In the process of buying yet another used El Camino, I ponder on why GM killed the El Camino, exactly when they did. My first one was brand new, and my last two have been used, maybe too used. I can only hope that my, soon to be fourth and latest acquisition, measures up. I don't mind spending a few bucks on restoration, but as time goes by, the pickings get pretty slim.
Most new small pickups like the S-10 and Ranger, are "butt ugly", unless one is into "jelly bean styling" and I hardly consider the Chevy SSR as replacement for the Elky. Come to think of it, unless the styling remarkably looks different from most new GM offerings, with the possible exception of the new Monte Carlo, maybe it just doesn't matter.
Eric

GM designs a great car that people like, then ride the design ride until people are tired of it and sales go down. Then instead of tweaking the design, the kill it completely and start over. With the G-bodies, they did a tweak in 1981, but then rode it out until 1988. That's a long time to sell the same car over and over. Also, they market the new designs, not the stale ones. Sort of a double whammy.

The G-bodies got me into GM, but the FWD jellybeans they replaced them with do nothing for me.

I agree with your point that the compact pickup killed off the El Camino, and I lament the passing of the last (only?) vehicle that 'rode like a car, worked like a truck'--but they're regarded as a real throwback now, never see 'em again...

I'm surprised you find the pickin's slim--there's gobs for sale at www.collectorcartraderonline.com You may have to travel south or west to get a strong one but the law of large numbers says good ones are still out there. There's reasonable parts support-- wearing parts still consistently available and pretty cheap, at chain stores.

Good luck on the search--cast your net wide and haul home a trophy!

"I'm surprised you find the pickin's slim--there's gobs for sale at www.collectorcartraderonline.com You may have to travel south or west to get a strong one but the law of large numbers says good ones are still out there."
You are right about the numbers, eight pages of about ten listing per page. I might note that the prices on drivers rather than project cars are fairly substantial, many resembling their original purchase price and higher.
Luckily I live in the Southwest, and indeed I have hopefully nailed a deal on one that does not require too much work. One sees lots of them in the Las Vegas area, but either they are not for sale, are going for a lot of money or they are in pathetic condition.
It surprises me how many people have one, but mistreat it. I am guessing that the future price of a decent El Camino should make a good one a better than average collector car investment. I reconcile myself to the fact that some of those "diamonds in the rough" will make fine parts cars when they have finally been run into the ground.
My friend in Perth Australia alludes to the fact that GM is rumored to have plans on hold to export the Holden ute to the States, and as you may know it has typical GM rear wheel drive running gear, but they want to see how the new GTO sells first. This apparently offends some purists, but it might be better than dealing with the problems of maintaining an older vehicle, and they do look quite handsome.
ES

GM Killed the Ely because they no longer had a platform to use as a base. GM wasn't making any rear wheel drive cars any longer or were in the process of total phase out of rear wheel drive cars. Now that is a mystery in its self! Without that base they had nothing to use and besides that the Elky was not selling as it had in its past. Compact front wheel drive cars are cheaper to built and give a better return to the "Stock Holders". Its almost completely built overseas, so is FORD, Etc... The pieces are shipped here and final assembly takes place here. You no longer have to pay American Labor, the parts are made almost completely by people making less and $3.00 an hour. North America manufacturing is moving overseas and its not just the Elky that is disappearing. The American work force is turning into service oriented work force and its killing the US to do this too.

For the Elky I really doubt that it will ever come back and I'd be willing to say "not in our lifetime!" The big 3 don't really care what you like or dislike they care only about money that is the difference than when they were up and coming or want to be manufacturers. The owner wanted to "Build" something they had inspiration and a willingness to see what people liked and give it to them. GM use to have a contest whereby they accepted concept drawings for Fisher Body works, that is how we ended up with one design of the Corvette, a High School student came up with the Stingray concept and GM used it for two or more generations of the vette.

Now days they don't want to manufacturer stuff they want to make money and if that means selling something then fine they'll sell something but it will be as cheap as possible and bring as much cash income as possible with the highest profit margins. I hear people say the quality got better! Well maybe so but the quality of your life got worse so some compensation is required for taking your livelihood away albeit short lived.

