1968 Chevrolet El Camino SS396 Matching Numbers Recent Restoration Rare Low Mile

1968 Chevrolet El Camino SS396

Recent Total Cosmetic Restoration
1968 Only Year for SS396 on El Camino

SHOW DRIVER
Restored #2+ Condition
Mileage: 114227

VIN: CA947314
Orig Vin: 13880K139927
(see explanation in detailed write-up below)

Matching Number Original L35 396 / 325 HP
(Broach-Marks Clearly Seen)

Original Turbo 400 Trans

$12000 Paint & Body
(Brand New)

PPG Jet Black Paint
Flat & Shiny

Rechromed Front & Rear Bumpers
($770)
New Front Grille
Original Badges in Good Condition

Power Steering
Power Brakes

Brand New Interior Including
Seat Upholstery

Correct Carpet

Dash Pad
Door Panels

Headliner

Sun Visors

Door Handles
Window Handles
Door Sills
New Rubber & Window Felt
El Camino Mats
Original Steering Wheel

Newly Replaced

Windshield & Rear Window & 1/4 Windows

Gas Tank

Voltage Regulator

Mastercraft Avenger GT Raised Letter Tires

(P235/60R15)
A-Arm Bushings R&R
Sandblast Front-End Components / Powder Coat

Over $30K Invested

VIN DECODE:

138808K139927

13880 - SS 396

1- Chevrolet

38 - SS396

80 - Two-Door Sedan Pickup

8 - 1968

K - Kansas City, Missouri

139927 - Sequential Production Number (matches number on Engine Pad - see pics)

ENGINE DECODE:

T1120ET 18K139927

T - Tonawanda Engine Plant

1120 - November 20

ET - L35/M40 396/325 TH-400

139927 - Sequential Production Number (matches number on Original VIN from factory)

TRIM TAG DECODE:

12A - December - First Week

ST 68 (Year) 13880 (SS396 EL Camino) KAN (Kansas City) 338 (Fisher Body Unit #)

TR 782-A (Antique Med Saddle) C - C (Irmine White) PAINT

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It’s no secret that Chevrolet builds some of the most celebrated trucks on the planet. The second generation of Chevrolet El Camino’s might just be one of the best trucks ever created. Stylish, timeless and usually armed with plenty of power, these Chevys inspire a cult like following and provide one of the most enjoyable ownership experiences on the planet. This Jet Black 1968 SS396 is an amazing classic that, thanks to its rebuilt low mileage 396 V8 is ready for years of endless cruising. Want to park a killer piece of Americana in your garage for less than HALF the price of a ground-up build? Check out this slick Chevy cruiser!

BODYWORK/TRIM

As far as styling goes, few vehicles have aged better than late ‘60s and early ‘70s Chevrolets. In fact, toeing the line between rock-solid and refined, the El Camino is probably one of the most attractive trucks ever built. This one is a very solid canvas that was ready to reflect some smooth finished paint and body work, benefitted from a detailed, body-on restoration which wrapped a striking coat of Jett Black 2-stage PPG into a multi-blocked rust free body.

At the front of the truck, the original grille with SS396 emblazoned in large letters and the familiar blue bowtie hangs above as a sorta hood ornament, amber parking lamps and headlights. At the sides of that grille, a wet looking profile centers chrome door handles and traditional squared mirrors between bold “SS396” emblems and bright marker lamps. Behind the rear window, sits a newly Rhino Lined truck bed.

And at the back of that bed, a chromed in SS396 emblem adorns the tailgate with a chrome bumper and traditional taillights.
I would rate the overall finish on this little truck as a strong 9.7 out of 10. The paint was applied roughly three months ago and was done with great attention to detail. It’s a sturdy PPG Two-Stage that will hold up for many years to come, thanks to the rigorous effort in blocking the body to near perfection and color-sanding the black finish completely flat. The body was prepped by completely stripping it down to the metal, body, door jams and trunk areas were all done to perfection. Zero original white paint is to be found anywhere on this build.

The car had very few dings and only needed minor work to bring the body up to near perfection.

This is a high-dollar paint job done by one of the top restoration gurus in the area. The paint is applied beautifully on an original bodied example, that appears to have never been hit. Take a look at the shut line pictures toward the end of the body pictures and you will see how nicely everything lines up at the doors, front and rear, the hood and the tailgate. Underside of doors show zero rust.

This looks like a completely original bodied SS, that grew up in dry Oklahoma and Southern CA. The undercarriage looks solid and rust free. Again, take a look at the close up pictures.

The Chrome Bumpers are newly replated and a sold 10.

ENGINE

Take a look under the truck’s broad hood and you’ll find the 396 starts right up, runs smooth with gobs of power. The truck is sporting the original manifold and carburetor setup. During the tune-up process all belts, hoses and clamps were replaced. The entire engine was removed to have the engine bay cleaned, stripped and resprayed to its original factory look. Check out the power brake booster and all the nice goodies under the hood. The C4 Transmission shifts crisp and smooth. This is a matching numbers vehicle and we believe the 112K miles on the clock are original to the car.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Naturally, that clean, road-ready mill precedes a clean, road-ready chassis. Everything starts with a sturdy, factory-spec suspension that was partially rebuilt during the truck’s restoration. Power steering makes parking easy and turns are a cinch. Stops are provided by power-assisted drums. And power meets the pavement through a set of rally-style wheels mated to a brand new set of Mastercraft Avenger GT Tires for a nice quiet freeway ride.

