1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396

Description

Cars like this 1970 Chevy El Camino SS 396 always get us excited. Heck, with a strong-running big block, factory A/C, and a few clever upgrades, it has to be one of the biggest bangs for the buck we've ever seen. Seriously, if this was a Chevelle, it would cost tens of thousands more than it does, and wouldn't be even half as practical.

When you have something special, you don't cut corners. Obviously, the car has led a good life and ever since it was new, folks have been taking exceptionally good care of this handsome Elky. Living in the warm, dry southern US certainly helps, and after a comprehensive restoration it looks absolutely fantastic. Using the correct code 25 Astro Blue with black SS stripes, it was stripped, smoothed, sanded, and buffed to its current spectacular condition. There's a cowl-induction hood to feed the big block underneath, correct emblems and SS badges, and yes, they have the vaunted '396' underneath which makes this car all the more intimidating on the street. Perhaps even more unusual is the code B Black vinyl roof, which few of us have ever seen before, but there it is on the cowl tag and that's the way it was restored. The bed is also beautifully finished, perhaps too nice to ever carry anything again, but given the car's pedigree, you can't fault them for going overboard with the restoration.

The interior is no less remarkable, both in terms of the quality of the restoration and the unusual specification. A black bench is authentic (code 756), so there's no console, giving the interior a pleasing, spacious feeling that's normally lost on El Caminos with dark interiors. The instrument panel is full of factory gauges, including a tachometer, all of which are in such great condition that they have surely been restored. Beautiful new carpets, matching door panels, and a fresh dash pad all add to the factory-new look. You'll also find fully functional factory A/C in the dash, an upgraded AM/FM/cassette radio, a tilt column, and factory seat belts with optional shoulder harnesses. Note that the shift quadrant now manages four forward gears, which is thanks to the 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission now living underneath. Tilt the passenger's seat forward to find a spare tire, something few El Caminos carry today and something we hope you'll never need.

There's no question that whomever spec'd out this unusual El Camino had his priorities straight when he ticked the box for the 396 cubic inch V8. It gives up some horsepower to the 454, but in terms of drivability, this is the one you really want to own if you like to drive. It also makes power steering and A/C a reality, and with a towering torque curve, there's insane amounts of power anywhere on the tach and shredding the tires takes just a tickle of the throttle. The period-correct engine was rebuilt to stock specs and topped with a big 4-barrel carb on an Edelbrock intake, then dressed like the factory would have done it. Underneath, there's an optional F41 suspension, the aforementioned 4-speed automatic transmission, and original 12-bolt with 3.55 gears and a Posi unit inside. A rumbling dual exhaust with glasspack-style mufflers sounds spectacular and handsome Torque Thrust wheels carry 235/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.

Beautifully restored and ready to rock, this is one heck of a car. Like I said, if this was a Chevelle, it would be a major player, yet you can own this incredible El Camino for less than the cost of the restoration. Call today!