The title of Chuck Stocklin’s 1983 Chevrolet El Camino refers to it as a truck, while the vehicle’s manual makes reference to it being a car.
Jim Krumel | For The Lima News
LIMA – Is the El Camino a car or a truck?
That question has been argued ever since Chevrolet introduced the El Camino in 1959-60, and then again from 1964 to 1987.
It’s been called a “coupe utility vehicle,” a “car-truck hybrid,” a “sedan pickup” and “a pickup-style passenger car.”
Chuck Stocklin, 45, of St. Marys has owned six El Caminos. He definitely says it’s a truck … no, wait a minute, he definitely says it’s a car.
“The title calls it a truck, but I’ve always likened it to a car,” Stocklin said, opting to take the middle ground in the great debate.
It’s easy to see why.
The El Camino was built on a car chassis, giving it better handling and a smoother ride than a traditional truck. On the other hand, its large bed makes it more practical than a car.
“They are strong and sturdy like a truck, but comfortable like a car,” Stocklin said. “There’s also no need to call friends to borrow their truck every time you need to haul something.”
Stocklin currently has a 1983 El Camino with 94,800 miles. He’s owned it for a year and a half.
“I’ve put quite a bit of work into it. I’ve used some parts off of one of the others I still had. It’s running good now.
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