The second generation Chevrolet El Camino was launched in 1964 four year years after the first generation El Camino had stopped being manufactured entirely.
Second generation El Camino’s are identical to the contemporary Chevrolet Chevelle’s from the B post forward with the panels being updated every year from 1964 to 1967.
The 1966 model was advertised as the model that was ‘a down right pleasure to work with‘ while offering the ‘appearance, performance and comfort of a passenger car’, which was offered with a choice of 15 ‘magic mirror acrylic colours with prices starting at around US $2,500.
With 26 power train options from a range of two six cylinders and five V8’s going all the way up to a new 6.5 litre / 396 cui V8 capable of covering a quarter mile in the mid to low 14’s performance could be matched to the needs of the building site or farm all the way to the drag strip.
The example seen here at Shakespeare County Raceway is fitted with a 5.3 litre / 327 cui motor which in the 1965 El Camino was capable of a low 15 second quarter mile reaching 90 mph at the line.
The six foot pick up box was rated to carry up to 1000lbs loads on the all coil spring suspension. It is thought around 35,000 1966 El Camino’s were manufactured.
Thanks for joining me on this ‘A Down Right Pleasure To Work With’ edition of ‘Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres’ I hope you will join me tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a MG TF. Don’t forget to come back now !
