California Special huh? Well, that’s what the seller claims regarding this 1968 Chevrolet El Camino SS396. That’s a new one on me, but maybe I have missed something somewhere – and maybe some of you can shine some light on this seemingly unknown trim level. Anyway, this resident of Upper Marlboro, Maryland is a long way from the Golden State but it is available here on eBay for a current bid of $1,580 with the reserve not yet met.
The SS396 version of Chevy’s half car/half truck was new for ’68. The Camino had been outfitted with the 396 big-block V8 starting with the ’66 model year but ’68 saw the introduction of the actual Super Sport 396 edition. Camino production was brisk 57 years ago with a total output of 41K units – 5,100 of that total bearing the SS396 badge. And, speaking of that badge, the one worn on the front of our subject car reads “SS” and not “SS396” so that seems like something is amiss. Beyond that, this one’s in rough shape – primarily due to excessive rust. Plenty of it is the surface variety but there’s a lot of rust-through in the fender legs and quarters. The cargo bed is not rotted out, and that’s helpful, but the obvious surface rust is concerning.
The interior is about what one would expect – grimy and worn. The bench seat/ four-speed shifter is a cool feature but the upholstery and carpet are filthy, the dashpad is cracked and the not correct steering wheel (it’s from a ’69 or ’70 version) is crumbling to pieces.
OK, here’s the “California Special” reference. Besides this door panel’s incorrect upholstery pattern, the “SS396” badge has been replaced by what looks like a glued-on aftermarket piece, proudly proclaiming “California Special.” I’ve done some searching around and can find no reference to an El Camino ever so identified – that doesn’t mean it didn’t exist but I have my doubts.
Under the hood is what else but a 396 CI V8 engine. As to which one, 325, 350, or 375 HP, it’s hard to say with certainty. It’s dressed as the very rare RPO L78 (375 HP) version, at least according to the Holley carburetor and Winters aluminum intake manifold but those items sometimes end up on lesser-powered examples so the engine code from the machined pad, located in the front and just below the passenger side cylinder head would need to be reviewed for full authentication. The seller claims the engine runs but the vehicle is not driveable.
Well, I give the seller one thing, he’s very forthcoming with the listing images even if he’s not with the description. Regardless, this Chevy is going to need a ton of work. Fenders and interiors can be easily replaced, the remainder of the body is probably an unknown until one gets down to the nitty-gritty. The underside, in particular, is a question mark but I would expect potential integrity issues, and that engine…definitely a matter that will require a deeper dive. So, what do you think, has anyone ever heard of a “California Special” El Camino, or is this just some California dreamin’?
Ugh…
Sweet Leaf š special š¬ š„“maybe J.O.
Years ago there was a guy who said he had a 69 trans am prototype, I think it was even on here.
I’ve seen a lot of California Special mustangs with those exact emblems.
Ignoring the “California Special” garbage, the incorrect steering wheel and grill emblem are troublesome, but since this is a 1968 El Camino, the VIN will tell the story. Too bad the seller chose not to post it, or even to call it out as a genuine “138” El Camino SS. Proceed with caution.
Definitely a long term project. The crappy paint and extensive rust. ( rust okay, rot not okay) how is the frame I wonder. It looks as though someone attempted an upgrade or whatever but it is Definitely problematic. And the engine. Lots of question marks with this old El Camino. The steering wheel is another thing altogether. The whole thing looks like it’s been sitting around for a while. Good luck with that.
Not something I would tackle for an actual restoration, being too bad of condition. Maybe a race car, crazy streetcar for someone who can afford to make some mistakes along the way. I’ve had owners approach me with worse projects and wheelbarrows full of money that had to be convinced to look for something better.
?
Didn’t Yenko, Hertz and Ford all jump the aftermarket dealer created “specials”? At least Yenko backed it up with substantial improvements while most others were just decal packages. I know the Mustang clergy will correct me, but wasn’t the original California Special an appearance option? On the west coast it seemed as though there was a new special from Galpin or another megastore every year. I wasn’t working in California for very long (maybe 18 months over many years) but my perception is that many were sold. This doesn’t even seem to be to any standard of production so I suspect it was a creation of some backyard impresario.
Lifelong Ca resident and I say BS
Lots of road salt in the winter in Maryland. Looks like this one may have picked up a couple of extra pounds along the miles.
Yup! Those emblems are indeed off a Mustang.
It’s definitely rough. But still a lot of potential there. The frame would rot out where the lower control arms attached to the frame. That’s why my ’72 El Camino SS was parked
Not sure what this mess is but one thing it aināt, an SS
What makes you say that? There is nothing visible that says it isnāt. Iād say the odds are more likely than not it is a real SS.
Steve R
We’re all supposing but plate on dash looks like says Malibu, not SS 396. Also why would owner throw out SS 396 door panel emblems and leave off tailgate SS emblem? Possibly got 69 engine and steering-wheel out of a wrecking yard, along with the other incorrect emblems.
The tailgate, which is correct for a 68 is also missing its 2 horizontal pieces of trim, as well as any emblem so I donāt really consider that a big deal. Missing or incorrect door panel emblems are common, with the installation of California Special emblems itās not surprising the original emblems were removed no matter what they were. Not sure why someone would remove the dash emblem other than the possibility it delaminated and was replaced with whatever was available at the time. Whatever the car started as, itās a factory 4spd, the grill looks right, it has a factory tach and gauges with what appears to be the redline for a big block. There is no way to know one way or the other, but there is enough evidence it is to dismiss the possibility off hand. The only way to know is if the seller listed the VIN or trim tag.
Steve R
I guess over the years it could have been parts swapped wrecked etc but there are as many things missing as there are present. With the crappy pics and the obvious, no VIN, I canāt say for certain. That hood has been on there a long time. As a guess Iād easy it was involved in a front end collision a long time ago and someone sourced a used SS dog house. After looking at it harder I do see more than I did at first glance. Maybe the customization removed some interior pieces and it had a tailgate change at some point.
Also, a point I missed, I suppose you could get an SS without power disc brakes but Iāve never seen one.
Pnuts, you are right, manual drum brakes were standard, even on an SS until 1969.
This car is a mess, I donāt think Iād want to be into it for more than the value of a parts car.
Steve R
Itās an interesting car but Iām wondering if it was in a flood by the looks of the interior and surface rust.
If you could get it dirt cheap it might be worth trying to restore.
if the body looks like that what does the frame look like?
Auction ended 3/30/2025 with a high bid of $5,518, did meet reserve.
Steve R
People are going to have to wake up to reality. Itās a buyers market especially compared to 4 yrs ago and is going to continue to trend that way for a while. Not good news for those of us owning multiples but I should have acted while the market was hot. Oh well, Iāll quit learning when I quit breathing. I did sell one a couple of years ago. Iāll take the win and learn from the losses. Whoever bid this to 5500 still has learning ahead of them. Also the one who didnāt sell it. An old saying of my dadās āthatās when 2 fools met.ā
Steve R: correction, did not meet reserve.
Looks like they pulled this one out of the lake