Vehicle Sighting - 1970 Chev El Camino

[Number_35]

The engine started (sounded great), and I whipped out my phone to get a photo before the car drove away.

The owner saw me and drove over slowly. I was a bit surprised the driver was a lady. She said the car was a 1970, the same year she graduated from high school.

The engine is a 350. I forgot to ask whether the transmission was 2- or 3-speed.

I asked for permission to photograph the car, and for permission to post photos online. She asked me to blank out the plates, as she already has too many people trying to get her to sell the car.

I guess I can say, without violating her privacy, that this was in north-central Minnesota.

After joking that she'd be buried in the car, she said that it would actually go to a grandson. Phew!

 

[Chris142]

I can't read the air filter lid. If its a factory 4bbl its a 300hp 350. 10.25-1 compression and good flowing heads for the day. A performance cam and headers would really wake that engine up. Unfortunately it most likely has 2.73 gears in the rear end which limits its acceleration.

 

[JeffKeryk]

'67 was the last year of the 2 speed Powerglide. It is probably a TH350 which is a great trans. Of course it may be the great 200 4R.
'70 was the last year of decent compression before the smoggers. I prefer the 64-67 cars, but that's just me. The '68 with the small taillights was the best of the newer cars, IMO.

Pretty darn nice A-Body...

 

[KGMtech]

As a teenager in Vancouver I worked with a guy in the Chevron service station that owned one of these, however his was very abused by the time he got it in 1981?

It had the 2 speed automatic, leaking headers and the floor and bed was 50/50 rust and Devcon. I remember his driving very fast over railroad tracks to get as much air as possible, the car crashing down and the bench seat sliding back in protest. I guess anyone behind us was dodging a spew of rust as we landed. What fun.

 

[Number_35]

'67 was the last year of the 2 speed Powerglide. It is probably a TH350 which is a great trans. Of course it may be the great 200 4R.
'70 was the last year of decent compression before the smoggers. I prefer the 64-67 cars, but that's just me. The '68 with the small taillights was the best of the newer cars, IMO.

Pretty darn nice A-Body...

My '68 Impala had the 307 paired with a Powerglide. I think it was dropped from the full-size Chevys for '69, but still turned up for years in Novas and Vegas.

Agreed on the '68 - peak El Camino for me.

 

[JHZR2]

Always liked those double headlight setups. I know a guy with a mid-70s Pontiac Gran Ville 455 convertible that has ones that look almost the same.

 

[JavierH19]

Love these.

 

[JeffKeryk]

My '68 Impala had the 307 paired with a Powerglide. I think it was dropped from the full-size Chevys for '69, but still turned up for years in Novas and Vegas.

Agreed on the '68 - peak El Camino for me.

You're right; I stand corrected. Google sez that made the PG until 1973. Wow!

 

[RoadDukie]

That's one of the prettiest Caminos I've seen in a LONG time. Love the color and the chrome work. Best thing is that it doesn't have stupid looking 22 inch wheels on it.

 

[joekingcorvette]

The vehicle looks really nice especially for a Minnesota car. Most around my area have been rust buckets for many years. It must not be driven much in the winter. I wonder if that's an original color? The vehicle looks to be in great condition.

 

[Kira]

Note the single conductor horn wire extending from the radiator support just ahead of the white sticker on the driver's side.
No AC.
The front bumper is low on the left.

 

[Bailey28]

Leave it to Kira to ruin a wet dream.

 

[novadude]

I can't read the air filter lid. If its a factory 4bbl its a 300hp 350. 10.25-1 compression and good flowing heads for the day. A performance cam and headers would really wake that engine up. Unfortunately it most likely has 2.73 gears in the rear end which limits its acceleration.

Looking at the fuel line, it appears that the carb is probably a 2GC Rochester, which would make it the 250hp version.

 

[PontiacHO]

Yes. That’s a 2 bbl. Station wagon frame and suspension and Chevelle front clip.