All El Camino lovers know that John Steinbecks novel 'Travels With Charley' is about Steinbeck's trip across America with his dog Charley in a 1960 El Camino - fitted out with a camper shell - but does anybody here have a picture of it? I vaguely remember seeing one once, but have been unable to find it anywhere- despite a diligent search on the web.

Any help from fellow members would be greatly appreciated - it is to settle a bet with an old pal who claims that Steinbeck actually made his cross country trek in a Ford Ranchero; which, as all of us Elky lovers know is impossible, since Steinbeck wouldn't have made it out of New England, let alone across the country to California & back in a Ford...

I think you're both wrong. I think it was a 3/4 ton pickup truck.

In the book, he describes his truck (named Rocinante) as:

"...a tough, fast, comfortable vehicle, mounting a camper top - a little house with a double bed, a four burner stove, a heater, refrigerator and lights operating on butane, a chemical toilet, closet space, storage space, windows screened against insects..."

I don't think all of this would fit into a 60 Elky bed.

I think you're both wrong. I think it was a 3/4 ton pickup truck.

Your probably correct...but I'll bet it was a CHEVY pickup, otherwise John Steinbeck would never had been able to complete the story...he would have been Found On Road Dead!

Ernie. I agree, it sounds like an awful lot to fit in the back of an Elky bed -but I could have sworn I saw a photo of Stenbeck and Charley standing in front of an El Camino! Hopefully, somone will have a photo and either prove me right or wrong.

sounds like alot to go in the back of a full size pick up too.
I remember having to ride in the back of a full size p/u and not having alot of space for 3 of us young boys. let alone room for a chem toilet!