1968 Chevrolet El Camino 396 SS Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 316
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- čas přidán 25. 07. 2019
- 1968 Chevrolet El Camino 396 SS Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 316
Some people consider the Chevrolet El Camino to be somewhat of a novelty item, especially in the SS versions. Originally built as a competitor to Ford’s original “mini truck” - the Ranchero - the El Camino served dutifully to those who needed a helping hand carrying small payloads but didn’t need , or want, a pickup regular pickup truck. But this one is the real deal when it comes to performance, style, and yes… practicality!
Chevrolet boasted about the El Camino having stamina and style.. the perfect choice for “right now” people who need a versatile vehicle for work, recreation, and around-town errands.” With a 1500 lb payload and over 6 feet of bed length with the tailgate down, an El Camino is a hard worker. Base models came with a 230 HP 6 cylinder engine, but that’s not why we’re here. This is Muscle Car Of The Week for cryin’ out loud.
To attract more buyers, Chevrolet adapted the SS trim and performance package from the Chevelle to the El Camino, which now gave buyers a way to drive a high-powered muscle car nearly guilt free! After all, it was a work vehicle, why not add a big block, 4-speed, and performance suspension? Who says you shouldn't make your work environment a bit more fun?
S1: Doesn’t need a trailer..
This particular ‘68 Elky SS is rocking the highest output 396 available, the RPO code L78 375 HP 396 backed by a Muncie 4-speed transmission. L78 specs read more like a race engine than a work truck plant, with and 11.5:1 compression ratio and a solid lifter cam. The cylinder heads featured oversized valves and large rectangular ports for heavy breathing, and a forged crank secured by 4-bolt main caps kept the special connecting rods swinging at high rpm. Power was rated at 375hp at 5600 rpm and 415 lb.-ft. of torque at 3600 rpm. A Muncie M22 4-speed and 12-bolt rear end equipped with 3.55:1 gears spin the wheels. You’ll have no excuse to be late to the jobsite with one of these.
The L78 package also included the F41 heavy-duty suspension, consisting of higher-rate coil springs and shocks matched to them, a larger front sway bar, and braced and boxed rear control arms to keep the 4-link rear suspension system for twisting into a ribbon under hard launches. A rear sway bar was also part of the package, as were 14” rally wheels and F70-14” tires.
The El Camino SS has a great look, like it’s lazier, no-job-having brother, the Chevelle SS. This one is finished in a sweet Seafrost Green with a black lower accent and black vinyl top. We really dig the color contrast with the black, green, silver Rally wheels, and redline tires… it’s just enough of each color to play along without clashing. The SS badges are present, along with the little 396 box on the marker light. Subtle, for sure, but they’re there. The tailgate frames a satin-black stripe, and Chevy fans know that black band means big-block lurks under the hood. It’s a warning to those looking to pick on our little pickup on it’s way home from work.
Inside, you’d never know you weren't in a Chevelle SS unless you looked in the rear view mirror. It’s got all the goodies… strato bucket seats, wood wheel, full console, Hurst-shifted 4-speed, and the full gauge panel in the dash. We love the drum-style tachometer. Am tunes and a heater keep you company on the way to the jobsite… or drag strip!
The exact production number of L78 ‘68 El Caminos isn’t known, but a figure of 393 has been estimated. We’re happy to see one in The Brothers Collection, and trust that it’s working days are over, but it’s definitely not retired.
1968 Chevrolet El Camino 396 SS Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 316 V8TV
#musclecaroftheweek #ElCamino #SS396
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This El Camino has a bigger bed than most of today's full-size pickups.
Lol. So true. Lol
And 1500# payload isnt anything to laugh at either.
A friend of mine had the GMC version called the Caballero. Who remembers those?
Thanks for sharing the El Camino. 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
Just when I thought I knew everything about older American cars . . . then you drop this nugget. Thumbs up to that.
bman99ss Yeah it was originally called the Sprint. 👍🏻
Brian Cabral Already noted that.
Yep. I remember.
DID they put 396 motors in the GMC version
Drove my 87 yesterday!
You don't see many El Caminos these days and most are mildly or highly modded, but this thing...what a time capsule!
