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1968 was the first year that an SS El Camino was built. It is also the only year that the El Camino SS was a separate model, and can be verified by the VIN number alone. Starting in 1969, the SS was an option package, added to a "Custom" El Camino model.5,190 1968 SS-396 El Caminos were built.
Owner : Daniel Carr.
VIN # : 138808K198012. (Genuine SS-396 VIN).
HISTORY :
April, 1968:
Manufactured at GM Leeds plant (Kansas City, Missouri).May, 1968 to March, 1993:
Unknown owners. Original white paint covered up with silver. Silver paint covered up with amateur mustard yellow and black job. Amateur engine rebuild and mechanical work. Engine throws two rods, but somehow the number matching block is spared. Another Amateur engine rebuild is performed. Partial conversion from the original blue bench seat interior to a black bucket/console interior.April, 1993:
Purchased by Nth (current) owner, wife hates it.May, 1993:
Sloppy engine rebuild by previous owner becomes apparent, danger of imminent failure, so get expert performance rebuild.June, 1993:
Full conversion to black buckets/console and interior restoration completed.July, 1993:
Previous owner sees it in a parking lot, wants to buy it back (no sale).July, 1993 to December, 1995:
Used as daily driver, replace just about every mechanical part, wife *hates* it.December, 1995:
Mechanical restoration/modifications completed.March, 1996:
Body/paint completed (one new fender, two new quarter panels, lots of other sheet metal and trim work), wife likes it !July, 1996:
Blow by a 5.0 Mustang on the interstate, wife doesn't know.Current:
Driven every week or so (weather permitting), or whenever some serious hauling or towing is required.
FACTORY EQUIPMENT/OPTIONS:
- SS-396 model.
- 396 engine.
- TH-400 heavy duty 3-speed automatic.
- Heavy duty suspension.
- Power steering.
- Power disc brakes.
- 3.07 Positraction rear axle. (12-bolt).
- Tachometer, gauges, and clock.
- Heavy duty radiator.
- Heavy duty alternator.
- Heavy duty battery.
- Tilt steering column.
- Rally wheels.
- Deluxe seat belts (with shoulder belts).
- Dual horns.
ENGINE :
- Original L35 (325 HP) 396 high performance engine, built to L34 (350 HP) specifications (forged steel crankshaft and a high-performance camshaft).
- Original block (Bored 0.030" over).
- Main bearings : Five. (Align bored). (Hardened bearing cap studs).
(Billet 4-bolt bearing caps on the three middle bearings).- Compression ratio : 10.5:1 . (Forged pistons). (Hardened rod bolts).
- Original cylinder heads. (3-angle hardened valves and seats).
- Match ported).
- Forged steel crankshaft. (Entire engine balanced).
- High performance camshaft. (Crane fireball 290-H).
- Roller tip rockers.
- Edelbrock aluminum high-rise dual plane intake manifold. (Match ported).
- Hooker competition headers. (2" primaries). (Match ported). (Header wrap).
- (High performance 3" mandrel-bent aluminized dual exhaust system).
(Crossover pipe and stainless-steel tips).- Edelbrock gear drive.
- Edelbrock high-volume mechanical fuel pump. (Fuel pressure gauge).
- Edelbrock 750 CFM QuadraJet carburetor. (Heat shield).
- High volume oil pump.
- CSI high-torque starter.
- Heavy duty 4-core radiator. (160 degree thermostat).
- High performance HEI distributor. (Adjustable vacuum advance).
(8mm high performance spark plug wires).- J&S electronic knock sensor system. (With timing and air/fuel mixture indicators).
- Vintage Holley water injection system.
- Chrome "Chevrolet" valve covers.
- Custom "Cowl Induction" system.
- Horsepower/Torque: (Est. 400+ HP and 400+ ft-lbs).
- Engine codes : T0415ET (EU), 18K1980__.
(Last digits of engine VIN are weakly stamped).
(Engine assembled on April 15, 1968).TRANSMISSION / REAR AXLE :
- Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic.
- Heavy-duty (performance) rebuild. (Mild shift kit). (Custom pan).
- Variable pitch torque converter. (Driver selectable stall RPM).
(Driver may switch between 1200 and 3000 RPM at any time, in any gear, even while moving).- Original 12-bolt 3.07 Positraction. (Rebuilt). (Chrome cover).
BODY :
- Numerous prior paint jobs included white, silver, and yellow.
- All prior paint removed using plastic media blasting.
- All dents/rust completely removed and replaced with new sheet metal.
- Mirror finish black with custom red SS stripes and metallic
- silver on lower body sides (Sikkens paint).
- Original SS-396 emblems and trim. (All original trim pieces restored and re-installed on vehicle).
- Wheel well trim. (1969 El Camino type).
- Chrome front bumper guards and door edge guards.
- Left and right outside chrome mirrors.
- Custom reflective stripes on tailgate.
- Chevrolet "crossed-flags" emblems on fenders.
- Rear bed area coated with heavy-duty Rhino spray-on bed liner.
- Chrome cargo tie-down hooks in bed area.
- Chrome "Daniel's Chevrolet" emblem on tailgate.
INTERIOR :
- Bucket seats with headrests and console. (Black). (From a 1969 El Camino).
- Shoulder belts.
- Factory gauges.
- Factory "roll" tachometer.
- Factory clock (quartz conversion).
- Factory tilt column.
- Under dash gauges. (Engine temperature). (Oil pressure).
- (Transmission temperature).
- New Cassette stereo. (Custom Autosound model USA-04).
BRAKES / WHEELS :
- Power brakes with 1969 style single-caliper front discs. (Converted to use DOT-5 silicone brake fluid).
- Original 9" rear drums converted to heavy duty 11" drums. (From a 1975 El Camino).
- Original rally wheels with original center caps and trim rings. (powder coated black and red). (7 wheels in all).
- BF Goodrich TA radial tires. (Including spare). (235-70 R15). (red lines added).
- Gorilla chrome locking lug nuts. (20 in all).
SUSPENSION / STEERING :
- Front/rear suspension completely rebuilt. (Using all polygraphite bushings, new ball joints, center link, idler arms, bearings, NOS power steering box, etc.).
- Heavy duty front and rear anti-sway bars.
- Boxed rear control arms.
MISC :
- Heavy duty class III trailer hitch with wiring. (Custom built for this vehicle).
- Custom sliding rear window.
- Heavy duty battery. (With disconnect switch).
- Fog lamps. (Warn brand).
- Locking gas cap.
- Bow-tie key-hole protectors.
TRIM TAG:
- Originally white with a blue bench seat interior.
- Now black with custom red SS stripes, silver lower body sides, and a black bucket seat interior (bucket seats are from a 1969 El Camino).
Trim Codes : |-----------------------------| | | | 04D 7743 | | ST 68-13880 KAN 1113 BODY | | TR 773-A- C-C PAINT | | | |-----------------------------| [ TR 766 D96R A-S PAINT ]A larger image of Dan's 68 is available here.
CREDITS :
Body and Paint : Nice Rides Restoration - Arvada, Colorado.
Mechanical :Pastimes Restoration - Golden Colorado, and Owner.
Engine : Sigy's Machine - Denver, Colorado.
Detailing : Owner.
Logistics and Research : Owner.
If you would like to see your Chevelle featured here, send me a picture and I'll scan it and post it.
Al McKenzie, Box 231, Creston B.C. Canada, V0B-1G0
