First Generation. 1959-1960

General Motors made its first "truck like" car in 1959. It was named the El Camino and described as "more than a car, more than a truck." It was the first truck to feature a steel-ribbed bed instead of the wooden slats that were common in pickup trucks up until the 60s. The car was first fashioned after the Impala in '59 and '60. For some unknown marketing reason, the El Camino line was dropped after 1960, not to return until 1964.

1959

In 1959 the El Camino was available with a 348 cubic inch motor with a tri-power carburetion setup producing 315 hp.