Mike Levine over at PickupTruck.com has made an argument for the return of the El Camino, the car-based pickup sold back in the day that has risen to cult status in the modern era. Considering the cost of fuel these days and fuel economy standards that are likely to rise in the next decade, a car-based pickup could offer a viable solution for people who need the utility of an open bed but not the dismal fuel economy that accompanies a traditional pickup.

A resurrected El Camino would likely be built on the rear-wheel drive Zeta platform developed by GM's Holden division in Australia where such vehicles already exist and are quite popular. The Holden Utes come in two- and four-door versions and are available with V6 and V8 engines, including a Super Sport version with a 350-horsepower V8. A Zeta-based El Camino could easily be built alongside the new Camaro in Oshawa, Ontario, and styling would likely mirror the new pony car's lines to earn some instant street cred by association. The commissioned rendering by Mark Stehrenberger shows what a new El Camino with the corporate Chevy face could look like.

Follow the Read link to catch Mike Levine's case for the El Camino in full, and let us know what you think in the comments.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]