Father owned a couple...Sweet cars
@@bilbobaggins4710 Yup, as long as you have a potent Big Block under the hood, you can do anything you want with it
Yet another example of GM kicking Fords ass in design...The rancheros were butt ugly.. Their trucks sucked too in those days ...We see all kinds of custom Chevy's not too many Fords...The old fat fendererd were sweet but that's about it ... Ford and Chrysler fans love to talk crap but I always come back with the fact that GM produced more noteworthy cars than the other American makers combined
@@bilbobaggins4710 I'm a Mopar guy, but that being said I agree with you completely!!!
My Uncle had one when I was a kid. He took me for a drive, I was so young I had to sit at the front of the passenger seat and hold on to the dashboard to see out the windshield. I think it was on Sea Breeze where he just punched it, it downshifted and just threw me in to the back of the seat. I was pinned there 'til he let off the gas, turned to me, smiled and gave a little laugh. One of my favorite memories. Thanks.
Am I the only one that noticed it has a 10 bolt rear instead of 12 bolt which is what came in big block equipped Chevys?
I did, and no rear sway bar either......
How was just reading down through the comments Figuring I wasn't the only one to notice that. Definitely a 10 bolt.
Just noticed that myself. Wasn't that interested in math in school BUT I can count to 12, and I only counted 10!
Robert Grant actually that's the first thing I noticed. I was just reading to see if anyone had already posted it. It's easy to tell. 12 bolt has 2 bolts ,side by side on bottom.
I noticed right away. So let's hear why it has a 10 bolt and not a 12 bolt unit.
To paraphrase Sha Na Na -- Let's go to the axle hop. Great segment. Many thanks.
I live 170 kilometres from where the car was originally sold! Thanks for sharing! Keep them coming!
Wheel hop: these early chevelles/El Caminos/GM A-bodies were notorious for this! In fact, I busted a diff housing right in half on my high school 68 SS 396 one day while laying into the throttle and didn't have enough sense to back off during violent wheel hop!
We LONG ROOF fans would LOVE to see you guys invest in some more muscle wagons for the collection. Unassuming muscle and style disguised as a rug rat hauler is the ultimate sleeper package, and factory units are rare. There's a big community of station wagon fans out there, kids!
I had a '68 El Camino in the mid 70's. It had a 307 in it and a powerglide. Not a supercar, but did the job for me and was sweet to drive. It had been repainted an electric blue color, and had a blue vinyl interior. IMHO, he best looking year of the El Caminos.
Now THAT is some serious wheel hop during those otherwise superior burn-outs!
Lots of wheel hop during that burnout. El Camino SS 396 owners probably had to put some sandbags or something in the bed in order to get any traction at all. But it doesn't get too much better than an L78 396/375-4 speed combo. Awesome El Camino
What an amazing Chevrolet. I always say that’s the one I would of bought back then. Until next week changes my mind.
The highest output 396 was made in 1965. It was a solid-lifter 425 horse motor. There was a video from the Brothers Collection made on it.
But it wasn't available in 68, like I assume he meant.
I saw a bone stock 1969 L78 396 on an engine dyno and it made 425 horsepower at 6000 rpm. I'm pretty sure the 396-425 that was available in the Corvette and full size cars in 1965 is the exact same engine as this one. They were just more honest about its true horsepower rating in 1965. I could be wrong on that but I'm pretty sure it's the exact same engine as the 1966-69 L78 396-375
@@jeremythompson9122 what happened is that they wanted to underrate the new for '66 427 high performance big block , so it got the 425 hp rating instead of the actual 475 that it was putting out . The 396 dropped to 375 hp without any changes at all . Everybody pulled the same little numbers games .
Super nice! See a fair amount of wheel hop, though.
Bad bushings and shocks...
Wheel hop is because there's no weight over the rear tires.
@@michaelmarks5012 Come to think of it, I can remember an El Camino at Cecil County Dragway in NE Md. back about '79 or '80 taking off with the rear wheels hopping.
Just enjoy the car, and stop complaing you crybaby!!
