Muscle cars were all the rage in the late 1960s, but the muscle truck hadn’t quite been developed. Based on the Chevelle platform, the El Camino was Chevrolet’s “gentleman’s pickup” – and they began offering a Super Sport version of it in 1968. For 1970, the El Camino SS was sold with either a 396 or the new 454 cubic inch V8. The seller’s truck is the latter and may be in rare company as perhaps only 5,000 or so were built that year.
The El Camino was the market leader in the “utility vehicle” sector (of which there were only two competitors, including Ford’s Ranchero). About 47,700 El Camino’s were produced in 1970 – and because the SS 454 was an option – exact production numbers aren’t known. But estimates peg the number at 10 to 15% of total El Camino output that season. The seller’s edition has the 360 hp version, which means it should easily spin the rear tires given the lack of weight on the rear end (unloaded, that is).
We’re told this Chevy is numbers-matching, therefore it should be the “real deal” rather than a clone. The seller says it has only been owned by one family since new, residing in Utah but located now in Gainesville, Georgia. It’s well equipped with a TH-400 automatic transmission and factory air. The interior looks quite nice, though a bench seat was chosen over buckets.
The green paint was redone at some point, and it seems to have been applied well. The bed of the truck has a protective coating, perhaps added at that time. The mileage is said to be 54,000 and documented, so this pickup hasn’t seen that much action over the years. The tires are new, and we’re told the truck drives quite well. Available here on eBay, the asking price is $39,000. Perhaps all this Chevy needs is a new home.
Very nice chevy. Looks to have add on cruise control. I did not see a rear sway bar as the add states it has. Otherwise a nice Chevy
If it is a real LS5 numbers matching that would be a nice one to own.
It’s funny how everyone likes caminos but the prices for one is always cheaper than a chevelle,a chevelle like this wood be 60k or more,I’ve been waiting for years for these to go up but they haven’t!
Al, quit hoarding them then. If you would let a few of em out of your corral more people would see how Kool they are and want one. Thus, the price point will rise to your expectations. End result you make your millions!
Al how many you hoarding 😂. Had a 71 this same color, only console and buckets! Automatic, so much fun!
Me too!
Big block & a bench seat, nice subdued colour scheme – what’s not to like? I’d prefer a manual on the floor, but the column shifted auto leaves the cab uncluttered. Very nice.
Boy! If you had to drive something, this would be it.
question regarding this being based on a chevelle platform. forgive my ignorance but does this mean it’s not body on frame?
These are body on frame platforms. The Chevelle frames do not interchange, the wagon frames are similar but slightly shorter in the rear. The biggest difference is the Elco frame is boxed, like the convertible frames.
So, El Camino frame and convertible are boxed frames. Wagon is “C” frame? Not sure what you’re saying is the difference.
The El Camino did not offer the F41 suspension, although many did add rear sway bar, which this car doesn’t show. I’d like to see the trim tag as I believe the interior has been changed to black, based on the green kick panels. The tailgate trim is upside down (fairly common) and bedliner is sometimes used to conceal a bad bed. Too bad that the dash was drilled for an oil pressure gauge, originals are hard to come by. All in all, a nice appearing Elco, but the ad is short on details and better photo’s.
The kick panels were the first thing I noticed in the interior. If it did originally have a green interior, why would someone would go thru all the expense of switching interior colors and not take a can of SEM landau black and spray the kick panels is beyond me. Those little “detail” type things irk me, and I tend to assume what else did the owner take a short cut on.
The kick panels can be a PITA to remove & may leak water onto the floor after you put them back in.
JoeNYWF64, Yes, they can be a PITA to work on that have fresh air vents, but on this car, with factory air, there are no doors, flaps or sealant involved. They are super easy to remove…
Russ, the El Camino’s were not as light in the rear as most people think. The 68-72’s actually have a slightly, and I mean slightly, better front/rear weight bias than a similarly equipped coupe. The 64-67 models are slightly lighter in the rear, and I can’t speak to the 59-60’s or the 73-87’s.