396-Powered 1968 Chevrolet El Camino

Description

“As comfy and powerful as a comparable Chevelle, it’ll take half-ton loads easily and has enough style and class to be parked in front of the Beverly Hilton without embarrassment.” — Hot Rod Magazine, 1968 

The 1968 Chevrolet El Camino marked the beginning of the car-truck model’s third generation and a bold redesign that blended muscle car performance with utility. Built on the Chevelle platform, the ’68 El Camino featured a longer 116-inch wheelbase and a sleeker, fastback-inspired profile. This year also introduced the SS396 model, a high-performance variant that solidified the El Camino’s place in the muscle car world. 

Engine options ranged from a base 230 cubic-inch inline-six to various small-block V8s, including the 307 and 327 variants. The El Camino was available in standard and custom trims, with the latter offering upgraded interior features like carpeting and enhanced upholstery. Production for 1968 reached 41,791 units, and the El Camino continued to outsell its main rival, the Ford Ranchero.  

This 1968 El Camino has been recently restored/rebuilt and is powered by a BluePrint Engines 396 cu-in small-block V8 with a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission and wears fresh black paint with a new interior upholstery, gauges, and stereo. 

Highlights 

• Rebuild under current ownership included: 

  • Finished in black paint with two white racing stripes on the hood 

  • BluePrint Engines 396 cu-in small-block V8 stroker high performance engine rated at 500+ hp on Dynamometer 

  • Aluminum heads 

  • Forged internal engine parts (pistons, connecting rods, and crankshafts) 

  • Racing camshaft  

  • Hedman Hedders performance exhaust headers 

  • Sniper EFI (with computer module to adjust idle) 

  • Rebuilt 700R four-speed automatic overdrive transmission with trans cooler 

  • Console shifter 

  • Black vinyl interior with bucket seats 

  • Billet tilt wheel steering column with two-pitch horn button 

  • Dakota Digital RTX gauges 

  • Electric emergency brake with on/off switch inside the car 

  • Pioneer head unit with a backup camera 

  • Focal ES 100K K2 Power Series speakers up front and behind rear seat 

  • Viper Model 5706V security alarm and two remotes (one operates within a mile radius) 

  • Dynamat sound deadening under the carpet and in rear 

  • Hotchkis suspension 

  • New APG windshield  

  • Hidden headlamps with a slight blue tint  

  • American Racing wheels 

  • Nitto NT555 G2 tires: 245/45ZR18 front, 295/45ZR18 rear 

  • New Optima RedTop Gel battery with new connectors and shut off switch

• The chassis number (136808K160334) decodes as: 

  • 1 – Chevrolet 

  • 36 – Malibu V8 

  • 80 – El Camino 

  • 8 – 1968 model year 

  • K – Kansas City, Missouri, assembly plant 

  • 160334 – Sequential production number  

 Features 

• 160 mph speedometer, digital odometer, and gauges for fuel and votes 

• 8,000 rpm tachometer, and oil pressure gauge 

• Digital clock 

• Originally painted Ash Gold (G) 

Known Imperfections 

• This 1968 Chevrolet El Camino is presented in recently rebuilt/restored condition with no known imperfections at the time of cataloging 

Included 

• 2 sets of keys for the car  

• Locking gas cap with a set of keys 

• Locking glove box with a set of keys 

• Floor mats 

• Book of build receipts (total over $40,000) 

Ownership History 

The California seller of this 1968 Chevrolet El Camino has owned it since December 2022.