1959 Chevrolet El Camino

Chevrolet's El Camino made it's public debut in the 1959 model year , 2 years after the Ford Ranchero . Chevrolet claims stylists had considered a new coupe pickup back in 1952, well before the Ranchero. It coincided with the year of the completely redesigned, longer, lower and wider full-sized Chevrolet.

Like the Ranchero, it was based on an existing and modified platform, in this case, the 1959 Brookwood two door station wagon and sedan delivery. The El Camino was available with any drivetrain option , but used a single trim level. The exterior used Bel-Air trim while the inside was trimmed like the low-end Biscayne model.

The El Camino was built on Chevrolet's 1959 passenger car chassis that featured a "Safety-Girder" X-frame design and full-coil suspension, which debuted in 1958. The passenger car type standard suspension enabled the El Camino to stand level without a load. An unladen Ranchero had a "raked" stance.  The 1959 El Camino was promoted as the first Chevrolet pickup built with a steel bed floor instead of wood. Its floor was a corrugated sheetmetal insert that was secured with 26 recessed bolts.

The 283 cid Turbo-jet V8 with 2 or 4 barrel carbs ,and several Turbo-Thrust 348 cid V8's with  4 barrel or triple 2 barrel carbs were among the engines available . Even the 250 and 290 bhp 283cid Ramjet Fuel Injection engines were accessable.

A performance magazine test of a Chevrolet El Camino equipped with the hottest powertrain combination available in 1959 ( a 315 bhp , triple-carb, solid-lifter 348 V8 mated to a 4 speed ), clocked 0-60 mph times of about 7 seconds, an estimated top speed of 130 mph , and a 14-second/100-mph 1/4 mile performance with a rear-axle ratio suitable for serious drag racing installed. ( Not too shabby for a vehicle its size .)

A total of 22,246 first year El Caminos were produced for 1959, beating the 21,706 first year Ford Rancheros made in 1957, as well as the 14,169 Ford sedan pickups built in direct competition for 1959 . This very popular car/pickup has been quite the chameleon amongst the car buying public, used either for it's intended purpose of a medium duty utility vehicle, everyday grocery getter, as well as a favorite amongst car customizers and hot rodders. Many prefer the "non eyebrowed" front and non "cat's eyed" tailight of the El Camino that followed in 1960, but to me..the 1959 has character. Love it.