
Still based on the Chevrolet Malibu, the final generation of the El Camino is one of the smaller models but features the sharpest lines and most modern design cues. The fifth generation of the El Camino is the final generation that ran for nearly a decade starting in 1978 and running until 1987. All the same engine options from the third generation carried over into the fourth generation here along with the same transmissions except for the two speed Powerglide which was now replaced with a 3-speed turbo hydramatic automatic. The front end received singular headlights, a more pronounced front bumper, and more subtle styling throughout including a more sloped rear end. At this time this was the largest El Camino General Motors had ever produced and was based on the Chevrolet Malibu. The fourth generation started in 1973 and ran until 1977. The design and massive engines available in the El Camino during this generation, including the 454 cubic inch V8, made this generation of the El Camino the one to have. As most enthusiasts know, the third generation of the Chevelle is one of the most desirable in the world, especially the 19 model years. This is arguably the most popular generation of the Chevrolet El Camino thanks to its primary basis on the third generation of Chevelle. The third generation of the El Camino came around in 1968 and ran until 1972. Like the first generation, the new El Camino still had the pickup truck rear end and the muscle car front fascia however this generation was one of the more subtle stylings and is not so common to be seen today. The second generation started in 1964 and ran through 1967 this was primarily based on the Chevrolet Chevelle platform and carried a lot of the same front-end features. By the end of the first generation in 1960, Chevrolet had sold just over 36,000 El Camino's making it a hit but the sales started to die off towards the end of the year in 1960. This made hot rodding enthusiasts absolutely love the El Camino for its utility and huge powerful drive train.
1980 EL CAMINO PARTS MANUAL
The top of the line 348 cubic inch V8 was rated at 315 horsepower and was matted to a four-speed manual transmission. The El Camino had three different engine variants, a 235 cubic inch inline 6, but 283 cubic inch V8, and a 348 cubic inch V8. The El Camino only had a single trim level and only came in a 2-door coupe body style. This meant that it utilized all of the same space that came in the station wagon but had an open-top rear end.

The 1959 El Camino was based on the Brookwood 2 door station wagon platform. Designed to compete with the Ford Ranchero, this interesting vehicle segment came to be when General Motors and Ford both realized the American market loved the muscle car but didn't want to sacrifice the utility of a pickup truck. The El Camino was first produced back in 1959.
