Parked 25 Years: 1969 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396
After a brief outing in 1959-60, the El Camino returned in 1964 as part of the Chevelle mid-size lineup. It was considered a “gentleman’s pickup” because it was based on an automobile platform rather than a truck. The Super Sport option would come along in 1968, providing the El Camino with a 396 cubic inch V8. This 1969 example has been in storage since 1999 and is numbers matching, though in need of loads of cosmetic work. Located in Harvard, Illinois, this once speedy workhorse is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,000. Thanks for the tip, Barn Finder Hans H.!
The El Camino was developed in response to Ford’s Ranchero which came out in 1957. The Ford became a Falcon derivative in 1960 and then the larger Fairlane in 1966, staying in that format through the end of the line in 1979. On the other hand, the El Camino sold in greater numbers and would remain a Chevy fixture through 1987 when the rear-wheel-drive platform was dropped. Out of nearly 40,000 El Caminos produced in 1969, it’s estimated that 4,000 had RPO Z25 which added the 396 engine with a minimum of 325 hp.
As the story goes, this ’69 El Camino originated out West and eventually found its way to Illinois. It’s been in storage for 25 years with no explanation of why. The engine and transmission are original to the vehicle, but no mention is made if they function at all, and the truck also has factory air conditioning and probably a TH-350 or TH-400 automatic transmission.
As the pickup is still in storage, no interior photos are provided. There must be ample rust as the seller is providing replacement quarter panels and fenders to help what may ail this old Chevrolet. Other parts will be included (which ones?) and the seller does have the original SS wheels which we assume will come with the sale instead of the wheels and tires on the vehicle in the photos.
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Comments
Too much money for a rusty 69 El Camino project, even an SS. It would get closer if it came loaded with options such as PW, PDL, tilt, bucket seats and console, factory tach/gauges and posi rear end. This was probably pretty basic, without those options or they would have been included in the ad.
In 1969 the only automatic transmission for an SS 396 Chevelle/El Camino would have been a TH400.
Steve R
Lots of rusty parts for the money I haven’t seen a restored or clean original SS in a long time don’t think I can get to the $15k value but what a nice find
Is not worth it!!!!!!
I wouldn’t pay more than about five grand for that thing considering all the work it’s gonna need even if it is a true SS big block
Tough to price something like this, especially with so few details of what you’d be buying. Unless it was dirt cheap, I can’t imagine buying this sight unseen, so you’d have to add the price of meet and greet (with the car) to the bottom line. That said, as always (for the most part), the market will decide what it’s worth.
Very cool hot rod,a little pricy.
Tv shows has made people way over value their old cars
Elcamino’s are notorious for rotting out on the back side of the cab, can only imagine what kind of rust this vehicle has that is not visible.
I have a 68. Mine is not rusty like this but it’s original engine is long gone. It has a 70 455 Oldsmobile unit in it. mine still sports its 12 bolt has a rear sway bar, tilt wood wheel, ac, power windows and it is basically junk to anyone that looks at it. A nice straight old truck that will haul mulch and garbage until the metal muncher gets it. Good luck getting 15k.
Wow maybe I should be looking at this same car forsale in my neck of the woods. Couple things, the one by me is stripped in primer ready to paint . Motor and 4spd tranny in and all new. Price is 9500. I’m in the process of putting back together a 68 bb h code gts dart that someone else took apart absolute nightmare!!! Never again and this is the biggest reason I won’t tackle another one. Pieces parts = insanity will set in. With that being said price on this one is too high.
Primered cars are never ready for paint, no matter what the seller says. If it were they would have put color on it themselves and sold it for a higher price. I have one buddy that does restorations for a living and another that owns a body shop, they both say to buy cars with old faded paint above primer so you are more likely to see any underlying problems.
Steve R