By 1968, the El Camino was in its third generation since joining Chevy’s line-up as a “gentleman’s” pickup. From 1964, it had been based on a mid-size platform and would remain in the portfolio through 1987. This ’68 edition was converted (in some respects) to a Super Sport clone, but with modifications like fuzzy interior components. Sitting in a field in Holland, New York, this Chevy is available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $1,699. Our thanks to Larry D for turning this one up for us!
The 1968 model year would see the El Camino SS for the first time as a standalone model. Unfortunately, out of more than 41,700 of the pickups built that year, just under 5,200 were Super Sports. Apparently, that number disappointed Chevy execs so it became an option through 1972. At some point, we surmise this SS clone was quite the looker, with a black paint job, vinyl top, custom stripes and aftermarket wheels. However, time and Mother Nature have not been kind to the truck, likely due to it sitting outside for what is probably a long time.
With its flat tires, this ’68 El Camino has been serving as lawn art and a place to store firewood (which will be removed when the pickup is taken away). This is not the only vehicle that seems to be slowly deteriorating in that yard; its company at a minimum looks like a 1953-54 Plymouth, 1971-72 Pontiac Ventura, mid-70s full-size Buick, 1964 Buick Electra 225, and a couple of Chevy work trucks. The body may or may not be holding up depending on where you look, but the roof is a big problem. The vinyl top is gone and what was under it has rotted – badly.
We’re told that the 350 cubic inch V8 under the hood was tested last year with a new carburetor and is said to have run well then. The seller says the TH-350 automatic transmission is also good. The rear end has posi-traction and fitted with new 4:11 gears (but how new is new?). It’s said that this SS clone has many real SS parts, like GM A-body bucket seats, but they’re just the beginning of a strange looking motif in the passenger compartment. Most of it may clean up well, but you’ve gotta love that look to want to keep it.
You don’t normally see a rusted dashboard, but this one is around the instrumentation and the steering column that is fitted with an Olds 442 steering wheel. If you air up the tires, we assume the truck will move around well enough to load onto a trailer. The seller is on a timetable and this vehicle needs to be gone within a month. If it doesn’t sell, he’ll part it out and junk the rest. Would you attempt a restoration on this machine or do like the seller is anticipating?
Looking at the condition of the top, and the dashboard, I’m surprised that the rest of the interior presents as well as it does! (IMO) this is little more than a parts vehicle, there is probably a LOT more unseen rust damage.
Maybe $500 for a usable drivetrain and a few parts if you already had an El Camino project.
The factory tach and gauges are worth $500+ by themselves. Same goes for the floor shift tilt column if an original A-body unit.
Steve R
Is that a 1 year / chevelle-el camino only tach?
Funny i never remember seeing a roller one! Must have been a heck of a rare option. I thought only old rivieras/toronados got roller gages – & only a speedo at that.
It is a 1 year only tach and gauge cluster.
Steve R
Wow. So many issues here.
This looks like a parts deal here. The rust has got to be everywhere.
$1500 seems like a bit much but maybe there is something there to justify the price. I just can’t see it though.
YIKES. that 70s van stripe, though!
I quite like the paint/interior. Not sure about the totey telly tho’…
Hmmmm Elconvertible
A certain type of driver for these. The stereotype fit pretty well. I can see the mullet now, the cig hanging low on the lip and some ill made music blasting loudly out the rolled down windows. These sold because they could be insured as trucks, and the performance engines slipped past the agent. Not real practical. Give me a Chevelle any day over this.
“ill made music”?
Now that makes me wonder exactly what or who that might be..
Bet there are some interesting nominations out there.
How much more $ would it take to include the firewood in the sale.
Much like the tire/rim combos that often aren’t included these sales, the firewood is the most appealing part of the car.
Take that wet damp firewood that’s been sitting in the bed of that El Camino and don’t be surprised if the roof of the El Camino looks far better than the bed.
How do you ad a sunroof to your El Camino? With a can opener.
SOLD for $1,550.
Cut it in half and sell each half to a bar owner to hang outside their establishment. Easily worth 2k each as decoration!