The SSR is way overpriced. I would like to have one but I am not spending 45,000 on it along with an "Over The Top" amount of $25,000.00 to be piled on top just because I want it. So all said and told the SSR is priced at $70,000.00 now my friends that is greed and we learned that from Daimler Chrysler. Europeans came bough the smallest of the big "3" and decided European pricing is better. So we'll price the cars to where they look low and let the dealer make a killing, as incentive to sell more. It just doesn't work that way in the world of greed dealers took advantage. It is killing Daimler Chrysler and Daimler is or was looking to sell off Dodge/Chrysler division because profits are now low and sales have fell sharply.

I work for Boeing, we are the largest exporter of US goods in America. Boeing is sending all of its piece part assembly over to Taiwan and Asia. All the "Black Boxes" are going to be designed and made by people who, in some cases don't even have a HS diploma. All the control systems and back up systems all manufactured by these workers getting less than $3.00 and hour. Harry Stonsipher killed McDonald Douglas doing just exactly this, and they went down the tubes!

Greed and unethical, unrealistic vision of their own pockets getting fatter is the whole goal now days so if we don't like what is being manufactured then too bad its what is available and if you don't like it that is fine don't buy it. That is what the employees were told at Boeing. If the situation is disturbing to you then don't fly and get a job someplace else we no longer need the US workforce to make money! - Your Skills are no longer needed. 30,000 or more no longer have jobs - at Boeing - because of that attitude.

So my friend if America goes into the toilet and you don't like it then tough, there are people getting rich selling it off a little at a time and that is "economics". That is the economics of the El Camino, like and dislike have nothig to do with it.

Elky Pete:

You "hit he nail on the head"

Thanks for putting it to words we all can understand.

Elky77

It just happens that I was one of those guys who entered the Fisher Body contest and even won a design prize for my model built from a block of wood, after many hours of labor. I think it taught me that if you really have defined ideas about what you like in vehicles, you may be resistant to having a car company tell you what you can and cannot have.
It would be difficult not to lament the loss of manufacturing jobs in this country, but I believe we will come to terms with that issue, and I don't want to get into the politics of that on this board. Consumer preferences should be dictated by car buyers and not manufacturers. I think we often have a "tail wagging the dog" situation, where the Big Three figure they can offer what works best for them and car buyers can take it or leave it.
The SSR could be built in a cheaper version with a fixed top and a conventional cargo area. Of course that would be less profitable per unit, but might sell well enough to make for a success. It would not quite be what I would want in a El Camino type of vehicle, but it might be worth a look.
Eric

After having made the assertion that 5th Generations were available 'by the gob', I went to classic car etc and found there's a BIG difference between price and availability for 78-80 versus 81-up, with the earlier ones more plentiful and cheaper. I understand the supply-more made to begin with; but 79 was I think the last year for a stock 350, and I would think they'd be worth more...

It could be said that profit, or desire for profit, kills all model lines. GM is a for-profit corporation. It does not try to lose money, it does not try to just break even.

From an engineering perspective, one could keep the same model year after year, and continue to fix reliability and performance flaws. However automobiles do not appeal to everyone just for their functionality, performance, and reliability. (As for myself, if a car is excellent in those three categories and has a reasonable price, I would buy it).

Styling is a large factor in autos. Many people have bought El Caminos because they felt the look was appealing. Unfortunately for El Camino fans, a large part of styling is "change for change's sake". Just like trends in clothes that have nothing to do with the functionality or quality of the clothes, there are such trends in cars. Think round headlights to square headlights and now round again, as an example of a trend that is looks-only. A model that survives around 30 years (such as the El Camino) is viewed as wildly successful in the big picture, but after a while it is viewed as getting long in the tooth, and time for it to go. See also Camaro/Firebird, Caprice, Delta 88, etc., etc.

side note:
A lot of people on this group bash Front Wheel Drive. Maybe because it is harder for the home mechanic to tinker with. It is allegedly less durable than RWD, and thus police and taxi drivers prefer the latter. And if you are racing a lot, you probably like RWD.

