Classic/Antique Car Repair: Jog my memory, ford ranchero, chevy el camino

Question
During the 1960s there was a pickup truck that was made to look like car. That is, it was built much lower to the ground than an typical pickup, but had only two doors and a pickup bed. Do you know what it was called and who made it?

Thanks, Jo

Answer
Ford Ranchero and Chevy El Camino  were the two popular brands of these.  They started in 1957 (Ford) and 1959 (Chevy), and continued well into the 80s.  They were basically made on car chassis, with the front end of a car, but the rear body of a pickup. They were used for very light duty hauling - not as real trucks.  In Australia, they make a vehicle called  "UTE" which is on the same idea, but over there, almost all brands of cars have one in their lineup of models.

In the US there were some of these going way back into the 30s - Studebaker for one had them from 1937 on; they called them "Coupe Express" models.  Beautifully styled vehicles, by the way, and highly collectible today.

Dick