The car sounds terrific, with a nice subdued rumble.

INTERIOR

When you pop this pickup’s doors, you’ll find a comfortable cockpit that, in traditional truck fashion, features conservative Black vinyl. Seating is provided by factory bench seating that are wrapped in brand new black vinyl. The seat has been completely rebuilt, providing great support and ultimate comfort. Top dead center, a brand new color-keyed dash. There is no stereo in the dash, but it has also not been hacked up, so the new owner can go old school or modern technology. Brand new headliner, sunvisors

Under that seat, fade-free carpet anchors bowtie-branded floor mats between newly installed chromed sill plates. At the sides of that carpet, restored color-keyed doors with brand new traditional chrome handles. The original three-spoked steering wheel was semi-restored and painted to accent the retro-cool look of the overall interior. The entire interior I would rate at a 9.5, it’s all basically brand new.

The owner’s brother bought this vehicle around 2005 in Oklahoma where we believe it had been it’s entire life, evidenced by the clean, rust-free components of the car. Structurally, I don’t think you could find a nicer vehicle. We believe the car had only been around the clock once because of the condition of the motor and transmission. The original numbers on the stamp pad were a clue that the engine had never been decked or taken apart.

When the brother brought the car back to CA he started the restoration process and then stopped, as it sat for ten years. When they replaced the dash with a new dash they didn’t realize the the VIN number was on that dash and it was discarded. Instead of digging in and doing some research on the car, the DMV simply decided to put a CA VIN number in the car. During our research we found some of the original CA paperwork that showed the original VIN number of the car when it came in from Oklahoma (see pictures). Those numbers are the numbers recorded above and match the numbers on the motor (the last six digits in stamp pad match the Sequential Production Number (the last six digits in the VIN). A California buyer could take the car to the CHP (California Highway Patrol) and have them do a VIN verification matching the number on the engine to what was on the original title when it came into CA.

Without a doubt this is one of the cleanest, nicest restorations I have encountered in a very long time. The car starts up immediately, does not smoke and runs like a swiss watch. The fit and finish is exceptional, the ride quality is superb. I have been a concour judge at many venues here in Southern CA and have been involved in all types of restoration for the past 20 years. This is a really nice #2+ Show/Driver type of vehicle that will be a lot of fun for the new buyer. There are only a couple of small things to get this show ready. I would not hesitate to get in this truck and drive it cross country.

Clean enough to show, comfortable enough to drive and powerful enough to put a smile on your face, this wonderful 396 El Camino offers a little something for every kind of enthusiast. If you’re ready to experience the muscle car era from a different perspective, don’t miss the chance to own this ’68 Chevy El Camino.

I am helping a friend sell this truck and it is available for viewing and test drive if you are in the Southern CA area.

For additional information or questions call Frank at 949-310-6262.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

The car is for sale locally and we reserve the right to cancel this auction at any time before the end of the auction. We do not have a Buy It Now Price listed.

The car will be made available for inspection by serious bidders throughout the auction. Please e-mail us if you would like to see the car. If you prefer, we can arrange to have a qualified, independent, professional mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection for you (at your expense). It is the buyers responsibility to verifythat all of the sellers information and claims about the car are true and correct prior to the sale of the vehicle. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL NOT ACCEPT PAYPAL AS A FORM OF PAYMENT. THIS IS TRUE FOR BOTH THE INITIAL DEPOSIT AS WELL AS THE FINAL PAYMENT.
Winning bidder must contact us within 24 hours of auction end, and make arrangements for payment at that time. A $1000.00deposit is due within 48 hours of end of auction. The deposit can be made by cash (please do not mail cash!), bank check, cashier's check, or bank transfer (preferred). The remainder is due within 7d days of Auction end. The remaining balance must be made in the form of a bank transfer (preferred) Cashier'scheck, or bank check (all forms of payment subject to verification). PayPal will not be accepted as a form of payment for either the deposit or the final payment. If no contact is made within 24 hours we reserve the right to re-list the vehicle, sell it to the next high bidder, or sell it otherwise. Please arrange financing prior to bidding. Once the final balance has been paid, title transfer paperwork will be initiated.
Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. If you wish to have it shipped using a service, we will gladly cooperate, you can locate shippers by doing a search for “auto shippers”. We have relationships with both domestic and international shippers should you need some assistance.

This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to purchase based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle. Please Check My Feedback- I value my 100% positive rating, and will do my best to keep it.

The winning bidder should have the car insured from the time the final payment is made to us. Once final payment is made, we will exercise a generally accepted standard of care, but the buyer assumes all liability and risk once the final payment is made.
Before delivery of the vehicle, the winning bidder must provide a photocopy of a valid driver’s license. Delivery is defined as the time at which physical possession of the car is transferred from us, the seller, to the buyer or the buyers’ agent or chosen transport company.
If you are not sure about something, Please ASK. Do not assume anything not listed is included. We reserve the right to cancel bids for excessive negative feedback. We reserve the right to end the listing if the vehicle is no longer available for sale.