El Camino is an automotive cult classic. Sometimes called “Mullet on Wheels,” El Camino differs from . Inspired by the Ford Ranchero, it features a unibody structure, fusing a pickup bed into the body of a coupe. While it hasn’t been sold in America since 1987, it is loved by a significant number of automotive enthusiasts. With such a strong following and GM’s big push for electric vehicles, there’s speculation that Chevy will make an electric El Camino.
Is Chevy bringing the El Camino back as an electric vehicle?
During its production run, the Chevy El Camino was one of the most divisive vehicles. People just didn’t know what to do with it. As detailed by , it was like a “truck that mated with a Chevy Impala.” I remember watching El Camino as a kid and it often elicited giggles from my group of friends.
and it shows that there is a demand for unconventional pickup trucks. Also, unibody trucks, also known as “utes”, are very popular in Australia.
Now, with GM going electric with its lineup of vehicles, there’s a golden opportunity to make an El Camino electric vehicle. That includes resurrecting the massive GMC HUMMER as an electric vehicle. In addition, Chevrolet is planning electric versions of other iconic gas-powered models, including a sports car and the Silverado EV pickup.
Lingenfelter, El Camino electric concept car
Another thing that has fueled speculation of bringing back a version of the car’s cult classic is the reveal of an electric El Camino concept car in 2021. The El Camino EV concept, a collaboration between Chevrolet Performance and Lingenfelter, features a 1972 Chevrolet El Camino SS with an electric motor and a 66 kWh battery pack.
El Camino EV Concept highlights GM’s electrification strategy. It also features the automaker’s eCrate package, which allows people to convert a traditional gas-powered vehicle into an electric vehicle. According to , GM “revealed plans for a specialty electric vehicle modification program.” The program allows customers to connect with “qualified installers who can replace a vehicle’s traditional internal combustion engine with an all-electric propulsion system.”
Chevrolet hasn’t officially confirmed the return of the El Camino, but enthusiasts have been creating their own versions
There are many reasons for Chevrolet to bring back the El Camino. Speculation and interest continue to grow. However, Chevy has no official plans for his return. However, in the absence of a “modern El Camino,” aficionados have created their own versions. One example is from Casados Design in Alabama.
Based on a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, this custom vehicle, as seen in the Instagram post above, features extensive modifications. This includes removing the rear doors to extend the frame and mount the pickup bed. Plus, there are custom fender flares and a custom B-pillar inspired by a Chevy Avalanche.
It’s a strange looking vehicle, but Casados Design did a good job blending the Camaro’s body seamlessly with the pickup bed. Few could have imagined such a use for a Camaro, let alone one making an El Camino.
If Chevy produced an electric El Camino, the modern version would likely be controversial. The ute was divisive in its heyday. Also, typically, whenever an automaker brings back a beloved car, there are mixed opinions. Additionally, many traditionalists lament the shift to electric vehicles and the decline of gas-powered vehicles. For some, an electric El Camino would undoubtedly be “sacrilegious”.
