horsepower (130 kW) was again available. Both three- and four-speed manual transmissions had floor shifters.
The 1980 El Camino started out the 1980s with few changes, though engine choices were shuffled a little. The base V6 displaced 229 cubic inches, up from 200 the year before. Horsepower increased from 94 to 115. Optional again were a 267-cubic-inch V8 with 125 horsepower (93 kW) and a 305 V8, now with 155 horsepower (down five). The 350 with 170 horsepower (130 kW) offered in 1979 was dropped. A three speed floor shifted manual transmission was standard, but most got the optional three-speed automatic.
The 1981 models received a new horizontal tube grill. The 1981 engines mostly continued from 1980, but now used GM's Computer Command Control (CCC) emission system. The base 229-cubic-inch V6 made 110 horsepower (down from 115), as did the California-only 231-cubic-inch Buick V6. Optional engines were the 267-cubic-inch V8 with 115 horsepower (86 kW) and The 305-cubic-inch V8, now with 150 horsepower (110 kW). The three-speed automatic added a lock-up torque converter to aid highway mileage.
1982
The 1982 (through the final 1987) El Camino sported a new frontal appearance with a crosshatch grille flanked by quad rectangular headlights. New under the hood for 1982 was a 105-horsepower 5.7-liter (350-cubic-inch) Diesel V8, which was also offered in Chevy's full-size cars. Though mileage with the diesel was commendable, it was an expensive option and would eventually amass a dismal repair record. Gasoline-engine choices were unchanged, except Chevy's 229-cubic-inch (3.8-liter) V6 was now standard in California-bound cars, replacing Buick's 231-cubic-inch V6.
In 1983, the 4.4-liter V8 was gone, leaving the 5.0-liter version as the only optional gas V8. The standard engine was again Chevy's 3.8-liter V6 with 110 horsepower (82 kW), though California cars, once again, got a Buick V6 with similar specifications. Continuing on the options list was the 5.7-liter V8 Diesel with 105 hp (78 kW). The sister Malibu sedan and wagon were discontinued after the 1983 model year.
The 1984-87 El Camino SS was offered as a conversion (completed by Choo-Choo Customs Inc., of Chattanooga, Tennessee) to include the aerodynamic front end similar to the Monte Carlo SS, but did not receive the L69 engine package.
For 1985, GM shifted El Camino production to Mexico, and the new 4.3 L was standard through 1987.
The mythical 1988 model year
El Camino production ended quietly in late 1987. The serial number of the last El Camino to roll off the line was not publicised; and the GM Heritage Center did not acquire the last one built for its collection. Speculation in online forums indicates 3GCCW80H2HS915586 may be the final vehicle.
Confusion exists because Automotive News lists 420 El Caminos and 325 GMC Caballeros as new car retail deliveries in calendar year 1988. Some of these vehicles have been titled as 1988 models, based on the date of first retail sale. However, these 1988s have "H" as the tenth character in their VIN, so they are actually leftover MY (model year) 1987 vehicles. A legitimate MY 1988 car must have a "J" as the tenth VIN character. Finally, the GM Media Archive/Heritage Center confirmed that no MY 1988 El Caminos or Caballeros were produced.
Australia, South Africa and Middle East
General Motors-Holden's manufactured and marketed coupé utility models in Australia commencing in 1935. GMH continued to offer a Chevrolet coupé utility until 1952. Rebadged Holden coupé utilities, including later Commodore-based models, were sold as the Chevrolet El Camino and Chevrolet Lumina in South Africa and the Middle East. As of 2016, Holden still produces a Commodore-based coupé utility in Australia as the Holden Ute.
Concept vehicles
In 1974, Chevrolet's sister division, Pontiac, reportedly took an El Camino body and grafted on the urethane-nose front end from its Grand Am series and added the GA's instrument panel and Strato bucket seats with recliners and adjustable lumbar support along with Pontiac's Rally II wheels as a styling exercise for a possible Pontiac version of the El Camino; the concept, however, never reached production.
In 1992, GM unveiled an El Camino concept, which was basically a pickup variant of the Chevrolet Lumina Z34. The concept received mixed, mostly negative reviews, most of it because of the car's front wheel drive layout.
During the 1995 model year, GM had a concept El Camino based on the full-size Caprice station wagon using the grille of a 1994-96 Impala SS; this concept was destined for production, but was shelved due to GM's decision to discontinue the B-platform car line at the end of 1996.
The Pontiac G8 ST was shown at the New York International Auto Show in March 2008. Based on the Holden Ute, it was built on the same G8 platform with a 73-inch (1,900 mm) cargo bed. The Sport Truck had the same 361 hp (269 kW), 6.0-liter V8 used in the G8 GT, as well as the 3.6-liter, 300 hp (220 kW) direct-injection V6. The G8 ST, slated for release as a 2010 model, was to be GM's first coupé utility in North America since the El Camino was discontinued in 1987. In January 2009, GM announced to dealers the G8 ST was cancelled due to budget cuts and restructuring. GM was speculated, in 2011, to be considering bringing back the El Camino under the Chevrolet brand as early as 2015.
Today
For years, GM has been rumored to be considering bringing back the El Camino. GM already has a vehicle ready in Australia in the form of the Holden Ute (a Chevrolet-badged version of which, known as the Lumina Ute, is sold in South Africa and Middle East), save for some minor changes necessary to make it available in the U.S.. With Holden production ending, it is now clear that the Holden Ute will not be imported to the US. From 2003-2006, GM did sell in limited numbers the Chevrolet SSR; sales were not what they had hoped and it was cancelled.