Chevrolet El Camino Fifth generation

1978 to 1987
Overview
Production	1977 to 1987
Class	Commercial vehicle
Assembly	Baltimore, United States Doraville, United States Leeds, Missouri, United States Arlington, United States Fremont, United States Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Ramos Arizpe, Mexico Tehran, Iran (CKD, Pars Khodro)
Body and chassis
Platform	A-body (1978-1981) G-body (1982-1987)
Related	GMC Caballero Chevrolet Malibu
Powertrain
Engine	3.3 L (200 cu in) Chevrolet V6 3.8 L (229 cu in) Chevrolet V6 3.8 L (231 cu in) Buick V6 4.3 L (262 cu in) Chevrolet V6 4.4 L (267 cu in) Small-Block V8 5.0 L (305 cu in) Small-Block V8 5.7 L (350 cu in) Small-Block V8 5.7 L (350 cu in) Diesel V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic auto.
Dimensions
Wheelbase	117 in (2,972 cm)
Tracks:	58.50 in, 148 cm front, 57.80 in, 147 cm rear
Width:	71.90 in, 183 cm
Height:	55.40 in, 141 cm

The 1978 through 1987 El Caminos were produced in four trim levels: Classic, Black Knight (1978)/Royal Knight (1979–83), Conquista and Super Sport, and shared chassis components with the Chevrolet Malibu. Chevrolet 90° V6 and Buick V6 engines were used for the first time. The optional 305 cubic-inch small block V8 was rated at 150 or 165 horsepower (123 kW), and from 1982–1984, the Oldsmobile-sourced Diesel engine was also optional.

1978 Chevrolet El Camino Fifth generation "Royal Knight"

A new, trimmer El Camino was unveiled in 1978, adopting the new, more sharp-edged Malibu styling, and a one-inch longer wheelbase of 117 in (2,972 mm). The front end sheet metal was shared with the Malibu, the doors with the Monte Carlo, and the rear tailgate and bumper was shared with the Malibu station wagon. For the first time, though, the El Camino had a unique chassis - it was shared with no other Chevrolet. The front end featured a new single rectangular headlight design. The base engine was a 200-cubic-inch (3.3-liter) V6 that developed 95 horsepower (71 kW), except in California where, to meet emissions standards, the 231-cubic-inch Buick engine was the base engine . Two upgrades could be ordered: a 305-cubic-inch V8 with 145 horsepower (108 kW), or a 350-cubic-inch V8 with 170 horsepower (130 kW) that was only available in El Caminos and Malibu station wagons. It was not available on Malibu passenger cars. Among GM makes, at least, the era of bigness was fading into history, overtaken by a new age of efficiency and economy.

1979 Chevrolet El Camino Fifth generation SS

The 1979 model got minimal changes following its debut as a redesigned "new-size" model in 1978. Alterations to the 1979 El Camino amounting to little more than a new divided grille. However, a "small-block" 267-cubic-inch (4.4-liter) V8 joined the options list and slotted between the standard 3.3-liter V6 and the optional 5.0-liter four-barrel V8. The 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V8, developing 170 horsepower (130 kW) was again available. Both three- and four-speed manual transmissions had floor shifters.

1980 Chevrolet El Camino Fifth generation

The 1980 El Camino started out the 1980s with few changes, though engine choices were shuffled a little. The base V6 displaced 229 cubic inches, up from 200 the year before. Horsepower increased from 94 to 115. Optional again were a 267-cubic-inch V8 with 125 horsepower (93 kW) and a 305 V8, now with 155 horsepower (down five). The 350 with 170 horsepower (130 kW) offered in 1979 was dropped. A three speed floor shifted manual transmission was standard, but most got the optional three-speed automatic.

1981 Chevrolet El Camino Fifth generation

The 1981 models received a new horizontal tube grill. The 1981 engines mostly continued from 1980, but now used GM's Computer Command Control (CCC) emission system. The base 229-cubic-inch V6 made 110 horsepower (down from 115), as did the California-only 231-cubic-inch Buick V6. Optional engines were the 267-cubic-inch V8 with 115 horsepower (86 kW) and The 305-cubic-inch V8, now with 150 horsepower (110 kW). The three-speed automatic added a lock-up torque converter to aid highway mileage.

