![]() The El Camino was built on Chevy's 1959 passenger-car chassis that featured a "Safety-Girder" X-frame design and full-coil suspension, both of which had debuted on the 1958s. Like the Ranchero, it was based on an existing and modified platform, namely the new-for-1959 Brookwood two-door station wagon and corresponding sedan delivery variant unlike those models, the El Camino was available with any trim level and drivetrain option corresponding to the car line, including that of the Chevrolet Impala. It sold in fewer numbers than the more conservatively styled Fords, but 22,246 El Caminos were sold, beating Ford's 14,169 Ranchero sales. This was the year of the completely redesigned, longer, lower and wider full-sized Chevrolet. As was often becoming the case, though, it took Ford's example to convince Chevrolet to move, and Chevy's response to the Ranchero did not appear until 1959, just as Ford was preparing to shift gears. Chevrolet stylists had considered a new coupe pickup well before the Ranchero appeared according to stylist Chuck Jordan, Harley Earl himself had suggested such a thing back in 1952. The first El Camino was produced for the 1959 model year two years after the Ford Ranchero's introduction. First generation (1959–1960) First generation The El Camino and Ranchero would compete only in the 1959 model year. By the time Chevrolet unveiled the El Camino, the full-size Ford Ranchero was already headed for the last roundup. ![]() Furthermore, Chevrolet's efforts on the truck front "were focused on releasing smooth-sided "Fleetside" pickups as more-practical midseason successors to the Cameo. It would still have been impractical to engineer a response to the relatively low-volume Ranchero, which Ford simply facelifted for 1958. Chevrolet had a one-year body design for its 1958 passenger cars. Ford however had a totally new chassis and body that year making the timing right only for Ford. Chevrolet was locked into the third and final edition of its 1955 chassis/body program for 1957. The 1959 El Camino was Chevy's eventual answer to the Ford Ranchero. But Ford had another surprise in store for the competition in 1957. The Cameo no doubt inspired Dodge, International, and Ford to offer flush-side cargo boxes on some of their 1957 pickups. ![]() Although a truck in every sense, the Cameo offered an unprecedented array of car-like features Two-tone paint, smooth V8 power, an automatic transmission, a relatively luxurious interior, power assists, and more were among its attractions. The mid-1955 introduction of Chevrolet's stylish Cameo Carrier pickup helped pave the way for the El Camino.
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