I have an El Camino jones going on. I have been looking at the ’68 to ’72 version lately and with more than just a passing interest. I have always like this kit-bash between a car and a 1/2 ton pickup. As is often the case, you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Being an SS396 version, in particular, caught my interest with this 1968 Chevrolet El Camino so let’s examine it. It is located in Walker, Louisiana and is available here on eBay for a current bid of $5,001, reserve not yet met.

The El Camino story has been covered here on Barn Finds numerous times in the past, so it’s best to just delve into this example. Of note, this El Camino is an SS396 model which was first offered on the El Camino in ’68 even though the 396 engine was available in ’66 and ’67. Owing to this Camino’s VIN, it can be determined that this example is what it purports to be. After ’68, the SS396 identity is lost due to it becoming an option and not remaining as a separate model.

The exterior is a little rough around the edges, the seller states, “Most people will ask, does the car have rust….YES, the car has rust, but it’s not rotten…ALL old cars have rust!  Again, The car is not rotten. This is NOT an up north rotted road salt car. Paint is peeling on the car. There Are bubbles here or there. There is a spot or two in the pans (does not need new pans)”. I would disagree with the sentiment that all old cars possess rust and I have reviewed enough to know this is true. Sure many do, and geographical location does play a part. Furthermore, GM “A” bodies, such as this El Camino, are definitely subject to destructive corrosion, so rust is no surprise with this example. According to the trim tag, white, code C, is the correct original finish for this Chevy, both body and roof, so the roof must be a repaint. It appears, however, that parts of some body panels have been repainted as there is notable flaking occurring. Unfortunately, there is no image of the cargo bed included, a major source of rust commencement. It also looks like some side grab rails have been attached to the bedsides though they look more like shower curtain rods.

The interior of this Camino has seen some reupholstering in the form of a diamond-patterned, velour fabric spread across what look like 1969 or later bucket seats. The door cards and armrests are tired and the carpet is missing. The center console is a nice inclusion but it appears that something was screwed to the stainless trim panel at one time and now all that remains are the holes. As is typically the case, the steering wheel is significantly cracked around the hub, a ’68 Chevrolet trademark. The good news is that a Camino’s interior is abbreviated so there’s not that much to refurbish.

Under the hood is a 396 CI, big-block V8 engine that was rebuilt a few thousand miles ago, and this example is a running vehicle. Nevertheless, the seller adds, “The Long and short, The car runs, stops and steers. I would not try drive it home just yet. Still needs a little fine-tuning”. That’s a bit of a red flag for an engine that was rebuilt a few years ago and has very few miles on it.  There is no word regarding engine originality or variant as in 325 or 350 HP and the only noted upgrade is the inclusion of headers. The temperature sending unit is in the wrong place for a ’68 engine as it should be located in the driver’s side cylinder head, not the intake manifold, and a ’68 intake does not have a provision for it. I would guess that this engine is not the original. The seller also claims that the Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission was rebuilt when the engine was redone.

So, what do we really have here? It’s not a bad start, depends on how extensive the rust really is and the unknown condition of the cargo bed. The engine is a bit of a cause for concern too, simply because of the way the seller has described it. If it needs some fine-tuning, why not just do it and help with the sale? No telling what the reserve is on this example but my El Camino jones is telling me to pass and keep looking.