Only about 4,500 Chevelles and El Caminos were built in 1970 with the LS6 454 V8 that produced nearly one horsepower per cubic inch. Maybe 10-12% of those were El Camino’s and the seller says this pickup has been documented as the only one known to exist with Fathom Blue paint and its combination of factory equipment. Located in Jackson, New Jersey, this Chevy has been treated to a frame-off restoration and is as good now as the day it left GM. It’s available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $295,000 (no, there’s not an extra “0” in there by accident). Time to break open the big-time piggy bank, folks!
The El Camino was born in 1959 as a “gentleman’s pickup”, based on the full-size series 2-door station wagon. After two years, Chevrolet put the El Camino on hiatus, only for it to return in 1964, this time based on the new mid-size Chevelle. That arrangement would continue through 1987 when Chevy’s mid-size entries would shift from rear-wheel to front-wheel drive. History on this beautiful 1970 El Camino Super Sport is limited to confirmation of its authenticity and the restoration that was recently completed as the vehicle has added just two miles since then.
To back up the seller’s claim, this pickup comes with its build sheet and a verification report from Dale McIntosh and Jerry MacNeish. Everything is matching numbers, especially the fire-breathing 454 V8 that was rated at 450 hp when new. This engine, an LS6, was as powerful as you could get in a Chevrolet-branded automobile in 1970, the last year before the detuning process would slowly begin. The motor is paired with a rebuilt M22 4-speed close-ratio manual transmission
The way this truck was built, with its Fathom Blue paint and stripe-delete option, is said to make it a one-only in terms of survivors. It’s been listed in the LS6 World Registry since 2009. We wish that the listing included photos of the vehicle before the restoration to help justify the serious asking price, i.e., the investment required to get it into this type of condition. To help cushion the cash flow part of the deal, the seller would consider a trade but doesn’t indicate what he’s looking for.
No rear topper on El Camino?
This will need to be added to assist new forced living space after purchasing.
GLWS and shes a beautiful truck!
Almost $ 300,000 for an El Camino !!!
Are you kidding me !!!
I’m speechless !!!
Clearly the seller wants the buyer to pay a good chunk of the restoration costs. Is it worth it though? I hate to remind people but anything is worth what someone is willing to pay. If there is nobody willing to pay $295,000 then it isn’t worth it. Conversely….
The same car in black sold at January’s Mecum auction in Kissimmee Fl. It sold for $286,000.00 plus 10% commission. It only had a partial build sheet not certified and not as fresh as this car. This might be a bargain..!!!
One sold this year at Mecum for just under 300k. Definitely not as nice as this car.
When people claim “1 of 1” status on any vehicle, and it’s simply due to a certain color/option combo, I call that splitting hairs. I also find it hard to believe NO OTHER `70 LS6 ElCamino came in fathom blue. Perhaps the seller means the ‘stripes delete’ option?
At any rate, a beautiful restoration that anyone can appreciate! The price?
A bit of a hinderance IMHO. I wish him luck; it will take a devoted Chevy fan with deeeeeeep pockets to nab this one.
It doesn’t have a “stripe delete”. Stripes were standard with cowl induction. The standard SS domed hood came without stripes unless you ordered them under RPO D88. It does have the desirable and hard to find dual snorkel air cleaner. I agree with you on the 1 of 1 claims. Chevy did not keep figures on engine vs. body style or color…..so even the proposed 10% El Camino production is a wild guess…..and likely wrong. Most of them were coupes. El Camino’s are extremely rare, and I am tracking them because I have one. They rarely are for sale.
So cool to see a vehicle that was built “Just because we can”. Totally useless as either a truck or a car, but damn, I wish I owned one.
what a deal!!! I’d sooner buy a few really nice cars for this kind of money. with an ‘alleged’ 2 miles on it, would you buy it and turn it into a daily driver?
An original unrestored LS6 sold at auction June 16, 2022 in central NE-$90250. 52000 actual miles. Runs and drives. Minor rust, needed paint. White, black vinyl top and tan interior. HHad the original smog equipment in place.
he should be committed for even thinking it would bring anywhere near that price 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
An original unrestored LS6 sold at auction June 16, 2022 in central NE-$90250. 52000 actual miles. Runs and drives. Minor rust, needed paint. White, black vinyl top and tan interior. Had the original smog equipment in place.
Missed it by 200 thousand. Nice car but really. Hagerty evaluation worth a look.
We all need a good laugh to start the day. Beautiful truck but even $95 is a stretch for an El Camino.
