The El Camino was Chevrolet’s version of a “gentleman’s pickup” or “coupe utility.” It was produced between 1959/1960 and again from 1964 to 1987. The latter run was based on the mid-size Chevelle, and the El Camino was designed to compete against Ford’s Ranchero (which it regularly beat in terms of sales). The seller has a 1969 edition decked out as an SS 396 with a numbers-matching, 325 hp engine. It looks great from what we can tell and has received some performance upgrades.
Chevrolet built more than 48,000 El Caminos in 1969, making that its best sales year to that point. It’s estimated that less than 10,000 came with the Super Sport option which was also how it was treated on the Chevelle after 1968. The cowl tag on the seller’s version indicates that color changes have been made to both the paint color and the interior trim. Paint code 61 stands for Burnished Brown Metallic (black now?) and the interior trim code 770 is for Antique Medium Saddle (now red and black). Chances are these combinations are better looking than the original selection, but do the changes reduce the truck’s resale value?
We’re told that the 396 V8 is original to the pickup, so we assume the same applies to the 4-speed manual transmission. It’s a well-equipped SS with factory air, power steering and power front disc brakes, and factory gauges. It also comes with an add-on flip-up bed cover. To enhance the performance of the Chevy, headers with a Flowmaster exhaust system have been installed along with an aftermarket intake manifold and bigger carburetor (we assume). For those who prefer originality, the factory parts have survived.
There is an extra set of wheels and tires under the bed cover which should be what came with the truck new. The indicated mileage is 112,000, so this has not been a garage queen part of its life. If you’re looking for a somewhat original SS 396 El Camino, could this be the one? It’s in Graham, Washington, and is available here on eBay. The current bid is $14,100 with the reserve unmet as yet.
This is one beautiful machine. I would have changed the paint color if I owned it. Dark brown is OK on a UPS truck but not here.
This is the guy that’s selling the 68 427 SS Impala featured on this site earlier today.
Nice El Camino, I wouldn’t care that the interior color was changed, same goes with any of the other modifications. The apparent quality and selection of comfort and convenience options are what matters. This El Camino would make for a great driver, probably at a significant discount compared to an equivalent SS Chevelle.
Steve R
Yeah, Bob, brown is not everyone’s cup of tea though I think the color, especially the sixties and seventies metallic brown, has a grow on you potential. When the color is freshly painted it does look pretty good. Sure beats the endless stream of gray-scape vehicles that litter the roadways today.
You left out the white and black ones in the endless stream. We’ve got a dark red metalic and a bright blue set of cars that stand out every time we go out. At least we don’t lose them in the parking lots.
Mike76
I agree. I had a 1963 Tempest Custom sports coupe (326 ci/260 hp, 3-speed manual) that was Cordovan Brown metallic. The paint with its golden metallic flakes was stunning. Like you said…. it sure beats today’s boring white, black and silver choices. The matching interior colors back then were also incredible.
When I was about 18,I looked at one like this,only
in that light Green color.The old man that showed it to
me took me for a test drive,& then asked “You want to-
drive it?” Of course I said “Yes”.I think he was asking
$1600 for it.
Went down this street when we came to a dip that
was about 1/2 block long,& the old man said “Punch it”.
I said “What?”,thinking that I’d misheard him.Once again,
he said “Punch it”,& I obeyed this time.
I’ve never been in a car with that kind of acceleration.
For some reason,when I told my Dad that I wanted to buy it,
wouldn’t let me.He probably saved my life.
Very nice equipped car.i like that they kept all the parts that they changed. The price seems right too. A/c four speed tilt wheel and radio are nice
I’m just not seeing the brown color here, nor do I care. A’69 El Camino is an awesomely styled car. If this one doesn’t give you the hots you didn’t understand the question.
I’m thinking some of you need to re-read the write up, it says that the trim tag indicates the original color was brown, but that it appears to be black now.
Well that explains it. Sometimes I’m hard of understanding. Especially when there’s so many gripes about brown.
Wrong colors in and out but otherwise gorgeous.
When I look at this El Camino I think of an old friend that had a 70SS 396 just sitting. It was all there no body damage or anything. He would not sell it and l believe it was abandoned and towed away. This was late 90’s. I also had another friend same thing but his car was a 70 SS Nova. This was 1989.I wish there was a BF back then and maybe those great classics could have maybe been saved. I believe there are many people that can remember cases like this.
Cool!