Nearly every other car featured had period style tires. This had modern radials so no wonder it has axle tramp.
seen 'em back in the day when they were new in an emerald green that I really liked !!!
A very unique and classic American muscle design, very practical for tasks within a work or construction sites. The SS lets other motorists know "Pick on me and i'll give a run for your money!!" Lovely colour scheme and wheel variations. Another Brothers classic indeed!!!!
Great video ! Thanks !!
the best after the 70 ls 6 ss version !
very beautyfull !
all, color and options.
but better with magnum 500 rims !
That’s definitely cool. Is it a car or is it a truck. That’s the question or the day. I’m not sure but that 375 hp 396. Gives it that attitude. Talk about showing up to the job site in style .
Come on Chevy, bring back the El Camino. Would love to see the1969 body style and the 1972 body style, make a come back. Chrome bumpers and all. 👍👍
if they do it will look like a malibu to ugly just keep the elco dead so sad to say that
@@knuckleberry4720 we can dream. 😁
Man, great car. But that wheel hop makes me nervous!
Need to change the pinion angle.😂😂😂 and lower the car
i had one of these had to change lower rear control arms with MAS arms to eliminate wheelhop
non power brakes and steering and 488 gears made it quite a handle to drive
The burnouts are best part
It's a 10 bolt. Check that VIN because '68 was the only year you could tell a fake by VIN number.
Nice one,Kevin. i knew of El Camino's,but didn't know they had SS 396 packages!Learn something worthwhile every now and then.
Awesome! Glad you did a El Camino
Gotta love the Mullet Mobiles....We are finishing up a 69 SS 396 M22 A/C car in Garnet Red. She's 95 percent complete gotta do the Vinal top finish up a few odds and ends. If you need 68 to 72 elco or Body stuff hit me up We have a lot.
Other than the 10 bolt, instead of 12 bolt rear end, I spy a regular El Camino grille. SS 396 had a blacked out grille. 🧐
Who needs fm or am when those exhaust pipes sound like that!
Seafrost Green (code P) is almost silver in color. That's Ash Gold-code G
Nice looking '68 elky! I don't believe it to be a real 138 VIN SS though. All SS's have a blacked out grille and this one doesn't. All SS's have a 12 rear differential and this one does not. The factory assembly manual shows that this vehicle should have G70-14 tires. And nowhere in the factory assembly manual does it show a Chevrolet script installed on the tailgate. Also, all 375 horse engines had a 6000 rpm tach, not the 5,500 tach that this one has. All that being said, it's a really nice elky SS clone with a 136 VIN.
Lots of wheel hop lots of power! 👏
Absolutely need have some ladder bars here! Though it's true that F41 suspension included (OTHER than on El Camino's) a rear sway bar, F41 was NOT a Chevy A-body option in '68.
Buddy of mine back in 69 bought one because at the ime to insure it was only like $50 a month for insurance..boy those were the days
Hahahaha it's all I pay ...Bare bones coverage...fuck greedy insurance companies
Must not have been many in Canada (note Saskatoon dealer plate).
I can see removing and saving those things, but I have never seen how those stick on dealer chrome things add any value to the car. Actually, to me they look out of place.
awesome sound !
Beauty and a beast !
I wish I had one. I’d fit a ladder rack on it and be the coolest mother f’n construction guy around.
this hood design is perfect for a cross-ram manifold !
holy wheel hop!
I spotted bits of rust on the bottom of the tail pipes, and was the rear suspension factory original? Id love to know if this BEAUTIFUL elco 396ss was restored, AT ALL!! Factory original cars a real diamond in the rough
I'm hoping that this is a project car because there are a lot of incorrect parts on it. The rear end is obvious, and the carburetor and fuel line, and the dipstick, and the Chinese brake booster... I love the El Camino. It basically went unchanged from '68 to '72 except for the dash and front sheet metal.
serious wheel hop though
I think you have every excuse to be late on the job site because driving this is so much fun - you always take the scenic route.
At some point in the future, please cover the footwell conversion in the bed, that provided a spot for moonshiners to hide their product. Great episode as always, thank you for doing these!
I used to hide my beer in there in high school!