This proves one thing.
It costs way more to restore these cars than people realize!
(Ridiculous)
This guy is desperately trying to recover some of it.
I wish him luck but
It’s doubtful.
Saw one at Mecum that was in the same class as this car. Went for 286k that was with the commission.https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0122-487341/1970-chevrolet-el-camino-ls6/
Chevrolet did not keep records for color breakdowns or for how many of a particular RPO option was sold on a particular car for either a Camaro, Nova or Chevelles. So his claims are conjecture at best. And, yes, there are other Fathom Blue LS6 El Caminos.
I bought a 1970 el Camino California car body great shape big block 454 not an ss not original motor I bought to use, not show the shops been slow but no hurry but 15,000 to 6 figures seems like fun for my wallet
I sold my LS6 ,4speed,buckets,Black cherry,at BJ Scottsdale in 2018.
Sold for $114k ,at that time ,the record price for an Elco at any BJ event.Frame off and excellent with some documentation.I had it for about 15 years and was happy with the price,but given the rarity as opposed to coupes and verts ,don’t have a problem with this ask.Things are still a little crazy ,and this isnt even in the conversation of the most stupidly priced cars out there.
Time to call an expert to document this El Camino.
Um. He did. Jerry MacNeil and Dale Mcintosh
MacNeish. Damn spell check
Time to call Crazy Eddie for a price check.
Time to call Patrick Glenn Nichols……’70 Chevelle expert!!
While 1 of 1 status is cool, It’s not 300K cool. And at 300K, there’s nothing obvious about this truck would lead me to be it’s rare.
That’s a lot of money for an LS6 motor. Really? Isn’t that the reason for this price?
Give me an even rarer version, how about a 1970 SS396 L-78 for only a 1/3 of the price.
Rarety isn’t the only price driver. The desirability of the top dog LS6 engine will trump the twice as rare L78 every time. Everybody wants the biggest and most powerful motor. It’s always been that way and it always will be.
Currently doing a nut and bolt rotisserie resto on a numbers matching 4 speed cranberry red one. Will be selling when completed next year. Build sheet and Macneish certified
Nice.
Seller isn’t trying to get back some of what he, or someone spent- he’s trying to make a killing!
I keep saying to anyone who will listen. The days of 1500.00 dollar muscle cars are gone! gone! gone! Get over it, this is the new reality within this market. What you consider junk, is someone else’s new find for restoration and investment. Either accept it or stop whining about it and move on.
One of the factors driving value on this generation of vehicles is the look alike plastic over analyzed pieces of crap built today.
I have 2. 68 Camaro and 65 Elcamino. Both frame off. 327s. Absolute joy to work on, drive, and look at.
Wait a year, once our economy tanks you will see the crazy housing and vehicle prices correct, including collector cars imo.
Gary
From your lips to gods ears.
Let’s face it $295k for this car is totally asinine. He’s asking it because some bonehead with more money than Canada
Will pay it. I hope it does adjust because it’s stupid.
Gary, I appreciate your opinion regarding the muscle car market. However, regarding economics, you have the issue at hand totally incorrect. When you make a correction within the economy, you move from one extreme to another. In this case a move from inflationary costs to recession backed economy. People in general, with investments will hold those monetary values close, with no sale mindset. The very same holds for the housing industry and the stockmarket. As I have said numerous times before, this industry is no longer a hobby, it has turned into a major investment venue, and will continue to grow. People need to accept that point and invest wisely.
Don’t hold ur breath.
Good Grief……for THAT Price that Dash should be Correct!! It’s Not…..those 4 smaller Pods surrounding the Speedo came from the factory Black like the rest of the Dash did…that’s called “Over Restored” by someone who didn’t do proper research first. Every time I see this I think it ruins the whole looks of the inside. Do research people BEFORE doing anything…so easy to do something right the first time. Other than this mistake, it’s a beautiful example.
For that price, it should at least have a NOS exhaust system, a/c, cruise control, etc.
Unlike today’s “cars”, considering how many colors were available back then inside & out, & at least 50 separate distinct options, there should have been many many cars from all manufacturers with a rare combination of options – for example – even a loaded with options 1st gen camaro except tinted glass was possible.
Here’s a $295K car
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-shelby-gt500kr-6/?utm_source=dm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2022-06-28
It’s a beautiful El Camino but it is NOT $295 large beautiful
Patrick is not needed on Barn Finds….All the Deaks are here to tell everyone everything with a full helping of complaining on the side.