One of the attractions of classics like this 1969 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396 is that they are typically lighter than the Sedans upon which they are based. Therefore, they offer greater performance potential, although with less weight over the back wheels, applying the power to the road can require a light touch on loose or slippery surfaces. This El Camino spent years in hibernation, but the seller has revived it and returned the SS to a roadworthy state. The restoration to recapture its former glory will be long and involved, but the interest it has generated suggests that people are willing to give it a red-hot go. The seller has listed the El Camino here on eBay in Carlsbad, California. Bidding sits below the reserve at $5,100 as the auction heads into its final days.
As with the previous version, Chevrolet based the Third Generation El Camino range on the then-current Chevelle. That meant that the front sheetmetal had a familiar look, and many of the options offered on the Chevelle found their way onto the El Camino. The first owner ordered this 1969 example in LeMans Blue, with the seller stating that it remains largely unmolested. The vehicle found its way from Michigan to California in 2022 after spending decades in storage. The seller is candid about its needs, with the tired original paint the least of the buyer’s problems. It has rust, and it is quite extensive. It has impacted many of the lower extremities, including the fenders, quarter panels, doors, and rockers. Delving below the surface, it appears the new owner faces floor pan repairs or replacement, with the seller also confirming the presence of frame rot. The extent of the frame issues is unclear, although they do confirm that this beauty is roadworthy and is driven regularly. Therefore, this might be one of those cases where the winning bidder can enjoy the SS during the upcoming warm months, tackling its restoration as a fulfilling winter project. One interesting factory option selected by the first owner is the headlamp washer system. It is unclear how many El Camino buyers ticked that box on the Order Form, but it only found its way onto 562 vehicles across the entire Chevelle range in 1969.
Chevrolet offered 1969 El Camino buyers a wide selection of engines to power their new purchase, and since this is an SS 396 variant, there are no prizes for guessing what this classic featured under the hood when it left the factory. However, there was something that set this vehicle apart from the average SS. Although it doesn’t rate a mention in the company’s Sales Brochure for that model year, buyers could select the L78 version of the big-block, placing 375hp and 415 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. The first owner teamed the 396 with a three-speed automatic transmission, a 3.73 rear end, a four-core radiator, and power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. The bad news for potential buyers is that this El Camino is no longer numbers-matching. The seller cleaned the Pad during the revival, confirming that the engine bay houses a CE Warranty Replacement L34 V8 with power and torque figures of 350hp and 415 ft/lbs. That is disappointing news, but this SS should still light up the tires fairly easily. After decades of inactivity, the seller spent a pretty penny returning this classic to a roadworthy state. They replaced a long list of brake, electrical, and fuel system components, and bolted on new tires. The results justified the cost and effort, with the El Camino running and driving perfectly. It sees regular service and is a turnkey proposition for the winning bidder.
The first owner didn’t restrict their cash splash to this El Camino’s drivetrain, loading its interior with a few desirable factory options. These include air conditioning, a tilt wheel, a 6,000rpm tachometer, and an AM/FM stereo radio. It remains tidy and serviceable, but needs a few tweaks to present at its best. The buyer’s shopping list will include a new Black seatcover, a dashpad, and a carpet set. A close inspection will undoubtedly reveal a few small items requiring replacement, but those three pieces will lift the presentation enormously without breaking the bank. Refreshingly, I can’t spot any aftermarket additions that would need removal if the new owner craves authenticity.
The listing statistics paint a clear picture regarding the desirability of this 1969 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396. It has attracted twenty-one bids at the time of writing. However, the View and Watch List tallies of over 400 and 84 suggest that plenty of people like what they see. There is no doubt about the potential that is locked away beneath the tired paint, but addressing its rust will be a significant undertaking. On the plus side, everything required to return this SS to a pristine state is readily available. I guess the biggest question I can pose to our Barn Finds readers is what you might be prepared to pay to take this classic home.
Love the Camino and the Ranchero models 😎
I have not seen an L78 with AC before!
I dunno, but that pickup bed just looks to long in relation to where the cab is.
If the new owner isn’t handy, I can see upwards of 30-40k to get this thing right.
The holes in the bed & said frame rot means this thing was obviously driven year around in Mich.
No thanks.
No proof it’s an L-78 other than a tach and rear end? Where’s the documentation such as a POP or build sheet? You weren’t supposed to be able to get AC with an L-78, with the original engine gone how can he back up his theory? This the the same seller that had the silver with black stripe 1970 SS El Camino featured on this site a week or so ago. This won’t be inexpensive either, so there will be a lot of downside for a buyer if the original engine claim is wrong.
Steve R
Can find the build sheet under the back seat, drivers side ;-)
Not always.
This seller has had several cars featured on this site over the years, he pretty knowledgeable. If you read the ad for the 70 El Camino he currently has listed he did a good job of running numbers, this ad also shows he did some research, though he cherry-picked what’s in the ad to only things that are favorable. I assume he would have searched for the build sheets, finding one would be worth thousands if the supported his claim this is a factory L-78.
Steve R
Neat car/truck, but the L78 claim does not hold water.
You could not get Air Conditioning with an L78 engine in 1969:
https://chevellestuff.net/1969/options.htm
The factory option list availability specifically states, “Not available when 375HP engine is ordered.”
And see the second power team table here: https://chevellestuff.net/1969/power_teams.htm
Specifically states “Air Conditioning Not Available” beside the L78 option.
Odds are it was a 350HP engine originally, and only the block was replaced under warranty, which explains why all the top end (intake, carb etc.) is still original 350HP parts.
As to the 6K tach, that could have been added later, or it could have been a mistake at the assembly plant or a substitution if the correct redline tach was not in inventory on the day that instrument cluster was assembled. They would not hold up production of a car waiting on a tachometer. They would use what was available.
As to the 3.73 axle, that has been changed because you could not get a 3.73 gear with air conditioning. Again see the power teams table linked above. 3.31 was as low a ratio as you could get with AC.
I posted earlier with links to proof you could not get A/C with an L78 engine. But it didn’t post, maybe due to the external links. Go to the chevellestuff [dot] net website. Click the 1969 button.
Then scroll down and click “Options and Accessories when installed by Chevrolet” to see the original option availability list sent by Chevrolet to all the dealers, and find the C60 Air Conditioning section. It says Not available with 375HP engine.
Then click Back, and scroll down and click “Power Teams” and go to the second power team chart on that page, which is what Chevrolet sent to the dealers. Find the L78 section. It says Not available with Air Conditioning.
Jeff, thanks for the site info
You have to wonder about a seller who states the car is rusty, really rusty, doesn’t post pictures of the rust and parks so the photos are into the shade then says don’t ask about rust. Um, the vehicle is on Ebay so are potential bidders supposed to imagine what the rust looks like if they can’t see it in pictures? Nice post Jeffschevelle, facts speaks volumes so this couldn’t be an L78 with A/C so I’d hope people do their homework on this one.
Air-Conditioned Big-Block. I’d drive the crap outta that.
It’s a hotrod! Numbers matching ,who gives a s#@__$t? Man roll the window down.play some pink Floyd,enjoy life.dont be a wanna be.
Sold on 4/20/2025 for a high bid of $13,500.
Steve R