Bowing for the 1959 model year, the Chevy El Camino was the Bowtie’s answer to the Ford Ranchero. The El Camino was constructed on the B-Body platform, using the Safety Girder X-frame from Chevy’s station wagon. The initial run of the El Camino would only last two years, but would return to the Chevy lineup for the 1964 model year, when it would share underpinnings with the Chevelle station wagon. The El Camino would continue to share the Chevelle’s front fascia until the model line ceased production after the 1977 model year. The El Camino would then share the revamped A-Body structure and drivetrains with the Chevy Monte Carlo through the 1987 model year.
As the Chevy El Camino shared its architecture with the Chevelle, it was available with the same drivetrains and option packages. This meant the 1970 El Camino could be had with the Super Sport package and the same selection of Big Block engines available with the Chevelle, including the 350-horsepower 396 cubic-inch rat motor and our choice of either three-speed automatic or four-speed manual gearboxes.
When equipped with the SS, or Super Sport, package, the Chevy El Camino received a blacked-out grille, domed hood, wheel well moldings, chrome fourteen-inch by seven-inch SS wheels, an SS grille emblem, an SS tailgate emblem, and a black-faced dash with round gauges.
Our feature 1970 Chevy El Camino SS has had an extensive restoration with refinishing in Tuxedo Black with white Super Sport stripes and black vinyl roof over a black vinyl Strato bucket seat interior. It is equipped with power steering, power brakes, a Muncie shifter, a center console, a cushion rim steering wheel, an aftermarket cassette player and speakers, and five SS wheels wearing raised white-letter BFGoodrich Radial T/As.
It is powered by its matching-numbers L34 396 Turbo Jet Big Block producing 350 horsepower and 415 pound feet of torque. The 396 inhales through the cowl induction hood, and moves power to the rear wheels via the matching-numbers four-speed manual transmission and a twelve-bolt rear end.
This striking 1970 Chevy El Camino SS will cross the Mecum Auctions block at its Kissimmee, Florida event on Thursday, January 16th.
Comments
Ah, the good old days. Sad where auto industry and GM has “evolved” to.
Had almost all the right boxes checked on the original order. Too bad they forgot A/C.
I believe if you owned one of those, AC robbed too much horsepower!
Whomever buys it better park it and trailer it to shows. Way to hard to get body parts. It was hard finding parts back in the 80’s.
Camino’s had different front fenders and headlight doors in 1970,71 and 72 than a Chevelle. The Camino fenders had a flaired wheel opening and were very slightly curved on the sides. Headlight door were about 3/8″ wider
than the Chevelle
I had an asthmatic 305 and that godawful 200R4 transmission in it. 1986 i bought new. Biggest mistake i ever made.
If GM ever brings this model back, they had better get it right.