Chevy El Camino could return for 2011
Mike Levine at PickupTruck.com is speculating that there's a good chance the El Camino name will be revived in the near future. The prospects just seem too good considering that Holden, GM's Australian division, is set to soon export the Zeta rear-wheel-drive platform to the U.S. for use in the Chevy Camaro and Pontiac G8. More vehicles are likely, and the El Camino could be among them. Bob Lutz himself has reportedly talked up the business case for an El Camino comeback, and the timing could be right for an Australian Ute to finally make the long trip from Oz to American shores. PickupTruck.com has a few renderings showing what the El Camino could look like, which isn't hard to guess considering that the new VE Commodore-based Utes are set to debut in Australia in about a month. From the A-pillars forward it would look much like the sedan on which it's based, but all body panels aft of that point will be unique to the Ute. The Australian version will have an engine lineup of V6 and V8 engines, and we suspect that concerns over fuel economy would also necessitate a V6 option for the U.S. market. That's fine, as the General's current crop of V6 engines are smooth and powerful. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper El Camino without the availability of a V8, and we know GM has a few of those lying around.
What do you think? Would there be any takers for a new El Camino in the U.S.? We think the answer is obvious, as this truck wouldn't be an SSR redux. Click on the read link to view three renderings of what a 2011 Chevy El Camino might look like and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
[Source: PickupTruck.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Jeff 7:34PM (3/31/2008)
It looks like they did not get enough SSR out of their system. That silly vehicle did nothing for GM except a lot of wasted money and engineering. This one should be left for when they have nothing better to do for Sons or Daughters of executives. Too bad GM cannot focus on the needs of customers now, a high MPG gasoline/E85 powered sedan. And no not a hybrid mid size 2 ton or bigger vehicle. When will they get their priorities straight!
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PETE 3:28PM (12/11/2008)
fri. 0916 If this elcamino is made i will sell my 86elcamino that is all dolled up with org,cap. to buy the 2011.
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Dennis Grimes 9:35AM (10/23/2009)
I know this is an old thread, but has GM ever considered this now that Pontiac is going away? I am in my mid 50's and feel there are a lot of us from the 60's & 70's would love to see this brought back and sold as they have done with Camero, as Ford has done with the Mustang & Dodge Challenger.
There are still a lot of old and new gear heads left which want to relive their youth
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JC3 12:39PM (7/06/2007)
I think they should bring back the El Camino.but not like the illustration.Because of its dwarfish proportions and too many competing design elements(very busy).El Camino needs to have nice proportions and the transition from the roofline to the cargo bed needs to make a more elegant sweeping transition.
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rroger59 10:57AM (7/09/2009)
Man,I think it looks great,bring it back,hurry.
M Bell 12:44PM (7/06/2007)
Sweet Jeebus that thing is tacky. I can only hope that Chevy has better sense than that, although they did build the Monte Carlo, so I suppose they don't. Perhaps, if they build it, they should just cover it with NASCAR stickers at the factory and save their future owners the trouble? And while they're at it, why not have a mullet pre-installed on the headrest?
Does Chevy really want to build a car that makes anyone outside of their NASCAR "fan base" point and laugh? Yes? Oh. Then it's perfect.
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beaker 1:01PM (7/06/2007)
I agree, this looks stupid. But, knowing GM's track record, they'll figure out a way to make it look even uglier. Their only hope is that Bob Lutz treats it like his pet project (like he did with the Solstice).
IF, and I mean IF, it turns out well, I'd take one. I've always admired the Holdens and even looked into how much it would cost to bring an HSV to the States and have it modified for our laws (back when the US$ was stronger).
Aetius 12:45PM (7/06/2007)
I'd take this over the Camaro and almost any other car on the market. It's so different. GM BUILD IT!!!
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glitched 12:46PM (7/06/2007)
Debut it in one of the transformers movie sequels?
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Snark 12:49PM (7/06/2007)
Bring it, but not as a SS; bring it with a V6 and pitch it as a fuel-efficient pickup alternative with some sporty attributes. I think it could work.
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Pedro 1:28PM (7/06/2007)
I think that a runabout, like the old Subaru Brat would make a fantastic El Camino replacement. Cheap and fuel efficient.
I just don't think there is a market for a modern day direct el camino descendant. How about a pickup based on the Solstice..... :D
bob 12:54PM (7/06/2007)
Wow. They should have put old english letters on the rear window and filled the bed with broken lawnmowers.
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shiznannigan 7:27AM (7/07/2007)
Olde English lettering and lawnmowers?
You can't even get your stereotypes right.
Gas prices where they are, sell it with the fuel-efficiency angle. Hell, toss a hybrid system in it. This would be great for couriers who haul fairly lightweight bulky stuff (auto parts suppliers, etc). You know, the ones who used to buy S-10s and Rangers.
BILL 1:08PM (7/06/2007)
Well hell, why not bring back Dina Shore? She was popular and spent a lot of time seeing the USA in a Chevrolet. The GM marketing department must be made up of people even older than I am, and I was alive when the original El Camino came out. On the other hand, considering the fact we are awash with Hispanics both legal and illegal, maybe GM needs to use Spanish names for all of their products. The Corvette could be named somthing like EL Fasto Rocketo Rollo.
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Chris 1:26PM (7/06/2007)
You sonofabitch. I had to cover my mouth because I was laughing so loud in the office.
BILL 1:48PM (7/06/2007)
Chris, many thanks for your comment. It makes me feel like a real comedian, which I am not. I did ask my boss one time how funny I would have to be to make the same money I was making as a customer service person for a graphics company.
Jon 12:59PM (7/06/2007)
Get that baby over here, I would really look forward to Falcon Ute vs. El Camino. If one comes, the other surely will.
We all know that if either were brought to the U.S. they would immediately be put in the Craftsman Truck Series. Not saying there's anything wrong with that. Just because a car has a place in NASCAR doesn't mean that only NASCAR fans will buy it. The Fusion is doing well to say the least, and none of the trucks are having any trouble selling.
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Chris 1:01PM (7/06/2007)
I think, as good as the renderings are (quality-wise), this is a mistake. It's oddball, full of strange shapes. Way too busy. And that grille is lame. They'd probably do something closer to the Impala/Malibu, with two big openings. And I don't see much difference from the SSR. Same concept. The name isn't going to help, at least in the long run. People will buy it just for the hip factor and then it will die, like the New Beetle, the Prowler, the SSR, etc...
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Christopher Watts 1:03PM (7/06/2007)
If SCION can build that lil turd of a 'truck' they plan to, then why not bring an El Camino back too! I'm not a fan of either car..ur...'truck', although my first joy-ride was in a 1981 EC. That was fun, but not worth doing a 2nd time. God I was stupid and now I'm old! So I guess my long answer is ...yes, maybe not bring it!(?)
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TheSwener 1:11PM (7/06/2007)
The big three have gone retro with everything else and had great success - this one would be a home run! Why it has taken them this long to reintroduce an open-bed wagon I will never understand.
I agree that the shape in the rendering is disgusting - looks cheap and dated. However the concept is good.
Actually, the best design I can think of for a new El Camino-style vehicle would be to chop the back off a Dodge Magnum. Its a great looking vehicle to start with, with lots of aggressive retro cues, and the platform is all ready to go. Just lose the rear seats, chop the back roof, drop in some new sheetmetal and you've got a winner!
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