Pick Of The Day: 1970 Chevrolet El Camino Ss 396

In business, there’s something called the “first-mover advantage,” which suggests (among other things) that your product or service will acquire prime retail recognition with consumers. Our Pick of the Day is an example of a second mover that has become the more recognizable product of its type in the market. This 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396 is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Before the El Camino, there was the Ford Ranchero. Touted as the “hard worker that loves to play,” the Ranchero was “more than a car … more than a truck,” offering car styling, ride quality, handling ease, and practicality with the utility of a truck. Two versions were available, Ranchero and Custom Ranchero, with the latter featuring a fancier interior borrowed from the Del Rio Ranch Wagon (which wasn’t fancy to begin with) and available with “Style Tone” two-tone paint.

Of course, in the greatest of Detroit traditions, Chevrolet introduced its own version of Ranchero. “There’s never been anything quite like the El Camino before it’s an ideal blend of passenger car glamor and truck utility that will add enjoyment to your tasks and status to your business!” said Chevrolet, as if it was the brand that developed this type of “coupe utility.” The truth is that the concept was derived from another Ford, but one in Australia. A two-door coupe with a bed in the rear on a Model A chassis was the formula, though this 1934 “coupe ute” had American origins several years earlier as an unusual “roadster utility” in the 1920s. In 1951, GM of Australia’s Holden produced its first ute; many other competitors followed, including brands from the United Kingdom and Japan.

As Ford transferred the Ranchero to the Falcon series in 1960, that gave the full-size El Camino a market all to itself. With the advent of the 1964 Chevelle, Chevrolet decided to bring the El Camino to that platform — smart, considering Ford followed suit in 1966 with a Ranchero based on the new third-generation Falcon wagon, which shared a platform with the mid-size Fairlane. Interestingly, the same Ranchero received a Fairlane front clip for 1967 and remained a de facto mid-size utility through 1979.

But I digress, as this Pick of the Day is about a Bow Tie. Starting in 1966, Chevrolet began offering a big-block for the El Camino, then gave it Super Sport status in 1968. In 1970, for the first time, the big-block was available in the regular El Camino and those with the SS 396 package. Now measuring 402ci, it was rated at 330 horsepower for the regular El Camino or 350 or 375 horses for the SS 396 (of course, there was the new SS 454, too).

This Astro Blue 1970 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396 shows 91,279 miles on the odometer. Power comes from the 350-horsepower big-block backed by a TH400 automatic. Features on this car include D80 stripes, SS mags, bucket seats, console, clock, air conditioning (though currently removed), power steering, power brakes with front discs, and more. Upgrades include an aftermarket stereo (not yet installed), Moon Eyes tachometer, headers, and Dura-Grip limited-slip differential upgrade with new ring and pinion. “Documentation includes the original build sheet, receipts, and records,” says the seller.

The 1970 Chevelle is one of the most popular automotive collectibles in North America. If you’re an enthusiast and revel in bush life, we can’t think of a better way to spend $42,250 — now it’s your move.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com