Where is this you guys are talking about? I can’t see it Lmaoo
The tachometer is called a Ribbon Tach. I love your channel thx for giving us free uninterrupted videos, I support you guys always. Please like and share this video and don't forget to hit the subscribe button people!
Nice one! I rarely see El Caminos anymore.
Holy shit Batman! Somebody swapped the 12 bolt for a 10 bolt!!?
You need some ladder bars! Lol Nice car.
Comment summary: 1) Nice Car 2) Great Burn-out except for the wheel hop 3) Needs ladder bars or sand bags 4) That's a 10 bolt rear end, not 12...and there is no rear sway bar 5) Who are "THE BROTHERS"?!
i had a 1968 El Camino SS396 375 horse only with 4.88 gears had to replace rear lower control arms with solid arms I think MAS made them
Great Ride!
Show vídeo!!! Very good Sir!!
I have the base model, but I'd love to convert it to an SS...
So nice.
Love it and thanks for mentioning the Ranchero was first. Do you, or anyone else here, know if they made any '70 LS6 el Camino's?
4,475 according to hemmings for 1970 and after that they were ls5 454 for 71 and 72
My uncle had the same one but in Marina Blue often said its not a very good truck and a worse car but cool as hell !
Consider adding a in cab camera to catch the scenes for future vids. Nicely made video as always however a 67 is soooo much better looking than the chopped up front end design in 68. My opinion. Keep up the great work and when is the museum opening :)
Awesome burnout!
NOW THAT'S A SUV!!!!
Did you say 230 hp 6 cylinder? I want one.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing
@@231mac HaHa....I think he meant 230 cu in.
👍👍Nice
Awesome vehicle nice motor too
Kevin as always absolutely love your muscle car / pick up you always make interesting shows short and sweet got 2 questions . When you gonna do Hellcat Charger and why does the older cars always have more Torque less HP but Today's cars have more HP and less Torque ? Thanks Kevin as always!
If you're planning another "muscle truck" review, could you please do the GMC Syclone!?
and the Typhoon. These 2 are my favorite
Back in the day few of the ss 396 el Camino were seriously fast on the street or strip...way to light in the back for traction....notice all the wheel hop on this one...
Installing edelbrock traction bars will stop the wheel hop
Lower ssm lift bars will just make it better. My auto 67 did that kicked out to the side...now it plants hooks and goes straight
Love teh way those polyglas tires make so much smoke. lol
once again who are the "BROTHER`S"?
Best comment ever
Some people with deep pockets.....
I believe Kevin said in another video that they wish to remain anonymous.
Couple of old rich white dudes
@@bilbobaggins4710 No if they were "brothers" they must be black!
nasty wheel hop, (typical GM A-body), only had a 10bolt rear end, and no rear sway bar. But, Still a beautiful car, like the goofy tach!!
harleyguyinmilw
Had to be clone missing the obvious and 12 bolt.
My Mom had a 68SS that had the same dashboard in it but it was 325 hp version.
2:10 Wheel hop WOOHOOO!
Sure looks like a 10-bolt diff to me. I know some GM 10-bolts did have 12-bolt ring gears but Chevy used the 12-bolt in all V8’s with a 4-barrel carburetor in 1968.
"Lazier, no job havin Brother".... lol
😍
👀💪🏽👍🏽😎 video rocks!! 🏁🏁🏁
I'm not a Chevy guy but the El Comino was cool
I would be late for work driving this rig. Because the State Police would be pulling my show off, speeding ass to give ne another ticket!!!!😂👍
State po po couldnt catch u
Wish there was a yanko 427 el Camino made
Needs traction control. Maybe needs newer springs/shocks, ladder bars??
Can't be fixed...no rear weight....
The best part about it is that it doesn't have traction control and all the electronics of new cars. The only thing it needs is the pedal to the metal.
@@nikolaystoykov9413 yesssssss 👍
@@nikolaystoykov9413 I know it doesn't have electronics like the newer cars, was trying to say that it just needs ladder bars and such to help with traction.
I know you know it doesn't have it, I was trying to say it doesn't need it. Sure it will lose traction when you floor it in lower gear, it isn't the fastest nor the safest. But that's what's fun about old car. Today it's all about performance and Nurburgring lap times, not about fun and feel.
