Chevy’s tentative jump into the “sedan/pickup” segment finally stuck with the return of the El Camino in 1964. First available in 1959 as a response to Ford’s Ranchero, it was based on the full-size B-body. After 1960 it was discontinued, while Ford shifted their Ranchero from full-size in 1959 to their new Falcon compact platform in 1960. Strong Ranchero sales in the US prompted Chevy to jump back on the bandwagon with the 1964 El Camino. For its first couple of years, Chevy marketed the El Camino as a light utility truck, and so did not make available any of the performance engines and packages found in Chevelles. Finally adding the 325 hp 396 ci big block option in 1966.