1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 454

Description

Cars like this 1970 Chevy El Camino SS 454 always get us excited. Heck, with a matching-numbers LS5, factory A/C, and a stunning restoration, it has to be one of the biggest bangs for the buck we've ever seen. Seriously, if this was a Chevelle, it would cost tens of thousands more than it does, and wouldn't be even half as practical.

When you have something special, you don't cut corners. Obviously, the car has led a good life and ever since it was new, folks have been taking exceptionally good care of this handsome Elky. Living in warm, dry Georgia certainly helps, and following a five-year frame-on restoration, it looks absolutely fantastic. Using the correct code 55 Champagne Gold and black SS stripes, it was stripped, smoothed, sanded, and buffed to its current spectacular condition. There's a cowl-induction hood to feed the big block underneath, correct emblems and SS badges, and yes, they have the vaunted '454' underneath which makes this car all the more intimidating on the street. Perhaps even more unusual is the code H Dark Gold vinyl roof, which few of us have ever seen before, but there it is on the cowl tag and that's the way it was restored. The bed is also beautifully finished, perhaps too nice to ever carry anything again, but given the car's pedigree, you can't fault them for going overboard with the restoration.

The interior is no less remarkable, both in terms of the quality of the restoration and the unusual specification. Saddle buckets are authentic (code 771), but there's no console, giving the interior a pleasing, spacious feeling that's normally lost on El Caminos with dark interiors. The instrument panel is full of factory gauges, including a tachometer, all of which are in such great condition that they have surely been restored. Beautiful new carpets, matching door panels, and a fresh dash pad all add to the factory-new look. You'll also find factory A/C in the dash, factory AM radio, a tilt column, and freshly restored seat belts with optional shoulder harnesses. Tilt the passenger's seat forward to find a correct spare tire with cover, something few El Caminos carry today.

There's no question that whomever spec'd out this unusual El Camino had his priorities straight when he ticked the box for the LS5 454 cubic inch V8. It gives up some horsepower to the LS6, but in terms of drivability, this is the one you really want to own if you like to drive. It also makes power steering and A/C a reality, and with a towering torque curve, there's insane amounts of power anywhere on the tach and shredding the tires takes just a tickle of the throttle. The matching-numbers engine was rebuilt to stock specs and topped with a Holley 4-barrel (the original QuadraJet is included), then dressed like the factory would have done it. Finishes, colors, and all the little details that separate good cars from great ones are here. Underneath, there's an optional F41 suspension, matching-numbers TH400 3-speed automatic transmission, and original 12-bolt with easy-cruising 3.31 gears and a Posi unit inside. Fresh springs and shocks make it ride right and handsome SS wheels carry 245/60/15 front and 265/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials that look awesome in the Elky's wheel wells.

Fully documented with a build sheet, window sticker, Protect-O-Plate, and shipper's invoice, this is one heck of a car. Like I said, if this was a Chevelle, it would be a major player, yet you can own this incredible El Camino for less than the cost of the restoration. Call today!