The 1982 (through the final 1987) El Camino sported a frontal appearance with a crosshatch grille flanked by quad rectangular headlights. New under the hood for 1982 was a 105-horsepower 5.7-liter (350-cubic-inch) Diesel V8, which was also offered in Chevy's full-size cars. Though mileage with the diesel was commendable, it was an expensive option and would eventually amass a dismal repair record. Gasoline-engine choices were unchanged, except Chevy's 229-cubic-inch (3.8-liter) V6 was now standard in California-bound cars, replacing Buick's 231-cubic-inch V6.

1983 Chevrolet El Camino Fifth generation

In 1983, the 4.4-liter V8 was gone, leaving the 5.0-liter version as the only optional gas V8. The standard engine was again Chevy's 3.8-liter V6 with 110 horsepower (82 kW), though California cars, once again, got a Buick V6 with similar specifications. Continuing on the options list was the 5.7-liter V8 Diesel with 105 hp (78 kW). The sister Malibu sedan and wagon were discontinued after the 1983 model year.

The 1984-87 El Camino SS was offered as a conversion (completed by Choo-Choo Customs Inc., of Chattanooga, Tennessee) to include the aerodynamic front end similar to the Monte Carlo SS, but did not receive the L69 engine package. For 1985, GM shifted El Camino production to Mexico, and the new 4.3 L was standard through 1987.

• PERFORMANCE: (262 cu in, 4,294 cc) 130hp
  max power (SAE net): 130 hp (97 kW) at 3,600 rpm
  max torque (SAE net): 210 1b ft, 29 kg m (284 Nm) at 2,000 rpm
  max engine rpm: 4,100; 30.3 hp/l (22.3 kW/l)
  max speed: 105 mph, 170 km/h
  fuel consumption: 21.5 m/imp gal, 18 m/US gal, 13.1 1x 100 km.
• PERFORMANCE: (305 cu in, 4,999 cc) 150 hp
  max speed: 109 mph. 175 km/h
  max power (SAE net): 150 hp (1 10 kW) at 4,000 rpm
  max torque (SAE net): 240 1b ft, 33.1 kg m (324 Nm) at 2,000 rpm
  max engine rpm: 4,50
• PERFORMANCE:(305 cu in, 4,999 cc) 180 hp
  max speed: 112 mph, 180 km/h
  max power (SAE net): 180 hp (132 kW) at 4,800 rpm
  max torque (SAE net): 225 1b ft, 31.1 kg m (304 Nm) at 3,200 rpm
  max engine rpm: 5,300 36 hp/l (26.5 kW/l)

Final 1987 Chevrolet El Camino Fifth generation rear View

OPTIONS: Turbo-Hydramatic 200 R-4 automatic transmission, hydraulic torque converter and planetary gears with 4 ratios (1st 2.740, 2nd 1.570, 3rd 1, 4th 0.670, rev 2.070),2.560 or 1.710 axle ratio; 3.080 or 2.060 axle ratio heavy-duty cooling; limited slip differential; heavy-duty battery; 500 A battery,630 A battery; heavy-duty front and rear suspension; air-conditioning,automatic air-conditioning; heated rear window; electric windows; electric sunroof; removable glass roof panels; separate front seats; electric door locks.

Concept vehicles

In 1991, GM unveiled an El Camino concept, which was basically a pickup variant of the Chevrolet Lumina Z34. The concept received mixed, mostly negative reviews, most of it because of the car's front wheel drive layout.

During the 1995 model year, GM had a concept El Camino based on the full-size Caprice station wagon using the grille of a 1994-96 Impala SS; this concept was destined for production, but was terminated due to GM's profitable SUV sales.

The Pontiac G8 ST was shown at the New York International Auto Show in March 2008. Based on the Holden Ute, it was built on the same G8 platform with a 73-inch (1,900 mm) cargo bed. The Sport Truck had the same 361 hp (269 kW), 6.0-liter V8 used in the G8 GT, as well as the 3.6-liter, 300 hp (220 kW) direct-injection V6. The G8 ST, slated for release as a 2010 model, was to be GM's first coupe utility in North America since the El Camino was discontinued in 1987. In January 2009, GM announced to dealers the G8 ST was cancelled due to budget cuts and restructuring. GM was speculated, in 2011, to be considering bringing back the El Camino under the Chevrolet brand as early as 2015.