Today, the pickup truck is an iconic element of American pop culture, often likened to the modern-day counterpart of the cowboy’s trusty horse. Initially designed for utilitarian purposes, these vehicles found a new life in the post-war era as ideal canvases for customization and hot-rodding. Today, like many American-born trends, they enjoy a devoted global following.
In 1911, General Motors streamlined its truck production and introduced the ‘GMC’ brand name, later adding Chevrolet during World War I. Responding to the popularity of Ford’s Ranchero, which featured an integrated body/chassis design, Chevrolet introduced the El Camino pickup (or coupé utility vehicle) in 1959. Uniquely, the El Camino was adapted from the Biscayne two-door station wagon platform. The car featured here is a fourth-generation model, based on the Chevelle station wagon, produced from 1973 to 1977. It’s equipped with a 250ci (4.1-liter) six-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission.
Source: Bonhams
