Here’s how the Chevy El Camino was America's most popular coupe utility vehicle

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  • Опубліковано 3 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 207

  • @12yearssober
    @12yearssober Рік тому +48

    Had a 68 with the 427. That was a rare option. Normally they could only be in wagons and camaros.

    • @TheRoadhammer379
      @TheRoadhammer379 Рік тому

      Was that a dealer only option because it's nowhere in the GM sales literature

    • @12yearssober
      @12yearssober Рік тому

      @@TheRoadhammer379
      I'm sure it had to be ordered that way. Often a dealer would push it through. Usually took a phone call. That is why there are so many weird combinations of options on GM from those years.

  • @Magnum062
    @Magnum062 Рік тому +31

    I was a grocery bag boy in the late 90s and often assisted a one legged gentlemen that owned a 70s era maroon on silver SS model. Was well kept almost show quality and the kicker was it was nearing 1 million miles! Sadly the car ended up totaled a few hundred miles short.

    • @alpaljl
      @alpaljl Рік тому +1

      What a shame!! I know someone who had a high-milage Mercury Grand Marquis that was also totaled shortly before the seven digit milestone as well.

    • @Magnum062
      @Magnum062 Рік тому

      @@alpaljl R.I.P to that GM

  • @CJColvin
    @CJColvin Рік тому +39

    Both the Ranchero and the Elcamino are definitely badass American made Utes.

  • @thembanjoko2844
    @thembanjoko2844 Рік тому +29

    Chevrolet El Camino that was sold in South Africa in the 1970s was basically a rebadged Holden HQ Ute, as Chevrolet's South African lineup at the time consisted of rebadged Opels and Holdens like the Chevy Constantia, which was a rebadged Holden Brougham and the Chevy 2500/3800/4100 series, which was a rebadged Opel Rekord D powered by Holden's straight-six engines.

  • @ejgrant5191
    @ejgrant5191 Рік тому +9

    I have owned both Rancheros and El Caminos....Great vehicles for suburban living. Wish GM had brought the Holden "UTE" over....Would have loved one of those.

  • @steveh7564
    @steveh7564 Рік тому +16

    There was the Subaru Baja from 2003 to 2006 based off the Outback. Owned one and loved it. Sometimes still wishing I had it but traded it in for a 2013 Taurus SHO. Didn't need a full-size truck and a small truck.

  • @SuperGshelton
    @SuperGshelton Рік тому +26

    Interesting piece of El Camino history. The USAF used 396 equipped El Caminos as chase vehicles for the U2 spy plane from the late 60's until the early 80's when they were replaced by the Mustang SSP.

    • @rnb250
      @rnb250 Рік тому +1

      Why did they need chase vehicles?

    • @charlesbakston7414
      @charlesbakston7414 Рік тому +5

      ​@@rnb250To help the U2 Spy Plane land due to the U2's landing gears being narrow

  • @christianocampos158
    @christianocampos158 Рік тому +33

    Car based pickup trucks weren't enough of a success in the US, but in South America there is still many car based trucks, like the Saveiro/Robust that is still being sold to this day and based on the recently ended VW Gol car.
    And currently there is also plenty of compact SUV based trucks in the South American market like the Fiat Toro and Strada(with also a RAM variant) and the Renault Oroch.
    And also in the early 2000s there was a car based truck from GM called the Chevrolet Montana/Tornado that was sold from 2003 to 2011 and recently got a reboot.

    • @engineer_alv
      @engineer_alv Рік тому +4

      I remember seeing Mexican market Montanas renamed as Tornado. But those were newer like mid 2010s.
      And the Ford Courier based on the late 90s Fiesta but that was cancelled like a decade ago.

    • @agustinsoave9790
      @agustinsoave9790 Рік тому

      In the late 90's and early 2000's there was a 'pick up' based on the Chevrolet/Opel Corsa. And in the early 2010's Peugeot made the Hoggar based on the 207 platform. Those vehicules were produced especially for brazilian consumers.

    • @padroooo
      @padroooo Рік тому +1

      I always wanted one. Thanks Pat.

  • @luvmalynn
    @luvmalynn Рік тому +2

    I have an 84 ElCo Conquista and I absolutely LOVE her!!

  • @nathancook1404
    @nathancook1404 Рік тому +17

    You should look into Holden's version of the Ute including Ford Australia's Version since Australia was the Country that created the Ute which would later become the Idea for the American Maker later on.

  • @michaelb.42112
    @michaelb.42112 Рік тому +3

    I always loved the El Camino, and the Brady Bunch Chevelle wagon.

