In response to the success of the Ford Ranchero, General Motors debuted the Chevy El Camino for the 1959 model year. The El Camino used the same architecture as the B-body Chevrolet station wagon, and the Safety-Girder X-Frame chassis. The El Camino could be had with a number of performance-oriented drivetrains, including the 283 cubic-inch Turbo-Fire V8 with two- or four-barrel carbs, a variety of Turbo-Thrust 348 cube W-head Big Block V8s with four-barrel or triple two-barrel carbs making 335 horsepower, and 250- and 290-horsepower 283 cubic-inch Ramjet fuel injection V8s.
A 1959 Chevy El Camino with a 315-horsepower 348, the Tri-Power carb set-up and a four-speed manual transmission tested by Hot Rod magazine managed to lay down a seven-second zero-to-60 mile per hour time, and blazed through the quarter mile in sixteen seconds on its way to a 130 mile per hour top speed. Pretty impressive stuff for the time.
The El Camino would only be in production for two years, ending after the 1960 production year. After a hiatus, the El Camino would return for the 1964 model year and remain in production through 1987.
The 1978 model year saw a completely revamped Chevy El Camino. It was leaner and shorter, but boasted a one-inch longer wheelbase than its predecessor. The new El Camino bodywork was based on the Chevy Malibu, with the rear bumper supplied by the Malibu wagon. Its chassis was all its own, sharing it with no other Chevy. Headlights were a single rectangular unit per side. The 200 cubic-inch V6 was the base engine, putting out a rather anemic 95 horsepower. Two V8s could be had, a 305 cube Small Block that made 145 horsepower, or the 350 that produced 170 horsepower. The V6 was available with either a three-speed manual or three-speed automatic, whereas the V8s had the option of the automatic or a four-speed manual.
One of the trim levels available on the all-new 1978 Chevy El Camino was the Super Sport package. It included a large front air dam, matching sport mirrors, black paint in the grille openings, a choice of six lower body paint accent colors, matching painted Rally wheels, steel-belted radial tires, the SS decal package, and an SS plaque on the dash.
Our feature 1978 Chevy El Camino Super Sport is finished in Midnight Black and Dark Carmine Red with Super Sport graphics over a red vinyl interior. It is powered by a 350 cubic-inch Small Block V8 backed by a Muncie M20 four-speed manual transmission and G80 Positraction rear differential. The El Camino is equipped with power steering, power brakes, bucket seats, a center console, tachometer and gauge package, a Delco AM-FM stereo, and air conditioning. The El Camino is in nearly new condition, having been driven just 16,752 miles from new. A copy of the build sheet is included in the sale.
This mint 1978 Chevy El Camino will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Harrisburg, Pennsylvania sale taking place July 27th through the 30th.
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Comments
Nice vehicle. As far as the Super Sport designation on the last gen Caminos(1978-87), GM never had one.
Yes, Choo Choo Customs and other outside companies might’ve called them that or something else.
Well, I asked to delete my previous post but it didn’t happen. There was an SS El Camino that year from Chevy.
1978 Chevy El Camino sales brochure with the twin to this one: http://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevrolet/elcamino/1978/0304.jpg
GM should build a new version on Camaro platform. I always wanted one but never worked into family dynamic with small kids. Maybe I should head to Harrisburg?
This right here would’ve been one of your ultimate new Chevrolets in 1978. This was the only year you could spec an LM1 350 with M20 4-speed in the downsized Elky and you could even get a detuned LM1 in California but no stick. Whoever bought this must’ve seen the writing on the wall and decided to preserve it because succeeding El Caminos didn’t get any better than this Z15. Even the Black over Carmine colors are well chosen.
This beauty stands a chance of setting a record price for 5th generation El Caminos. The lean and clean styling has actually aged pretty well – it’s almost lustworthy. These were the Fox Body of El Caminos!
My 78 SSCamino was identical to the one pictured above. It had a bench seat with the 350 4 barrel carb with a cheesy factory Saginaw 4 speed that I replaced with a old Muncie 220 a Hurst shifter. I paid $ 5100. at a Ford dealership in TX on the used lot in June of 78.It was by far the best looking ride I owned. How much did that one get on the block? I sold it to a friend. Never saw it again until just now when I saw this one at the top. thanks for memories!
I bought a 1986 with the anemic 305 and had that awful 200R4 for a transmission. The 308 gear didn’t help either. Was going to remedy all of that when my uncle borrowed it and totaled it. He did me a favor. GM needs to bring the El Camino back on the CT5 Cadillac platform and make it right.
Now that’s a beautiful well optioned car! A good friend of mine had a 1986 with the 4.3 liter FI V6, 4 speed 200 R-4, gauge pkg and buckets. It was quite peppy for what it was and would get high 20’s on the road for mpg. It had over 150K on the original drivetrain before he sold it and still ran good.
The only thing I don’t like about it is the aftermarket vinyl roof.
I had a blue over black one with bench seat 4 spd , I woke up this morning dreaming about it,it was getting rusty though ! That’s how I found this web site, weird !!!