I personally like FWD. For a large portion of the USA market who have to deal with inclement winters (snow, ice), having the engine over the drive wheels (and thus FWD for a front engine car) is a tremendous improvement in traction when accelerating. For 95% of the population who do not abuse their cars to the extent of police and taxis, FWD is "durable enough". It may be less expensive, if so that is another benefit for consumers. Remember in the early 80's when GM was losing huge market share to the FWD Japanese cars? Well it had to adapt or die. Yes GM did eliminate their RWD sedans and coupes, but for those reasons I don't think that was a total disaster of a decision.

Although it may be blasphemy in this group, I would hypothetically buy a FWD El Camino if they made one off the modern (2004) Monte Carlo or Impala, maybe with the 3800 V-6. Plenty of power for my tastes.

"A lot of people on this group bash Front Wheel Drive. Maybe because it is harder for the home mechanic to tinker with. It is allegedly less durable than RWD, and thus police and taxi drivers prefer the latter. And if you are racing a lot, you probably like RWD. "
It might interest you to know that Australians prefer rear wheel drive and continue to built sedans in that configuration. The very latest Ford Falcon has the American Mustang V-8 as an option. I like my El Camino V-8 rear wheel drive but readily admit I can't afford to drive it every day.
Maybe some of the older guys, like myself, just enjoy the old, familiar feeling of taking off, with that reassuring power.
It occurred to me that if I was to post a picture of my daily driver, a white Toyota Camry, it would get all the 'ooos' and 'ahs' as if I posted a picture of my refrigerator. Styling does matter, and the El Camino has a distinctive look that has endured. Have you noticed that when you see an old Chevelle in the rear view mirror, there is a 90% chance that it is an El Camino. That is quite remarkable considering the small percentage of Chevelles (technically speaking) were El Caminos to begin with.
A Monte Carlo based El Camino might win my support, in desperation; aesthetically it would do the job if designed properly. The very existance of the El Camino owners association out to be an indication of the enduring interest in these vehicles. I want a new one, and I want one with rear wheel drive.
Eric

GM stopped making the El Camino becasue they didn't have a platform and the anticipated sales didn't warrant creating a unique platform just for a single model. All of us on this forum are enthusiasts, but 99% of the car buying public view a car (light truck or van) as an appliance. There has to be a more universal desire among the car buying public before the auto manufacturers respond. It doesn't look good for a new rear wheel platform with body on frame construction, but you never know. The general opinion in 1975 was that the convertible was dead and would never be seen again; well we know that wasn't true. Some auto people are seeing a renewed desire for the traditional station wagon returning. Can a new platform for a 21st century El Camino be in the near future?
As for the politics of job outsourcing overseas; it is very troubling. Obviously if all the manufacuring in the US that can be successfully outsourced is outsourced then the consumer base in the US will be destroyed. People without jobs or poor paying jobs are not able to make the purchases that keep our economy strong. The next decade or two will produce substantial changes in our society just as the Industrial Revolution did. Let us pray that wise men in government and industry make good decisions.

that no platform to build on is reason. Subaru built the Brat and Dodge built the Ram???page I think it was called. Any way both were front wheel drive unit construction with no frame and on an existing platform. The Brat sold very well and has a lots of Brat lovers today. In fact Subaru is making a Baha now that is simular. It is 4 door with a pickup bed unit construction FWD, built on existing platform. It isn't sell too good right here.

