Fifth-Gen Camaro Pickup / El Camino Build Complete: Exclusive
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Back in April, GM Authority covered a custom fifth-gen Chevy Camaro set to receive a full pickup / ute conversion from Casados Design in Birmingham, Alabama. When we left off, the Camaro was coming together nicely, with a new rear bed section that gave the muscle car some distinct El Camino vibes. Now, GM Authority has an exclusive update on this “El Camaro” build.
In an recent interview with GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft, Casados Design boss Adrian Casados outlined some of the details of the El Camaro build, as well as the shop itself.
Casados Design specializes in one-off high-end coachwork and custom metal shaping, exclusively serving customers looking for top-shelf builds. Think a quarter million dollars and above. In addition to body work, the shop also works on engines and drivetrains, with interior work being the only facet left out of the Casados Design wheelhouse.
This particular Chevy Camaro build is based on a fifth-gen model from the 2010 model year. The customer approached Casados looking for a tough, muscle-car aesthetic, but with a Holden-esque ute body in back. The customer also insisted on creating something GM might build today, rather than settle for something that “looked” like a custom build.
Although Casados suggested that the customer go with something else for the platform, such as a Dodge Charger, the customer insisted that the build be based on the Chevy Camaro, while also stating that the wheelbase should remain unaltered. As such, turning the coupe into a ute would result in significant rear overhang, challenging Casados to make the final product look cohesive.
To that end, the build incorporates traditional metal-shaping techniques using an English wheel. As it just so happens, Casados previously apprenticed for Aston Martin, and incorporated the same techniques in creating the new El Camaro.
The starter car was an SS model with the LS3 V8 engine and manual transmission. The fuel tank was left in the factory position, while the bed is a relatively short 4-feet by 5-feet. The trunk and backseat of the Chevy Camaro were tied into the new bed substructure. The bed itself extends past the original crash bumper by about 18 inches.
The tailgate is also completely functional. Casados sourced components from the 2007 and 2008 Chevy Silverado, including the handle, latch assembly, and hinges.
The quarter panels were all built by hand using an English wheel without a buck, extending out 8 feet and keeping the shape of the factory originals (albeit extended).
Now, the El Camaro is set for painting, slated to receive a shade of factory silver, while riding on the factory wheels. We can’t wait to see it when it’s all done.
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The cost of a project at GM would be very expensive.
You think coupe sales are low try a 2 seat truck.
As a former owner of a GMC Sprint SP I can say that I loved my car and wish they were around but the realities of the market are here. There are just not enough sales to justify the car and to so so few the cost would be as much as a full size crew.
Good idea. Bad execution. Our of proportion.
They could have squared it up at least
They should have imported the ute from Australia when Holden was still around
Change the grille more car/trucking with off road lights. Stretch wb to 115.0. Offer 4cyl, efi and v6 efi. Vinyl base model, cloth mid-range, leather premium models, all wheel is the only trans. With 1.5in lift, bed incorporated to interior for 5 inch length. 4 cyl comes with a 5/6 manual trans,
Bedbox electric with battery upgrade on v6. Should be a 30k up.
🤮
No thank you!
The 1971 El Camino was better looking.
But sill not as good as the 1970, subjective I know.
My friend built a nice car-truck conversion starting with a 2007 Charger. Much better proportion than this Camaro build. It looks factory. Too bad that I don’t have a way to post a picture here.
I wanted to make a show board for him that says: This was originally a design concept car put together at the Chrysler Engineering Center in Rochester Hills, MI. It instantly wow’d Chrysler management. Lee Iacoca was brought in from retirement to get his impressions. He said: “We HAVE to build this”! Production was scheduled, but unfortunately the economy collapsed in 2008 and Chrysler had to cancel all new product plans. This car-truck concept was then put on display in the Walter P. Chrysler museum – also in Rochester Hills. When the museum was closed by Fiat, it came into possession by Jay Leno. Jay drove it for a while, but ended up selling the car to my friend for a ridiculous amount of money.