  • @carexpertandy
    @carexpertandy Рік тому +7

    There was also the Subaru Baja for models years 2003-06 based on the Legacy/Outback, which Wikipedia shows to be the successor of the BRAT.

  • @stevendenton4965
    @stevendenton4965 Рік тому +1

    Loved the El Camino. I used to live just a few miles from Choo-Choo Customs. They could customize anything.

  • @matt_b...
    @matt_b... Рік тому +3

    Man, given how often these other youtubers are getting strikes or demonitized, I feel like I'm watching a game of chicken every time a clip of another show comes up, or a song comes up. With the breaking bad el camino clip, we got a twofer. ha... keep up the good work, these are ridiculously addicting.

  • @deathtrapgarage506
    @deathtrapgarage506 Рік тому +1

    i remember seeing the G8 Ute at a new york auto show when i was a kid. cool car!

  • @blackericdenice
    @blackericdenice Рік тому +2

    4:40 smog pumps did help reduce emissions but they didn’t hurt hp. The engine made less hp because GM installed weaker camshaft.

  • @johndornoff
    @johndornoff Рік тому +5

    Thanks for the video. I owned a 1980 El Camino Conquista. The problem was the car got more miles going vertically than it did horizontally, as it constantly had problems. However, have some great memories, such as when I went to a party that a coworker was having and ended up having to take 3 pretty girls home. Got followed by the police for a couple of miles and thought for sure they would pull us over with 4 people in a car for 3, but it was just before the mandatory seatbelt law went into effect.

  • @votekyle3000
    @votekyle3000 Рік тому

    Glad you put out a community post, totally missed this one

  • @davidp2888
    @davidp2888 Рік тому +2

    Team El Camino

  • @DUNEATV
    @DUNEATV Рік тому +3

    Absolutely love this channel!

  • @uttasyda9746
    @uttasyda9746 Рік тому +5

    Those Holden aussie trucks....I want one!!!❤😍❤

    • @syxepop
      @syxepop Рік тому +1

      There's at least a company in California that will "Ute" a US-spec Chevy SS or Pontiac G8 (Holden-made sedans) you provide. Check Doug Demuro's channel as he reviewed one such a few years ago.

  • @peterhessedal8539
    @peterhessedal8539 Рік тому +6

    I didn't realize that the El Camino lasted until '87. I always really thought of them as a 70s icon.

  • @MichaelOKeefe2009
    @MichaelOKeefe2009 Рік тому +16

    You forgot to mention that Chevrolet did attempted to revive the El Camino in the 1990s based off the Impala SS but never went to production.

    • @johnd8892
      @johnd8892 Рік тому +4

      As did Pontiac in 2008 with the Pontiac G8 ST meaning Street Truck. Built and badged in Australia by Holden. Just playing as I type this.

    • @alpaljl
      @alpaljl Рік тому

      That would have been interesting, had it made production.

  • @WhittyPics
    @WhittyPics Рік тому +1

    Boco Brothers released a video on the Ranchero today. It is like you guys are working together.

  • @LYTOMIZE_Woodshop
    @LYTOMIZE_Woodshop Рік тому

    Man, I still want one today. Maybe some day!!!!

  • @rmgjr3
    @rmgjr3 Рік тому

    love this video. had a 79 GMC Caballero. Miss it to this day.

  • @1heavyelement
    @1heavyelement Рік тому

    i owned a 75 Camino for a short time. i understand its limitations all to well. thank you for the content and eagerly looking forward to you next video.

  • @Pillowbiter84
    @Pillowbiter84 Рік тому

    Thanks for another great Saturday night video.

  • @johnd8892
    @johnd8892 Рік тому +3

    Holden in Australia were making Chevrolet car based equivalents of the El Camino from about 1934. A 1948 model that found its was to US collectors can be found on UA-cam searching for 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster Ute:
    First made by Holden a month or two after Ford in Australia did the same thing.
    Called Coupe Utilities, Utilities or commonly shortened to just a Ute by Australians.

  • @terrycoxusa
    @terrycoxusa Рік тому +5

    I owned a 1960 Ford Falcon Ranchero and a 1966 Ranchero. Never went down the GM path.

  • @johnd8892
    @johnd8892 Рік тому +2

    Ford Australia had been making a Ranchero version of Ford sedans since 1934. Called Coupe Utilities in Australia they became very popular.
    A surviving 1948 Australian production ute can be found in UA-cam by searching for Ford 48 Coupe Utility ..
    Just a month or two later in 1934 Holden released their Chevrolet version of the ute.
    They then went on to have one or more ute versions of the cars they made up until the 2017. The imported Ford Ranger excuse for a proper car based ute being the top selling car in Australia for the last four months toppling the long reign of the Toyota Hi Lux having supply problems.