"Although it may be blasphemy in this group, I would hypothetically buy a FWD El Camino if they made one off the modern (2004) Monte Carlo or Impala, maybe with the 3800 V-6. Plenty of power for my tastes."
Blasphemy might get you stoned elsewhere, but it is probably acceptable behavior here. ;-)
It is amazing what GM can do when it wants to. Few would expect them to create a unique platform for the few thousand or possibly hundred thousand of us who would purchase a new El Camino. The Aussie (GM) Holden Ute could be assembled here with left hand drive and we would have essentially a new El Camino with no need to retool beyond minor changes. That is what continues to intrigue me. It would have the normal upgraded safety and emissions items that may have helped kill the last El Camino, and could be produced at a cost that would not be prohibitive.
More elaborate ideas, like a modified Monte Carlo or Impala, would be fine, but probably less cost effective.
For some reason, I have the impression that GM just does not get it, as far as understanding the void left behind, when they discontinued the El Camino. I considered purchasing a Chevrolet Colorado pickup, and looked at some late model S 10's, and even some other similar vehicles. I kept coming away with the reaction that something was missing, especially in the personal appeal of these vehicles. It was another exercise in shopping for a refrigerator, no passion, no aesthetic appeal, just another pickup for people looking for a light duty commuter or occasional hauling vehicle.
For now, I will place my faith in my "new" 1983 base model El Camino, expected to arrive here from California next week, and trust that its 78 year old previous owner can accept life without his 'baby'of many years. Longer term, we should have better solutions to keep the dream, and the vehicle, alive.
Eric

This also plays into profit being a factor, but another item to consider is the "El Camino" name itself. GM has shown willingness to resurrect model names (Impala, Monte Carlo, and now GTO) in the past, but would they do it for the El Camino? Right now I would say no. Any big company like GM would run focus groups about things like this, and maybe the El Camino name left a bad taste in most people's mouths after 1988 (and no changes for 10 model years like Pete said). Familiarity breeds contempt! The GTO had a short run and left people wanting more. The El Camino had a long run and people stopped buying. Maybe this is why Chevy currently sells a RWD body-on-frame car/truck hybrid and calls it the "SSR".

Another point about the name - a far, far greater portion of people living in the USA now natively speak Spanish than did 17 years ago. GM wants to sell cars to these people as well as native English speakers. Calling a car "The Road" or "The Way" might not be as appealling in your native tongue.

I willing to bet any amount of money that if GM ever introduces a El Camino type vehicle that they will name it "El Camino". The name El Camino is not disparaging in Spanish, I've asked several Mexican-Americans and they don't see any problem with the name. This was not the case with the Chevy Nova--in Mexican nova means "no go".

If GM wants to be smart enough to make the El Camino again, just take the Blazer or TrailBlazer platform and add a cool body. It could be 2WD or 4WD.

Plus they both can come with V-8's and real wheel drive. I know us car guys could find a way to soup them up!

Elky77

Not the same thing. The El Camino was always based on a car platform, never a truck. If the El Camino were based on a truck platform it would be just another fancy truck like the SSR. There is a big difference between a truck and a car chassis. It just wouldn't work.

"There is a big difference between a truck and a car chassis."
The El Camino (and Ford Ranchero) uniquely meet the Australian definition of a "ute" or utility, a pickup type vehicle based on a car, with the bed integrated with the cab. this type of vehicle has been made in many variations there and remains popular today. Ford, GM and Chrysler all built utes for the Australian market producing some remarkable and unique models, based on American designed cars, and not sold here in the US.
The riding comfort of an El Camino is noticeably better than small pickups and getting in and out is easier than climbing into most mid-size trucks. The styling is often more aesthetic both in the interior and exterior lines. It just looks a little more civilized for a car person who occasionally wants to do some light hauling. When the El Camino was first introduced, it was based on highly popular new Chevrolet cars, and of course it shared many of the same styling features. It was far more interesting than the pickup trucks of that era, although several atttempts were made to produce trucks, like the Chevy Cameo pickup, that had more car like appearences. They just couldn't match the unique El Camino styling.
Eric

GM's answer to the category of peole who like El Caminos is the SSR. Granted, it's overly priced and stubby, it's still a car-based sports truck. Like it or not, the bulk of today's automotive consumers are "soccer mom's". For this reason alone, you see so many freakin' SUVs on the roads. Everyone seems to have jumped on the band wagon with the whole SUV thing. Now, we have SUVs that have truck beds (i.e. Envoy XUV, Chevy Avalanche, etc.) I'm afraid this will be an on-going trend. The problem is the market for sports cars and sporty-type vehicles has become deminishing for new car sales.

