Caravan El Camino: pickup rejected by GM could become Hot Wheels

Brazil will be represented in the continental stage of Hot Wheels Legends by a pickup derived from the Chevrolet Caravan. Named Caravan El Camino, the truck was the winner of the Brazilian competition in the global contest that every year awards the best project and develops a miniature from it.

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The pickup follows the style of the North American pickup that was in line for almost 30 years in the United States. It was built from the station wagon, with the right to reproduce the inclined B-pillar, from the Sauro Garage workshop, in Santa Catarina. This is a characteristic element in the design of El Camino, which has always adopted a front style based on in-line models such as the Impala, Chevelle and Malibu.

The Caravan El Camino underwent a modification process that consisted of removing the roof, windows and trunk lid. The car received a new rear windshield and rear cab plate. A new finish was also made to the bucket and floor.

The car draws attention for the quality of the finish. Painted in orange, the Sauro Garage team was careful to level the line of the bucket, removing the curves of the windows, but with an adhesive, which refers to the original curve. Completing the look are the Cooper Cobra tires mounted on Magnum 500 wheels. Under the hood of the Caravan El Camino there is the classic 250 six-cylinder engine of the Opala and Caravan, but the 4400 emblem indicates that the block has undergone an increase in volumetric displacement, which is common among preparers.

Now, the pickup will move on to the regional stage of Hot Wheels Legends, where it will face other competitors from Latin America. If it advances, Caravan El Camino will compete in the grand final in El Segundo, California, scheduled for October 3.

As usual, the winning project will be transformed into a 1/64 miniature and marketed by Mattel.

GM gave up its El Camino in Brazil

In the 1970s, General Motors developed a prototype of a pickup truck derived from the Chevrolet Opala. The model would be an option to position itself below the D10, but ended up being shelved. The story came to light a few months ago in the book that celebrates the centenary of GM’s operations in Brazil.

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