Update 2 May 2021: Relisted here on eBay.
Chevrolet’s sales brochure called the 1970 El Camino “unlike anything else on the road,” and the combination of a car-like front with a pickup truck bed makes a perfect package for a focused and passionate target market. This 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396 in Fresno, California shows enough rust to have come from New England, but it retains its original big block, and it runs! An array of factory options beyond the SS package sweeten the deal, promising one fine ride when restored. At least a dozen bidders here on eBay have elevated the El Camino’s market value beyond $10,000 as the auction nears its close, barely more than half the $20,000 Buy It Now price.
While El Camino buyers could outfit their car/truck thing with the mighty 454 cid (7.4L) in 1970, Chevy called out “SS 396” in their brochures, and only SS 396 buyers got the 396 cid (6.5L) version of the Mark IV big block. With 350 HP and 415 lb-ft of torque on tap, El Camino owners could choose to roast nearly every car on the road, or tow a trailer down the road, or both on the same day!
SS badges celebrate the truck’s sporty status from all angles, along with aftermarket dual exhaust tips. The trailer hitch fits the El Camino’s work ethic, and Chevrolet offered “air booster” rear shocks to level the ride height when necessary.
The interior is pretty well shot, and the seller offers to refresh it for the new buyer, for a fee of course. In addition to the nifty SS steering wheel and custom interior, this unit features air conditioning (non-functional), power windows, power locks, and a tilt steering column. Altogether that’s one well-equipped truck. The El Camino could be equipped with a bucket seat interior and center console, but with only one row of seating, the bench seat made more sense for most buyers. Thanks to OldCarBrochures for some details. The El Camino SS represents a sort-of reverse mullet, giving buyers a vehicle with muscle-car “party in the front” and pickup truck “business in the back.” What would you haul in this mostly-original big-block El Camino?
Looking at the amount of rust on the signal lever and the cloudy conditions of the gages, I suspect that there has been a LOT of moisture intrusion in this trashed interior. (IMO) it’s going to take some serious money to bring this one back. Not for the faint of heart! GLWTA!! :-)
There is no doubt that this was a flood car, there is rust and mud everywhere. $20000 asking price, lol!
I had a 70 Camino as a first car. That was 1980. These were simply not good cars. At less than 10 years old the frame behind the rear wheel was already rusted through. Fuel tank (Camino only) was bad. Low on power and no traction when wet. The above car is a corpse. That’s it. Should be an O between the SS emblems. This ship has sunk a long time ago.
Nice of the seller offer to restore it for you. Great concept. Buy a turd that needs everything. Post it up. Offer to restore. Make double money. Obviously the seller hasn’t thought that out. Once started on will never leave the shop. Maybe that’s the intent.
“this a project car you dont find in this condition very often!”….. We can only hope.
“It runs!” For a BIN price of twenty grand I would sure hope so…
Brain damage is not a good thing.
Neither is greed.
Such a deal.
I sold a 72 last November for $2000. Had a 70 front clip and SS grille. Tilt column with 350 and bench seat. Mulsanne Blue. No frills and 68k miles
It’s a Chevelle, the Malibu Classic asa el camino or 4th’n 5th gen is “the one” for this ford guy. Just entering the ’80s malaise’ for best looking. Nice square lines (the 80s had some of it just like the early 60’s post “bulge-mobile” ’50’s)The weird elliptical rear window/head bd, the 2nd of these was dwn szed I think, flat grill (not this pointed thing)…
Lill more touched by luxury than that raw model ‘the Bandit’ rode, no that wuz trans am, may B it wuz Smokie’s ride then?