  • @hailstorm1986
    @hailstorm1986 Рік тому +1

    I always loved Jason London's 76 El Camino in Dazed and Confused.😇

  • @Giratina1999
    @Giratina1999 Рік тому +6

    Can we get a MOC on the Isuzu Impulse/Geo Storm??

  • @420dportkid
    @420dportkid Рік тому +2

    Thank you so much for explaining the black knight. The guy down the street had one. I know it changed to royal knight but I never knew why. 👍

    • @gordocarbo
      @gordocarbo Рік тому +1

      most of those models with the special names werent much more than a decal package. None of them real rare or desirable

  • @captdramamine
    @captdramamine Рік тому

    thanks for this episode. I am a huge el camino fan. I've owned a '75, '86 and '72 SS, in that order. When Pontiac had a Holden Ute based concept, I was super excited the el camino was going to make a comeback... but alas. GM dropped Pontiac and the Ute models. I can still dream...

  • @landyachtfan79
    @landyachtfan79 Рік тому

    The car that hauls!!!!! 8:53................without a doubt, one of THE sexiest songs EVER recorded!!!!!!

  • @SD-ol9os
    @SD-ol9os Рік тому

    This was a great video. I learned a lot. I never knew GMC had the Sprint.

  • @pamswilder51
    @pamswilder51 Рік тому +90

    There is one rotting in the driveway down the street. It deserves better.

    • @CommodoreFan64
      @CommodoreFan64 Рік тому +10

      I'd go find the owner/s, and make an offer to buy it if it's in good enough shape to fix up.

    • @pamswilder51
      @pamswilder51 Рік тому +16

      @@CommodoreFan64 They won't sell. That's why it's a shame.

    • @bobhill3941
      @bobhill3941 Рік тому +9

      ​@@pamswilder51 That's sad, I have a similar scenario with a car in the laneway of a house close to where I grew up. It's 1966-67 GTO.

    • @marrymekatsuya
      @marrymekatsuya Рік тому +14

      ​@@pamswilder51 it's always "I'll restore it one day" untill they inevitably die off and the car is fucked sadly

    • @pamswilder51
      @pamswilder51 Рік тому +8

      @@marrymekatsuya Yes. Frank died at 97. His grandson got it, but does nothing.

  • @johnnymason2460
    @johnnymason2460 Рік тому

    The Chevrolet El Camino, GMC Sprint/Caballero, and Ford Ranchero are car-based pickups that I would love to have right now. They would have been considered utes in Australia. We should have gotten modern replacements when the Australian utes were still being produced. The Pontiac G8 ST would have been great to have right now.

  • @grunkohlaktionar7474
    @grunkohlaktionar7474 Рік тому +1

    Please an Episode on the Mitsubishi Diamante

  • @johnrouhan1950
    @johnrouhan1950 Рік тому +1

    The Coupe Ute (utility) was design by an Australian Ford designer in and built in 1934 . So Utes were built many car companies GM-Holden etc. but sadly with Ford and Holden (GM) stopping manufacturing years ago,

  • @TheCRTman
    @TheCRTman Рік тому +1

    Excellent episode/ I still see a couple el caminos rolling around in SF. It's sad to hear about the horsepower reduction throughout the 70's.

  • @googleuser3760
    @googleuser3760 Рік тому

    Excellent video👏👏👍

  • @joelikespotatoes8321
    @joelikespotatoes8321 Рік тому

    Ok that appearance package looks sick as hell.

  • @anthony_rivera4735
    @anthony_rivera4735 Рік тому +2

    Please do a video about the Ford Explorer Sport Trac soon

  • @Unicornmazda
    @Unicornmazda Рік тому +1

    There’s a Subaru Baja that’s a car based pickup. It ran in the 2000s and looked like the outback .

  • @stewpuddy4161
    @stewpuddy4161 Рік тому

    Another great video!

  • @Patrick_Cooper
    @Patrick_Cooper Рік тому +1

    Oh come on, you mention the 59 El Comino, in the first sentence and then show a later model version. The 59, is the sexiest looking of all the Caminos, hands down. Have you ever seen the interior of one... Almost heavenly. Anyway thanks for talking about the El Camino. I think the 59, is the only El Comino I would want. Maybe the 60.

  • @michaelsimko7694
    @michaelsimko7694 Рік тому +1

    I remember seeing many last gen El Camino's when I was a kid in the 80s into the mid 90s.
    I'm still waiting for a video on the Chevy Avalanche.
    A Japanese sports car you should do a video on is the Nissan 240SX.