Your average sporty-type vehicle buyer is going to be a young, 16-25 year old (or his/her parent) who can't afford to buy a new vehicle. So, with this in mind, more and more young adults are buying used vehicles and not new one's. I know there are a select few young-at-heart people who love the sporty-type vehicles. But, let's face it, the average middle-age on up person is married with children and either can't afford a sports car or has more family members than can fit in a 2-4 passenger vehicle.

Also, with all of the enviroment-friendly laws, a RWD V8 would be politically incorrect and could cause an automotive firm to hear a lot of heat from the numerous enviromental groups out there.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see a price-friendly, newly designed El Camino. But, with all of the factors that may be, I don't see it happening. It's up to us, the avid El Camino enthusiests, to write to our big three automotive corporations and petition for an affordable El Camino-style vehicle. In fact, we should make it a competition and challenge them to see who could cre8 the best looking, high-performance, car-based truck and see what would come of it.

The SSR sits on a modified Yukon type chassis. Its all truck! The El Camino sat on a modified Car chassis and was mostly car.

I like the SSR but its a truck always was and always will be. When I was a teenager I could only afford a used car my self. It was a 54 Chevrolet Bel-Air 2 door coup. $75.00. I wanted a sporty type car but I was a kid and had a kid's income. There is some differences I think I made about a $1.05 and hour at best job now days the kids must be paid minimum wage which is what 6.00 an hour? They can afford more now then I could.

Most I see kids running around in little Cavilers and Neons. But the strangest thing that has taken place since I was a kid is the fact that now a "4 door" sedan is considered a Sport Car. I think that was thanks to the "Fast and ......." movies.

"I know there are a select few young-at-heart people who love the sporty-type vehicles. But, let's face it, the average middle-age on up person . and either can't afford a sports car or has more family members than can fit in a 2-4 passenger vehicle. A RWD V8 would be politically incorrect ."
My first El Camino, purchased brand new, was a 1977 model, with an inline six and three speed column shift and was EPA rated at 18 MPG city and 25 MPG highway. That compares quite favorably with current ratings for SUV's and pickups.
Today, I see many older guys proudly driving their El Caminos, and many of them are perhaps beyond the age of having kids to haul and many times the El is a second car anyway. I don't think that group is really interested in high performance engines, they recognize the style and utility of the car. Obviously younger guys have their interest in El Caminos also, but what they see is apparently different. Whether they would purchase a similar vehicle with more modest performance numbers and a smaller appetite for fuel is a good question.
Automotive articles discussing the New Pontiac GTO and Chevy SSR both mention the potential appeal of these vehicles to both younger and older buyers. The El Camino could share the same dual interest. Some older drivers have more discretionary income to purchase specialty vehicles. All things considered, I do not think the matter of a new El Camino is dead or without merit. Probably even some of the pessimists among us would purchase one, if they could.
Eric

I posted to this thread early on, and I've read all the following posts with great interest. I believe there's enough El Caminos out there to keep the enthusiast community in rides for the forseeable future. I bought a strong 79 Conquista with no rust for $3400 last fall after a 2 week search. After a new paint job, a crate motor and an overdrive tranny, I'll have about 10 grand in it. I couldn't touch a decent new pickup for twice that, and my back would scream at the ride.

By rebuilding/restoring Elkys, we're arriving at rides we can't touch at today's prices, giving lots of work to resto shops, and building the repro parts market, which will benefit ALL owners. I've been to Oz and seen the utes--they're very nice, but why pay twice the money for a vehicle I can't maintain and which is subject to smog testing? I'll keep my old tin, thanks.

What year was El Camino assembly transferred to Mexico?
Beyond that, I have spent a fortune locating my latest El, which should arrive here in Las Vegas, this week. What I hopefully save on restoration costs, is lost on purchase price, and the inconvenience of maintaining and insuring an older vehicle. There is simply nothing on the American market to take its place, and that is silly considering all the new offerings, few of which would appeal to an El Camino buff.
I stopped to look at a new Pontiac GTO yesterday, and it looks like a worthy replacement for the Camaro, complete with "made in USA" running gear. Now if they would just import the Holden ute....
Eric

If GM is so concerned about profits, then somebody please explain the rationale behind the mega-ugly Pontiac Aztec. Who gots paid for designing that?!

