Frame Off Resto/Excellent Paint/396ci 450hp V8/Muncie M20/Showroom Interior

1970 Chevrolet El Camino

Among the first hybrid vehicles in the history of the automotive industry, the Chevrolet El Camino, a combination car-truck, featured the practicality of a pickup truck, while maintaining performance car status. Chevy dealers across the U.S. showcase vintage models like the El Camino in their showrooms, while awaiting a possible new release. Chevrolet promoted it as, “the most beautiful thing that ever shouldered a load!”. Even claiming, “It rides and handles like a convertible yet hauls and hustles like the workingest thing on wheels.”

It wasn't until 1968 that the El Camino, featuring a total body makeover, and loaded with a more powerful SS engine, took its place in the iconic lineup of American muscle cars and remained there for the remainder of the 1960's and throughout the 1970's. The 1970 454ci V8, featuring a new A-body, Chevelle front clip, and Monte Carlo front parking lights, came available in 360hp or 450hp performance levels, the highest performing El Camino to date, and thus, the stuff of legend. Ours is a 396ci V8 and is now available for the taking.

Exterior
The beneficiary of a frame off restoration 5 year ago we now see laser straight rust-free steel, well minded gaps, great chrome and stainless trimmings, a black vinyl top and repainted in the deep end of the pool's original color, Fathom Blue. From the B pillar forward its “look…! it's a Chevelle SS”, but from the B pillar rearward, its “look! …it's a hauler.”. Throw in some wide black racing stripes on top of the blue scooped hood and add in some 15-inch rally wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich 235/60R15's in front and wider 255/60R15's on the rear and let's boogie.

Interior
KISS is the theme from the interior, and it does so by utilizing plenty of black vinyl. For the doors we get the bowtie design on the panels, (look closely!), with vertical ribbed vinyl and smooth vinyl and some trim delineation. Crossing over the perfect threshold which holds back a sea of black pristine clean carping, we can rest ourselves in wide black vinyl bucket seats. Here we can take in the original dash, in dash tachometer, and gauges and knob setup from 1970. An AM/FM radio, and power steering are there for making the drive just a bit easier. Note and a shout out to the chrome handled, white ball topped Hurst gear shift lever in the middle of the console between the buckets.

Drivetrain
This 396ci V8 version is crammed under the hood and shows nicely with its chrome air cleaner cover, valve covers and bolt ons. An orange/red GM block is present, and little to no corrosion or rust is noted anywhere. This 396ci V8 is circa 1965/1966 based on the 3855961-casting number and makes a consignor stated 450hp thanks in part to the solid lifter camshaft. On top is a single 4-barrel carb mounted to an Edelbrock aluminum intake. A Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission, circa 1969, throws power rearward to a 12-bolt consignor stated 3.93 posi rear axle, and then the rear tires smoke?!?

Undercarriage
Some slight surface rust on the frame but all else looks showroom new. Solid floor pans, rockers and frame which have been repainted black persist in this simple undercarriage environment. A Magnaflow exhaust works its way rearward in dual form from the headers which show only the beginnings of surface rust. Power disc brakes are up front and power drum brakes on the back, all of which are new.

Drive-Ability
These late 60's early 70's muscle cars never cease to amaze me and this one is all buttoned up and ready to perform for you. Just sneak it a treat of high test gas and it will stand on its own two rear tires…(well maybe not!), but it performs beautifully, great acceleration, good solid braking, and there is almost no better feeling in the world than changing gears with a Hurst shifter…SMOOOOOOOTH! All working, all good for the test track drive.

A fine example of a restored El Camino right out of its prime year 1970. A pre gas crisis, pre-emissions car, with lots of capabilities to haul goods and some ass!

VIN DECODE
136800B170427
1-Chevrolet
36-Malibu V8
80-Pickup/Delivery
0-1970
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
170427-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
ST 70 13680-1970 Malibu Pickup
BDY B094617-Baltimore Body #
TR 756-Black Vinyl Astro Buckets
PNT 28B-Fathom Blue, Black Vinyl Top
03D-4th Week March Build