  • @petewitt2867
    @petewitt2867 Рік тому +1

    Does releases the Coupe Utility or “Ute” in Australia waaay before the Ranchero and El Camino. Ford and Holden (GM) Aust then continued sale of coupe utilities up until the 2010s.

  • @daveunknown01
    @daveunknown01 Рік тому +2

    The GMC Caballero Diablo was cool. Surprised it wasnt mentioned.

  • @upholdthesecond92
    @upholdthesecond92 Рік тому

    I had the 1979 model with the 350 v8. Loved it. I wish I never sold it 😢

  • @19chucki74
    @19chucki74 Рік тому +15

    Do a lot of El Camino enthusiasts like to see a return of this legendary utility? Yes. I do.😁🤔

  • @77gmcnut
    @77gmcnut 16 днів тому

    I saw a El Camino SS tonight on the way home and thought "too bad they quit making it"

  • @christophertaylor9100
    @christophertaylor9100 Рік тому

    Australia loves Utes, they're still making them there, and some of them look amazing

    • @johnd8892
      @johnd8892 Рік тому +2

      Unfortunately all Australian car production ceased in 2017.
      The Ford Ranger replacement for our proper car based utes are made in Thailand.
      Still amazed everyone by being the top selling car in Australia for the last four months. Toyota Hi Lux supply problems helping the Ford too.

    • @christophertaylor9100
      @christophertaylor9100 Рік тому +1

      @@johnd8892 That's too bad because they had some amazing models

  • @lorenzomagazzeni5425
    @lorenzomagazzeni5425 Рік тому

    In Australia they are still available... Great cars, bullet proof.

  • @Dstrbrdgrnd
    @Dstrbrdgrnd Рік тому

    In ‘79 I bought a ‘76 El Camino for $3500, I had it till ‘87, wish I still had it😢

  • @richsackett3423
    @richsackett3423 Рік тому +1

    Very cool how long they used Tom T. Hall to sell the El Camino.

  • @TheJaymon1962
    @TheJaymon1962 Рік тому +1

    They like Utes in Australia a lot

  • @rtyt2007
    @rtyt2007 Рік тому +1

    Do an episode on Australian cars like the ford falcon and the Holden commodore. Would be an interesting video for us Aussies seeing an American person’s take on Australian cars

  • @christopherkraft1327
    @christopherkraft1327 Рік тому

    Awesome video!!! 👍👍🙂

  • @james-flynn1938
    @james-flynn1938 Рік тому

    In Australia we call the utes they do exist in off road form now used to holden comodore and ford falcon based

  • @chrisbirkens8606
    @chrisbirkens8606 6 місяців тому

    Sitting in my 83 Conquista that i use as my daily driver watching this

  • @Zenny_6969
    @Zenny_6969 Рік тому

    ....I always wanted one....maybe someday....

  • @rager-69
    @rager-69 Рік тому +1

    I remember VW briefly had a pickup based on the Rabbit in the early 80s.

    • @engineer_alv
      @engineer_alv Рік тому

      yes, the Caddy. They still produce a compact based fwd pickup in South America called the Saveiro / Robust, though

  • @knytrydr73
    @knytrydr73 Рік тому

    Every Star Wars fan's ears perked up at 1:45 🤣🤣

  • @CassidyListon
    @CassidyListon Рік тому +1

    Was expecting Brad Pitt from the movie The Mexican to say "El Camino..." while behind the wheel, but oh well.

  • @RoadRunnergarage8570
    @RoadRunnergarage8570 Рік тому

    I also have an AMT 1/25 plastic model kit of a 60 Ranchero that I built as well ..

  • @MustangsTrainsMowers
    @MustangsTrainsMowers Рік тому +6

    Why hasn’t Ford and GM hauled their Aussie Ute tooling to the US. Their styling is interesting and I bet that they would sell if it wasn’t too expensive to make changes for US regulations. They even sold 4 door Utes.

    • @rtyt2007
      @rtyt2007 Рік тому

      If only they still existed 😞 amazing cars

  • @cpassehl
    @cpassehl Рік тому +1

    Following the Brat was the Baja, which is probably the most recent similar example.

  • @markwilliams2620
    @markwilliams2620 Рік тому

    SSR was custom built at the Lansing Craft Center. Now a gravel lot. The mass produced A body El Camino ghost still floats around Arlington Assembly. Only Wikipedia could try and make a connection.

  • @Benjames885
    @Benjames885 Рік тому

    You guys would have loved the Holden Ute!

