© 1959-1987 El Camino/Sprint Shpwcase & Registry

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is my El Camino a Chevelle or not?
A: That depends on the year. The 1959 and 1960 El Caminos were, naturally, based on the full-size Chevrolet platform. The 1964 through 1977 El Camino is just one of many body styles offered by Chevrolet in the overall Chevelle/Malibu series. Often (and wrongly) relegated to a separate category, the El Camino (or sedan pickup as GM officially called the body style) was as much a Chevelle as any sport coupe, convertible, sedan, or station wagon. The Chevelle nameplate was dropped for the 1978 model year in favor of the Malibu nameplate but the El Camino (and its GM cousin the GMC Sprint) continued through the 1987 model year.

* The 1964 model year was the only year a "CHEVELLE" nameplate was used on the body of a sedan pickup.
* From 1965 through 1970 13680 series (sedan pickup) either had  a "MALIBU" nameplate on the body or "MALIBU" on the steering wheel unless it was a 1969 or 1970 SS-optioned sedan pickup.
* The 1971 and 1972 model years 13680 do not have any "Malibu" emblems.

So- logic would dictate any 13680 sedan pickup with a "MALIBU" emblem or nameplate would be a Chevelle.

Q: I have a late model year 1987 El Camino built in early July of 1987. Could this be a 1988 El Camino?
A: El Camino production ended in 1987. Some 1987 model year 1987 El Caminos (420) and GMC Caballeros (325) are listed as new car deliveries in calendar year 1988. Speculations in online forums suggest that VIN 3GCCW80H2HS915586 could be the last El Camino built. GM Media Archives/Heritage Center confirms that no 1988 El Caminos or Caballeros were represented in GM's production reports.