Photo: tampasooners/eBay
Developed in response to the Ford Ranchero, the Chevrolet El Camino arrived in 1959 as a two-door pickup based on a full-size car. GM discontinued the nameplate after only two years but chose to bring it back into showrooms in 1964. This time around, the El Camino was part of the midsize Chevelle lineup.
The El Camino soldiered on until 1987 as a version of the Chevelle or Malibu, but it's the 1964-to-1972 models that are sought-after these days. Why? Well, the answer is very simple. Much like the Chevelle of the era, the El Camino was part of the muscle car wars and rolled off the assembly line with a few notable performance options.
The 454-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) LS6 V8 of 1970 is obviously the most iconic and desirable. Rated at a whopping 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet (678 Nm) of torque, it turned the pickup into a 13-second car down the quarter-mile. It's also a rare gem, with only around 500 units produced.
But the SS 454 LS6 wasn't the only beefed-up El Camino available through the years. A 327-cubic-inch (5.4-liter) Turbo-Fire version with 300 horsepower was introduced as early as 1965, while 1966 brought the 396-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) big-block V8 with 325, 350, or 375 horses, depending on model year. The 1969 El Camino you see here is one of those true-blue SS 396 pickups.
The El Camino was relatively popular in 1969, with more than 48,000 examples delivered. However, as car-based pickups went out of fashion and muscle cars faded away after the 1973 oil crisis, many utes were left to rot away as their owners replaced them with modern automobiles. All told, late-1960s El Caminos that still run are hard to find in 2023. And that's precisely why this 1969 example is a spectacular gem.
Finished in Fathom Green and fitted with a black vinyl top, this utility coupe has the complete package. Not only is it rust-free and still sporting much of its original trim, but the interior hasn't been altered since it left the factory. Impressively enough, the black upholstery still looks fresh, while the dashboard doesn't display any cracks. But here's the even better news: this El Camino still rocks a numbers-matching 396 V8 and automatic transmission combo.
Granted, it's not the range-topping, 375-horsepower version of the 396-cubic-inch Turbo-Jet, but 325 horsepower is more than enough to power this beauty to highway speeds. More so since the engine looks great and it runs as it should. What I don't know for sure is whether the El Camino was restored or not. But with 63,000 miles (101,389 km) on the odo, it could be one of those original cars that only got a few touch-ups and maybe a repaint.
If it's something you'd like to park in your driveway, the SS 396 is looking for a new owner from Tampa, Florida. Bidding is at $30,400 with two days to go, but the reserve is still in place. For reference, 1969 El Camino SS 396s in Excellent condition are valued at around $53,000, while Concours-ready examples can fetch close to $70,000.
The 454-cubic-inch (7.4-liter) LS6 V8 of 1970 is obviously the most iconic and desirable. Rated at a whopping 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet (678 Nm) of torque, it turned the pickup into a 13-second car down the quarter-mile. It's also a rare gem, with only around 500 units produced.
But the SS 454 LS6 wasn't the only beefed-up El Camino available through the years. A 327-cubic-inch (5.4-liter) Turbo-Fire version with 300 horsepower was introduced as early as 1965, while 1966 brought the 396-cubic-inch (6.5-liter) big-block V8 with 325, 350, or 375 horses, depending on model year. The 1969 El Camino you see here is one of those true-blue SS 396 pickups.
The El Camino was relatively popular in 1969, with more than 48,000 examples delivered. However, as car-based pickups went out of fashion and muscle cars faded away after the 1973 oil crisis, many utes were left to rot away as their owners replaced them with modern automobiles. All told, late-1960s El Caminos that still run are hard to find in 2023. And that's precisely why this 1969 example is a spectacular gem.
Finished in Fathom Green and fitted with a black vinyl top, this utility coupe has the complete package. Not only is it rust-free and still sporting much of its original trim, but the interior hasn't been altered since it left the factory. Impressively enough, the black upholstery still looks fresh, while the dashboard doesn't display any cracks. But here's the even better news: this El Camino still rocks a numbers-matching 396 V8 and automatic transmission combo.
Granted, it's not the range-topping, 375-horsepower version of the 396-cubic-inch Turbo-Jet, but 325 horsepower is more than enough to power this beauty to highway speeds. More so since the engine looks great and it runs as it should. What I don't know for sure is whether the El Camino was restored or not. But with 63,000 miles (101,389 km) on the odo, it could be one of those original cars that only got a few touch-ups and maybe a repaint.
If it's something you'd like to park in your driveway, the SS 396 is looking for a new owner from Tampa, Florida. Bidding is at $30,400 with two days to go, but the reserve is still in place. For reference, 1969 El Camino SS 396s in Excellent condition are valued at around $53,000, while Concours-ready examples can fetch close to $70,000.
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