1968 el camino ss 396 production numbers

#1968 el camino ss 396 production numbers plus
#1968 el camino ss 396 production numbers series

This is difficult to fathom considering 1970 L78 Chevelles and Novas were built with both transmissions but, out of the 600 L78 Camaro SSs built in 1970, all the surviving, documented examples have been four-speeds. For some strange reason, if you wanted a Camaro SS with the L78, it seems your only choice was a four-speed. The L78 option continued into 1970 with a four-speed or automatic … except for the 1970½ Camaro. Starting in 1969, Chevrolet officially offered an automatic behind the L78 for the first time after only being available with a three- or four-speed manual, though the specially prepared TH400 automatic debuted as a COPO special order for 50 L78 Nova SSs in 1968. From 1966-70, the same basic engine was rated at 375 horses for the Chevelle SS 396, Nova SS (1968-70) and Camaro SS (1967-70). In 1965, 425-horsepower engine was introduced for full-size Chevrolets and the Corvette. 1968 Chevrolet Camaro (Image courtesy of Chevrolet)įrom 1965-70, the solid-lifter L78 396 was available for a number of Chevrolet models. Let’s look at some of those anomalies that continue to confuse enthusiasts. The struggle against competition lead to strategic decisions that may or may not hit the mark, especially after General Motors’ racing ban that began in 1963. Maybe Chevys didn’t have the most horsepower in the industry at that time, but soon the market would evolve and the Bow Tie brand would be at the forefront of the muscle car wars. They can be worth plenty, even if not numbers-matching.Chevrolet has been America’s favorite performance car since 1955. Too bad there is no reference to a built sheet or something else that would verify this truck as a real deal SS 396. But you’ll want to address its rust in the front fenders, right rear quarter panel, and roof panel before dealing with mechanical issues. The truck wears factory SS-style wheels and an aftermarket functional cowl induction hood should you want to go with that arrangement with your newly sourced V8. A new dash pad and rebuilt tilt steering also come along for the ride.

While the truck has a bench seat and a column shift for the tranny, the seller has a set of Malibu bucket seats and a console with floor shift that was planned for the Chevy. Today, it has rough orange paint that resembles Hugger Orange and the vinyl material on the roof is long gone. When it left the factory, this El Camino wore white paint and a black vinyl top. Since the mileage is unknown, there is no idea how worn out the overall truck is which looks as though it once stayed busy. Though the motor is gone from the seller’s pickup, its TH-400 automatic transmission remains. If an El Camino left the factory with a SS 396 set-up, the engine displacement was 402 cubic inches. If that’s correct, that means there are fewer El Camino SS survivors or restorations around today that Malibu-based models. One El Camino enthusiast went on a fact-finding mission a few years and concluded that there were 6,468 SS 396s and another 1,059 SS 454s.

#1968 el camino ss 396 production numbers plus

We do know that ’70 El Camino V8 production in total was 40,728 units (outselling its rival, the Ford Ranchero), plus another 539 with an inline-6 engine.

#1968 el camino ss 396 production numbers series

Neither the Chevelle nor the El Camino SS models were separate series in 1970, so production numbers get a little sketchy. The bidding stands at $5,100 with no reserve. Located in Maple Valley, Washington, this pickup project is available here on eBay. This ’70 edition is said to be a real SS 396, but its engine is gone, and the truck’s gone through at least one color change. That was also the case with the El Camino SS 396 in 1970, though it saw lower production numbers. So, it was natural that when the Chevelle would add a performance model, the Super Sport, the El Camino would soon follow. With it came the utility coupe El Camino which was based on the Chevelle’s 2-door station wagon platform. Chevrolet’s new mid-size car, the Chevelle, debuted in 1964.