(note the above narrative is all FAKE NEWS – but the vehicle my friend built really exists! It has appeared in at least one kit car magazine)
One man’s stupid idea is another man’s fortune! I can’t blame Casados whatsoever, they tried to talk him out of butchering a nice Camaro, but alas, what can you do, a fool and his money are soon parted. I have an idea, how about importing a real ute from down under or better yet find an el Camino and restore it to better than new, just a thought!
Note to Mary Barra – “If you build it, they will come.”
as the owner of a ’67 and ’86 El Camino no thanks….now maybe a Malibu based one as the Caminos from ’64 to ’87 were based on the Chevelle/Malibu platforms. If Pontiac had not been killed I was all set to buy the G8 Sport Truck. Oh well.
YES build it I need something to through farm stuff in when I go to town for supplies.. Yes count me in Forget about the HATTERS.. they don’t haul stuff beside their dumb butts…
Oh wow….a Holden, but uglier.
That thing is beyond hideous! It looks like something a redneck family built! I’m certain I hear Johnny Cash singing about this design school dropout.
Wasted effort–exercise should have raised the roof a couple of inches for better visibility and let Camaro fans see what this car could have been—already has great engine and chassis—-come on customizers someone attack the visibility problem.
If Chevrolet was smart the return of a RWD platform that Impala and El Camino could share with 4 trim levels – Base, Luxury LT, Sport SS, ZL-E
The Impala would have been a better choice the lines the length are all there.
I’m not at all opposed to an El Camino based vehicle but this is a disaster. I understand that the customer made the request and the design team tried to oblige him but it simply doesn’t work asthetically. It looks cheap and amateurish at best and no color choice will change that. It just looks like a box attempting to be grafted to the back end of a car. I would be embarrassed to advertise my business using this as an example of my work and definitely wouldn’t drive it at all for fear of ridicule. Even an SSR would be a far better alternative as it would have similar performance and a convertible to boot but alas, even the SSR had a polarizing effect.
Sometimes you just have to say no to customers. I get that money is very important for some folks and mouths need feeding but my reputation is much more important than any amount of money someone insists on paying for my services. At this point the ex – Aston Martin employee ( la dee da ) better show me what he can really do if he plans to ask me to trust a 5 or 6 figure project to his team. I’m sure he’s very good at what he does, but this isn’t doing him any favors.
Chevy re introduced the El Camino in 64 and through the G body El Camino sold a bazillion of them. Why would not a new re introduction now sell well? Wether it’s based on a Camaro or any other chassis, who cares.
I believe it is much overdue for a modern elcamino… However I believe that their is something just a Little off with this design.
In my opinion; I believe that the flaw is in the rear axle position.
If rear axle or the wheel base of the rear axle was back just a Little farther than you would have a top seller for sure… From the rear axle to back of bed is fine but from the rear axle to the door openings is too tight… If this area was more balanced like the elcamino’s of the past then you would have a best seller for sure…
As of this picture it looks as such a bed stuck inside of a trunk.. More stretch is needed to be a true American elcamino… But that would sell big as is now oversees… But that’s one man’s opinion…. I’ve always loved. The elcamino and I’m hoping to see a rear wheel drive production model. At the dealership s soon… With any of the Ls powered options you so choose. I would buy that THAT’S for damn sure… Can’t wait…
Go back and research; 1. The 1970.
2. The 1980.
And. Finally the 1987.
Find the balance between the car and the truck…
Low and lean will sale…
This pic has more car than truck…
Stretch the frame and move. Rear axles back.
It looks more like a add on instead of a car that flows into a truck..
One more trick suggestion..
Incorporating that lower solid chrome taillight bar between the tailgate and the rear defusser with the modern three round lights on each like the custom big rigs of today would really put some truck into it
You do realize this is on a stock chassis and stretching the wheelbase would require massive structural engineering to the build.
Big rig? do you want huge big rig mud flaps also? 😄😆🤣
WTF??
Sorry, but that was a waste of a nice Camaro. The original El Caminos were works of art. That is a square box tacked onto a Camaro.
Don’t waste any more time building this ugly thing. This is far from an ElCamino. Leave the Camaro alone. These must be out of work GM designers, thus the out of work part.