Missed that rear sway bar.
The grill & headlight bezels should be blacked out as part of the SS package. Missing 12 bolt. Sure would like to know some history on this one...
1969 was blacked out headlight not 68
My close family friend always wanted an 'Elco and one day my brother noticed one super cheap about a two hour drive South of us. He borrowed a roll-back after work, drove down, hit the guy on the price even more and unloaded it a block away from our friends' house in the middle of the night then gave him one of those 'emergency' phone calls. Tears were in his half asleep eyes. We bust his stones asking him about his Ranchero or Brat, but El Camino people are the ones that are usually ready to come pull you out of a ditch or bring the right tire with the right tools if you have a flat. It is more challenging to find a car+truck person that isn't prepared for Doomsday in my experience. Next time you see one, ask the driver for help. I can almost guarantee they can solve any problem or know someone who can. McGuyver's car of choice.
A 230 hp. six cylinder , no twelve bolt rearend and drum brakes were standard equipment in '68 . Disc brakes became standard on all SS vehicles in '69 . Who wrote this script ?
What do you mean they only made 393 of them? Thought they made over 4000 ss396 that year ?
Looks like 8.2 10 bolt not a 12 bolt.
I wonder what its weight distribution numbers were.
230 cid 140 horse power chevy never made a 230 horse power base six
Sorry but my 67 chevelle came with a 230 ci straight 6.
@@richiekow3180 Read his comment again. You two are in agreement.
Didn't see a rear sway bar in the video.
No "A body" El Camino ever came with a rear sway bar. F41 suspension yes, rear sway bar delete.
@@brianduval8664 exactly right .
10 Bolt rear end. Something isn't correct there!
I noticed that also. Should be a 12 bolt.
is this a california exhaust emission air pump car ?
The Chevy guys will never admit it, but Chevrolet took these 396 engines to the Daytona 500 in February of 1969 but their 1969 Chevelle's were plagued with engine problems (Oil pressure issues and failed cranks) and they all failed. The only Chevys to finish the race were a few 1968 Chevelle's, with the best finishing 22nd ..three laps down. Ford took the top two spots followed by a Dodge ..meanwhile, GM immediately discontinued the 396, making 1969 the final production year. And despite retaining the 396 badging on 1970 SS Chevelle's and El Camino's, GM actually revamped the old 396, making it a 402 cubic engine. I drove a couple of these 68 and 69 SS El Camino's with the Muncie 4spd ..and I loved the car ..err truck..
Why would Chevrolet take 396 Chevelles to Daytona in '69 , when they built 427 Chevelles under the COPO program in '69 ?
Nice truck but.. Uuuuuuuhhhh 12 Bolt???? i wonder what happened to it?
Probably broke it with all that wheel hop!
Useless in CA. Men there like mini coopers. Big block to them means something septic related. This car is real detroit muscle.
why the rear axle vibrate like that whuile burnouting?
@port nut nothing to do with bad bushings . Caminos did this from the factory . Putting about 75 psi in the air shocks would help . It's caused by a lack of weight in the rear .
I see a 10 bolt rearend, where is the 12 bolt?
Yeah. I noticed the same thing
I noticed that myself.
He probably broke it with all that wheel hop... Which means that 10 bolt isn't long for this world too!
That car is good at hauling ass.
10 bolt rear end, not a 12 bolt.... Is it a real SS or clone?
Now to you guys in the US this may seem odd, but from this side of the pond (UK) I just don't get Chevelles! The El Camino though, right from the get go, have been super cool. 396 doesn't hurt either!
Go drive a range rover
@@pauljoey7977 not sure I understand that, I drove a 1986 Range Rover once, it wasn't for me ! I would certainly choose an El Camino over a RR.
My point is show me a charger, challenger, gto, Camaro, Cuda etc and it's totally clear why they are muscle car royalty- yet the Chevelle seems to attract a reverence that I don't understand........(except Lucky Costa's;) )
That wheel hop really made me cringe. .
Beautiful under the hood, everywhere else...eh, not my cup of tea.