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Frequently Asked Questions & Dispelling Myths

1959-1960 and 1964-1987 El Camino/GMC Sprint

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[Q]: I often see the terms 'make,' 'model,' 'series,' etc. What do they mean?

[A]: Depending on the overall content of the specific discussion and who you ask these terms can be defined in one of two ways:
(1) The term 'make' is generally accepted to mean the vehicle manufacturer such as Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, etc.
(2) When referring to Chevrolet's in general, the term 'make' is also used to distinguish between the various Chevrolet divisions such as Chevelle, Camaro, Chevy II/Nova, and Corvette.

When 'model' is used under term #1 it often is used to describe the same information as 'make,' such as a Chevrolet ('make') Chevelle ('model').  When used under term #2, 'model' is often used to describe the various body styles such as sport coupe, sedan, convertible, sedan pickup, etc. such as a Chevelle ('make') convertible ('model').

A 'series' is a specific trim level within a particular sub-division. Using the Chevelle as an example, various series (or trim levels) were produced over the years such as Chevelle 300, Chevelle 300 Deluxe, Malibu, SS396, etc.

On this website the 'make' will always refer to Chevelle, 'model' will always refer to the body particular body style such as the El Camino (or sedan pickup as GM calls it), and 'series' will refer to the trim level such as Chevelle ('make') Malibu ('series') sedan pickup ('model').


[Q]: Did all SS Chevelles come with bucket seats?

[A]: First a clarifying note. The terms 'SS Chevelles' and 'Chevelle SS' are shortcuts for those not truly informed about Chevelles or too lazy to be specific. There are Malibu SS series, SS396 series, and SS optioned Chevelles; there is no official term of 'SS Chevelle' or 'Chevelle SS.'

Now to the question, yes and no. The Malibu SS series of 1964 and 1965 came standard with bucket seats and, aside from a few bucket seat trim codes for 1964 and 1965 El Caminos, there was no specific option to order bucket seats. Beginning with the 1966 model year bucket seats were an option under RPO A51. This option was available in any SS396 series and any Malibu series sport coupe, convertible, or El Camino as well as 1970 through 1972 Monte Carlos.

There were no SS optioned El Caminos up through 1967. One could order any 396 engine in 1966 and 1967 El Caminos but they were not part of the SS396 series; 1968 was the first and only year the El Camino with a 396 engine had its own series, 13880. From 1969 through 1972 the SS options were available in the Malibu series, 13680, El Camino.


[Q]: Did all SS Chevelles come with tachometer and gauges?

[A]: See above for clarification on 'SS Chevelle.'

The 1964 and 1965 Malibu SS did come standard with gauges instead of warning lamps. Those gauges included the fuel level, oil pressure, water temperature, and ammeter. A Tachometer was optional under RPO U16 and in both 1964 and 1965 one could order the tachometer under RPO code U16 but could not order the gauges as the gauges were not an option.

Beginning with the 1966 model year all SS396 and any V8 Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or sedan pickup came with a fuel level gauge and warning lamps for the other three. Gauges (described as Special Instrumentation or Instrument Panel Gauges depending on the year) were always optional. In 1966 the gauge option (RPO U14) could even be ordered with the L6 engine in the Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or sedan pickup but did not offer a tachometer.

The 1966 and 1967 model years were unique in that one could order RPO U14 and get both the gauges and tachometer in one package, again only with the SS396 or V8 Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or sedan pickup. The tachometer could be ordered without the gauge package under RPO U16 and could be ordered in any V8 series or body style.

Beginning with the 1968 model year the tachometer only option, RPO U16, was dropped and only RPO U14 was available as an option. With these following exceptions RPO U14 was limited to the SS396 and Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or sedan pickup in 1968 and SS optioned Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or sedan pickups from 1969 through 1972.
Exceptions:
 (1) 1969 model year the 300 Deluxe coupe and 300 Deluxe sport coupe when optioned with the SS Equipment option RPO Z25
 (2) 1970 model year Monte Carlo
 (3) 1971 and 1972 model years Monte Carlo and any V8 coupe, convertible, or Malibu series sedan pickup.

The 1970 through 1972 SS optioned Malibu and all Monte Carlos came standard with a round pod dash with the RPO U14 Special Instrumentation being optional. The 1970 through 1972 non-SS optioned Malibu dash was more linear and is often called a "sweep" dash. However, when a 1970 through 1972 non-SS optioned Malibu was ordered with RPO U14 Special Instrumentation, they received the same round pod dash with gauges and appropriate RPM range tachometer as the SS optioned Malibu.


[Q]: What is a "Custom El Camino?"

[A] A "Custom El Camino" was Chevrolet's marketing term for the Malibu series sedan pickup to distinguish the Malibu series (135/13680) from the 300 or 300 Deluxe series (131/132/133/13480). There is nothing really "custom" or extra special about the "Custom El Camino" and none have any badging or script saying "Custom."


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