El Camino is Spanish for the road or the path and offered car-like features but truck-like abilities. The Chevrolet El Camino (and GMC Caballero cousin) was designed to compete directly with its rival, the Ford Ranchero, for 2 years in 1959 and 1960. Production then later resumed in 1964–1977 model years based on the Chevelle then in 1978–1987 based on the Malibu.