  • @wesleyclark947
    @wesleyclark947 Рік тому +1

    Can you do a video on the Nissan sx cars?

  • @davidpetersen5570
    @davidpetersen5570 Рік тому +1

    Could you do a video on the Chrysler LH cars? I had an LHS, and I'd like to know more about its history.

  • @Low760
    @Low760 Рік тому

    The most famous one now is cleatus' MacFarland's one.
    However in Australia the ute started in 1934 as a sedan utility. Holden made a ute all years except 1985-1989.

  • @dogcowrph
    @dogcowrph Рік тому +4

    There is the Honda Ridgeline that is maybe as close to an El Camino as possible.

    • @richsackett3423
      @richsackett3423 Рік тому +1

      Avalanche

    • @syxepop
      @syxepop Рік тому

      @@richsackett3423 - Avalanche / Escalade ESV were LARGER (based on the BOF Tahoe / Escalade SUV's). Ridgeline is a Pilot-based midsize Ute.

  • @cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245

    El Camino
    Blazing down the road
    El Camino
    Ah, she's fast, never slow!!

  • @dustygrimes2754
    @dustygrimes2754 Рік тому

    Let's have an episode on the Mazda 929....pretty please.
    Thanks for this one, though. :)

  • @tobyb.3323
    @tobyb.3323 Рік тому

    Awesome as usual.
    Toyota Paseo!

  • @CJColvin
    @CJColvin Рік тому +2

    GMC's version of the Elcamino is the GMC Sprint and GMC Caballero. If Pontiac made they're own version of the Elcamino then it would be called the Pontiac Murock.

  • @corrupted1850
    @corrupted1850 Рік тому

    I have a 1980 el camino that has a 82 grill and the 3rd Gen tail light in the tailgate completely stock too rebuilding it rn

  • @daviderickson9445
    @daviderickson9445 Рік тому

    Getting the kegs to the party.

  • @mr.noodlerich
    @mr.noodlerich Рік тому +1

    you should make a monte carlo episode

  • @Thumper68
    @Thumper68 Рік тому +1

    The 350 was first available in the 67 Camaro.

  • @sengle928
    @sengle928 Рік тому +3

    Do a Monte Carlo episode.
    A training day scene is obligatory

  • @石立德-g3n
    @石立德-g3n Рік тому

    please do a video of the Buick Century.

  • @puresweetnessyo
    @puresweetnessyo Рік тому

    Where does the Subaru Baja fit into this?

  • @greatdaneacdc
    @greatdaneacdc Рік тому +1

    1:17 Ford got into Car pickups in 1934 …. They had been at it a while

  • @wetfeathers9971
    @wetfeathers9971 Рік тому

    Hey man this is a stretch, but could you do a video on the Chrysler Conquest?

  • @doug6191
    @doug6191 Рік тому +2

    Mazda 929 would be interesting!

    • @kirkericson2722
      @kirkericson2722 Рік тому

      Yes! I'm waiting for this episode and the Millenia.

  • @ncironhorse8367
    @ncironhorse8367 6 місяців тому

    We had an '85 El Camino

  • @someonecalledeulogio2280
    @someonecalledeulogio2280 Рік тому

    He didn't mentioned the chevrolet tornado/montana, based on thr chevrolet chevy, corsa, agile and celta

  • @michaelwisniewski2037
    @michaelwisniewski2037 7 місяців тому

    I have a 77 el camino. 350 and factory 4bbl. It's a bit of a jalopy but I enjoy driving it

  • @ambivalentonion2620
    @ambivalentonion2620 Рік тому +1

    4:31 it was law to build cars that took unleaded in 1971 in the usa?? i have an English car from 87 that still runs on leaded as it wasn't law yet

  • @CCS216
    @CCS216 Рік тому

    The Honda Ridgeline didn’t get a nod in this episode???

  • @tbone9405
    @tbone9405 Рік тому

    What about the Subaru Baja?

  • @fortheloveofnoise
    @fortheloveofnoise Рік тому

    Next you have to do the Ford Ranchero.

  • @retrocompaq5212
    @retrocompaq5212 Рік тому

    never knew that the dodge rampage was a vw caddy, since the omni is a mk1 vw...

  • @mattnordsell9760
    @mattnordsell9760 Рік тому

    Would the Subaru Baja be the successor to the Brat? I've never had a Baja, but I have always liked the way that they look.

  • @princessjezimine
    @princessjezimine Рік тому +1

    I wish CUVs would be more common in the US. I would love to see trucks that aren’t heavy on the road and are affordable and fun.