1970 El Camino SS

I am looking to purchase a 1970 el camono and it has the SS emblems on the side, with a 350 engine, 3 speed stick on the column. In 1970 did this car come with a three speed stick on the column????
My question is, how do I tell if this car is factory or a clone. What information should I look for on the ***le, and vin #. Any other tips.
thanks,
Joey

 

man! Your either funny or just plain stupid.

 

WTF?

 

Back in those days everything on a GM car was a seperate option and box to mark when dealers ordered cars. I saw an almost new '64 Impala S/S on a "turkey lot" IN '64 for $1200 that had 3 on the tree and an in line 6 engine and rubber floor mats and a bench seat.
Probably because the order person didn't understand that marking the "S/S trim package" only got you the badges and nothing else.
So yes, you could get a "stripper" base car with the S/S badges if so ordered.

And, only un-asked questions are dumb questions.

 

look under seat, or gas tank for build sheet, most ss were high horsepower v-8s

 

You are at the wrong place to be asking your question. Go to Chevelles.com, they have many people who will help you. Go to their Tech forum and ask your questions. You will be welcomed there, where you can get more information and not be thrown under the bus. I frequent that site and it's full of great information for the Chevelle/El Camino community. This forum is pretty dedicated to traditional hotrods and it's residents generally frown on off topic questions concerning "new" vehicles.

 

I had when I was 16 a 65 Imp. SS with 3 on the tree , counsel shifter delete plate , 283/2barrel. Also dash mounted vac gauge freaked kids out
Cool car anythings possible . Remember this is a Trad site hope this helps.

 

FWIW, all 70 chevelle/elco SS models had a big block [396 or 454]. vin won't help much, as in 70 and up the ss package was a trim option, where as 69 and earlier, it was an actual body style.

biggest clue will be the dash, if it has a 'square' speedo, it's a clone, if it has 3 big round gauges, could be the real deal with a transplanted sbc.

that's a start, as said, more info on a chevelle dedicated board.

hope this helps.

 

Ive had a few TRUE SS El co's 1970-72 and the SS Round dash could be ordered with a NON-SS car. It was an option to buy for non SS cars. I am also looking for a 70' SS BB car as we speak. Tons of clones, I dont know why ANYONE would clone a car...

 

No SS Chevelle or El Camino ever came with a small block. Plus these all had an SS dash and a 12 bolt Posi Differential wish a rear sway bar.
Your looking at a clone. You can still buy a nice El Camino for around $3000. Keep looking.

 

'64 & '65 did, as did '71 and '72

 

PLUS: the vin will tell you nothing about the options on this year. '64-'67 it will. But in '69 the SS became an option so it was no longer a seperate car. '69-'72 is very easy to clone.

 

Ok yes. The 396 came out in '66 and few Z16 Chevelles were built in '65. But I will not agree on '71-'72 sorry.

 

Another good forum for finding out more information on this car would be www.chevytalk.com They have a whole section devoted to El Caminos and another for the 70-72 Chevelles.

 

I have had a few, currently have a '71, NEVER seen a 70-72 chevelle / elky with 3-column shift. Oh, and all the true SS cars I've had were floor shift. Even that ****py '72 Nova that I just ditched

 

from 66 to 70 the only engine choices were big blocks for ss cars/trucks, starting in 71 you could get a 350,396[402] or the 454. if i remember right, in 71 and 72 to get the cowl induction hood, you had to have a big block, the small block cars got just a 'domed' hood [same hood, just no actual cowl induction]. also, there were atleast two versions of the SS dash, 'full' instrumentation, and 'idiot lights', both with the round pod set up.

 

The front is like a car, the back is like a truck, The front is where you drive, the back is where you........"

 

Me thinks we are being way more helpful due to the screen name of the new member

 

ss cars [chevelles] could be had with a bench seat and column shift [auto], not sure on the three on the tree though

 

AHHH! looky at all the closet muscle car fanatics comin outta the faux grain woodwork!!

 

71-72 Chevelle/Elky was available with a small block in the SS format. Also, the SS may have got a 12 bolt, but POSI or rear sway bar was NOT standard. Now, should I buy a new Nissan/Honda/Toyota now that this site's opened up to newer stuff than it used to?

 

****