I agreee with the earlier post, If the RWD GTO makes a hit then maybe GM will start looking at Holden UTE a little more. The Holden UTE is pretty much good to go save the emissions and steering on the wrong side. They have an LS1 option which is always a good thing. They also would already have an established platform to go off of. Minor restyling (and I mean minor cuz Holden has always been the closest GM division to CHevy) and they could bring it to market.

I seriously considered and SSR based on its drivetrain and looks but its price is out of my reach. I think from the practical side the SSR is kind of a mistake. A niche product which while cool will never be the sales leader that the PT cruiser was for Chrysler based on the price factor alone. That an the utility of it is kind of limited, I mean have you looked at how short that bed is? I thought the bed of my 74 was pretty much useless but the SSR is an exercise in futility. IF GM wanted to have a more practical styling exercise they should have brought the UTE over. And since its on an existing platform you know it wouldn't have been 45K base price. You're paying for all that R and D with the SSR.

If you consider the bed on the SSR as insufficient you are missing the whole point of the vehicle. It was never meant to be a sucessor to the El Camino, it is the culmination of the modern stylelized truck in which a bed is not supposed to be used for hauling.

I would like to see the Holden version of the Camino make it here. To make a FWD Camino would be wrong. I like the new GTO. I drove one and it was alot more than I expected. That 350 6 speed was just what we are crying for here. Lets see them do that to tha Camino...Make it an SS and it will be a hit! As far the kids today and the 4 door cars...Who know I was expaining that to one of the other groups I was in about when I was a ten if you showed up on the crusie in a 4 door car you got laughed off the street and was usually told to take the grocery getter home!

Back in the 50s and 60s when I was growing up a four door hot rod was a joke. Even convertibles and 2 door sedans didn't get much respect--everyone wanted two door hardtops. How times have changed; I was talking to a young Rice Rocketeer the other day and asked him why there are so many 4-door Sushi Cars and he told me that a lot of guys prefer them and the insurance is cheaper.

If you consider the bed on the SSR as insufficient you are missing the whole point of the vehicle. It was never meant to be a sucessor to the El Camino, it is the culmination of the modern stylelized truck in which a bed is not supposed to be used for hauling.

Then it's not a truck is it, It's a stiff suspensioned car with an open trunk.

I know the SSR wasn't meant to be a successor to the El Camino. What I am saying is that GM has missed its market .... again... It's a niche vehicle that nobody who really wants one can afford or justify.

GM is so in to building practicality with its minivans, trucks and assorted others that it seems strange to build a truck with no utility whatsover. Kind of flies in the face of their whole bean counter management style. This would be the same one that killed the Camaro and Firebird by the way and don't even start on me with the Corvette, I know I will never be able to own one, its not the same...

Anyway, If its a truck then fine be a truck, if its a sports car, be that but this thing has no purpose other than to wring 45K out of you for the privelege of owning a concept car.

What I am saying is that they should have brought the UTE over and reintroduced it as an ELCO. It would have been far cheaper to produce since the tooling and mfg are already there and would be cheaper for consumer's to buy. It would also probably move more units just based on the utility/practicality of it alone. Of course that would be competing with the S10 replacement the "Colorado" which still looks like an S10 to me. So I guess that's out too.

C'est la vie..

Guy's I think in my lifetime GM will bring the elco back. Look at the big 3 bringing back some retro's. GM GTO, Ford restyled Retro Mustang,T-bird, Ford 49 is on drawing board have seen pic's Look's retro to me. I saw on speed chanel a couple of wk's ago a exec from chrysler talking about bringing back the dodge charger but wouldn't go into detail. Oh, and the Chevy Nomad.

I think in less than 5 yrs GM will bring back the elco. Just my thoughts.

Brian

I think a lot of what drove the popularity of the Ford Ranchero and Chevy El Camino was the more pleasant amenities of a car combined with the hauling capabilities of a truck. In the 50s and 60s trucks were just beginning to be civilized, now of course the styling, comfort and creature comforts of trucks can rival those of a luxury car. The other appeal of Rancheros and El Caminos was the performance and sportiness; sport trucks today can accelerate and handle to a level just slightly below those of sportscars. I just don't think there is much of a market anymore for El Caminos. I doubt that any manufacturer will take a chance on a new El Camino type vehicle. Our best hope is that GM will invest the money it takes to import a Holden UTE.

There are alot of hybrid cars like the el camino around the world, but I think Chevrolet couldn't market a 2door car/truck today in North America. With all the success of SUVs and large trucks. In the USA we're going through that "bigger is better" era like the 70's. IMO, they made the SSR to try to appeal to a very broad consumer, (a hotrod/hybrid/convertible) and added a $40k.

In Mexico, Chevrolet sucessfully sells the 100HP 1.8L Tornado, I saw four of them near the tijuana border alone.

http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/lowelcam/myhomepage/tornado2.jpg
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/lowelcam/myhomepage/tornado.jpg

"In Mexico, Chevrolet sucessfully sells the 100HP 1.8L Tornado, I saw four of them near the tijuana border alone. "

Very interesting. It is not quite an El Camino but with gas at $2.20 a gallon, I would sure give one of those a look.
Eric

I just don't think there is much of a market anymore for El Caminos. I doubt that any manufacturer will take a chance on a new El Camino type vehicle. Our best hope is that GM will invest the money it takes to import a Holden UTE.
Based on the number of El Caminos I see on the street daily in Las Vegas, I suspect that there would be a market for them here. Of course, we do not have the rust problem here, so many more have survived. The big pickup craze may end soon if gas prices remain high. I really hope so because it is so silly. The Fifth generation Elky is such a nice size, it will actually fit in an ordinary garage, and is ever so much more comfortable than a small pickup. A six cylinder Holden ute would really be a great compromise, very practical and vastly more economical that the beasts that are selling so well, and are likely to be the next automotive dinosaurs, when the reality of long term high gas prices sets in.
My 1977 Elky six was EPA rated at 18 MPH city/25 highway and that may soon be music to the ears of folks getting far lower mileage. I notice that older guys really baby their old Elky's, and they may represent part of the market for a new model. Presently they have nothing to replace their El Camino/Ranchero's with, and they don't appear to want the new regular pickups.
From talking to the local Pontiac dealer, the new GTO, which is very close to a Holden ute, is selling well and hard to keep in stock. Maybe this will give GM the needed boost to consider reintroducing a RWD El Camino here based on the Holden ute.
Eric

In OZ, Holden dropped the ute for many years. When they finally "reinvented it, it was and is, a best seller. People got sick of the "***" 4 pot tinnys that rode rough, and drove worse.
And Holden use the 3.8 U.S. V6, and also option a supercharger! Mucho Mumbo!
wbesite: http://www.holden.com.au

GM should biuld the new elky based of the wrx platform using the holden ute body. if not that at least give it a ls1 and enough room for twin turbos.

That little Tornado is awfully cute; never even knew they existed. Take that design, make it longer (esp. the hood), lower the roof line a bit, V8 rear wheel drive; now that's a new Elky I would buy!

That little Tornado is awfully cute; never even knew they existed.
You can check it out more here;

chevrolet tornado (http://www.chevrolet.com.mx/content_data/LAAM/MX/es/GMMGM/showroom/chevrolet/modelos/tornado/diseno.html)
It even has it's own video and website :P
They are quite small, when I saw them in Tijuana, I could compare them with a Corolla-esque front. The top-of-the-line sport model costs less than $12K US dollars.

Thanks for headsup on the website. The more I see the more I like it. GM should be encouraged to import it if possible. This is just the kind of vehicle that comes out of left field and gets a huge following; its a mini retro El Camino and if Chrysler can make a hit out of that stupid looking PT Cruiser, anything is possible.